The first thing you notice about JJ Helle… Read Full Bio ↴By Kierstin Casella (2006)
The first thing you notice about JJ Heller is a wide grin that stretches across her face and welcomes you in as a friend, whether you’ve known her for years or are shaking her hand for the very first time. These days especially, the twenty-five year old west coast native has a lot to be happy about.
In March 2006, she independantly released her third record (scheduled for national release in November 2006), Only Love Remains, showcasing her pure, penetrating voice, and opening the door to a bold new range of songs. JJ, along with her husband Dave (who serves as guitarist, manager, and co-writer) recorded the distinctive album at Nashville’s Sputnik Sound with Grammy-winning producer Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay, Bebo Norman.)
“I found that JJ has an unadulterated approach to song writing. Her songs actually spoke to me, where a lot of Christian music is the same message with different words,” explains Dane. “[JJ and Dave] live their art, and I never felt like they were trying too hard to be something they weren't.”
In addition to JJ and Dave’s prominent talents, Only Love Remains features Bryan Sutton (Dixie Chicks, The Chieftains) on mandolin, guitar and banjo; David Henry (Over the Rhine) on cello; Ben Shive (Andrew Peterson) on piano; Andy Hubbard (Little Big Town, Fernando Ortega) on drums, Aaron Sands (Jars of Clay) on bass; with Jeremy Casella (singer/songwriter) and Andrew Osenga (Caedmon’s Call) on guitars/backing vocals.
Only Love Remains follows Heller’s 2005 EP, Collection of Thoughts, and her debut release, Songs That I Know (2004.)
JJ began her career nearly six years ago at San Jose Christian College where she dabbled in songwriting and performed at local coffeehouses. After graduating, JJ and Dave got married and relocated to Phoenix to pursue music full time. In August of 2006, they moved to Nashville, TN where they currently reside. The combination of Dave’s business sense and creative input, and JJ’s loose artistic style drives their success.
“We’re definitely two halves of a whole,” she explains. “I write the bulk of the lyrics and Dave is the editor and arranger, making the songs more effective. He also does everything on the business side, which is great because it frees me up to be creative.”
For Only Love Remains, the pair focused on a braver songwriting style, departing slightly from JJ’s prior introspective lyrics and exploring story-songs about the lives around them. Musically, they pulled influence from artists like Damien Rice and Over the Rhine, with a lyrical intricacy akin to Patty Griffin. The result is an exceptional collection of songs that is warm and engaging with a little bit of edge.
In writing material for the new release, JJ poured her every day observations into her songbook: stories she heard while traveling, and those nearer to her heart. “This album is all about redemption,” observes JJ. “ Looking back on the songs, there’s a lot of struggle written into them because that’s life. Everyone has different problems to face, but in the end, the outcome hinges on how you deal with those struggles-- if you allow them to destroy you or make you stronger.”
Perhaps it’s her insight and sensitivity that consistently draw a female audience to JJ’s music. She touches on issues of self-image and worry, questions of faith, and feelings of loneliness; her songs resonate with women and offer encouragement. But JJ’s music connects with people from all walks of life. Whether performing in a quaint coffeehouse, at a weekend retreat, or a Sunday morning church service for 1000 people, the Hellers aim to be themselves wherever they go. They maintain a balance of light-hearted humor and poignant dialogue with their listeners.
As an artist, JJ Heller is a mix of eclectic and down-to-earth: from her jeans and t-shirt style to the way she pushes her own boundaries. When it comes to her music, she never settles.
"Music has a way of speaking to my heart like nothing else can," JJ says. "It is my hope and prayer that my songs will somehow speak to my listeners and bring them hope, peace and inspiration."
Only Love Remains
JJ Heller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are breaking me down
So break me into pieces
That will grow in the ground
I know that I deserve to die
For the murder in my heart
So be gentle with me Jesus
As you tear me apart
Please kill the liar
Kill the thief in me
You know that I am tired of their cruelty
Breathe into my spirit
Breathe into my veins
Until only love remains
You burn away the ropes that bind
And hold me to the earth
The fire only leaves behind whatever is of worth
I begin to see reality
For the first time in my life
I know that I'm a shadow
But I'm dancing in your light
Teach me to be humble
Call me from the grave
Show me how to walk with you upon the waves
Breathe into my spirit
Breathe into my veins
Until only love remains
The song "Only Love Remains" by JJ Heller is a powerful invocation of Jesus's mercy and forgiveness. The opening lines of the song, "Scenes of you come rushing through/You are breaking me down/So break me into pieces/That will grow in the ground" speak of the singer's recognition of their own brokenness and need for divine intervention. They recognize that they are deserving of death for the "murder in [their] heart" and plead for gentleness from Jesus as they are "torn apart."
The song then invokes Jesus to "kill the liar/kill the thief in me," acknowledging the singer's shortcomings and asking for those parts of themselves to be eradicated. The singer asks for Jesus to "breathe into [their] spirit/breathe into [their] veins/Until only love remains" as they recognize the transformative power of God's love. The song then closes with an acknowledgement of the singer's newfound humility, recognizing themselves as a "shadow" but able to dance in God's light and asking to be taught to "walk with [Jesus] upon the waves."
Overall, the song is a moving plea for mercy and transformation, highlighting the power of love and the recognition of one's own sinfulness.
Line by Line Meaning
Scenes of you come rushing through
Memories of Jesus flood my mind
You are breaking me down
You're breaking down my defences
So break me into pieces
Shatter me, make me new
That will grow in the ground
So I may blossom and bear fruit
I know that I deserve to die
I'm guilty, I should face punishment
For the murder in my heart
For the sins I've committed
So be gentle with me Jesus
Please be tender with me
As you tear me apart
As you fix my brokenness
Please kill the liar
Destroy the deceit within me
Kill the thief in me
Eliminate the greed in me
You know that I am tired of their cruelty
I'm exhausted by their harmful impact on me
Breathe into my spirit
Revitalize me with your Holy Spirit
Breathe into my veins
Infuse me with your divine life
Until only love remains
Until every part of me is consumed by love
You burn away the ropes that bind
You free me from all that keeps me tethered to earthly things
And hold me to the earth
And keeps me grounded in this life
The fire only leaves behind whatever is of worth
Only what has true value remains after your refining fire
I begin to see reality
I begin to see the truth
For the first time in my life
For the first time I see things clearly
I know that I'm a shadow
I realize my own insignificance
But I'm dancing in your light
But I'm rejoicing in your love and grace
Teach me to be humble
Show me how to have a meek and lowly spirit
Call me from the grave
Revive my soul from its deathly slumber
Show me how to walk with you upon the waves
Teach me to have faith and trust in you during life's storms
Breathe into my veins
Fill me with your life-giving breath
Until only love remains
Until I am transformed and all that's left is love
Contributed by Matthew W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jordyn
Absolutely beautiful. No words left to say.
Christi W
This is the first song I heard of yours when you came to my church years ago. It brought me to tears it is so beautiful. Im going through hard times financially and have been listening to your music to get me through and I thank you for that. It brings me peace to help me be a better mom in these hard times. Send us prayers and keep making beautiful music, you are wonderful.
Gayle Christensen
Just seeing this 2 years later, but I pray that you are doing much better. I pray financial blessings and shalom into your life. In the Mighty Name of Jesus.
Maverick
JJ is back! Appreciated your other fun songs, but was missing that voice that speaks to my heart. There's a paradox in JJ's voice and lyrics - there's power and truth and wisdom, but there's also a vulnerability that I like. The honesty of this song touches my heart. Thank you.
Maverick
+Les Bonham Ok, this is embarrassing. I just discovered that Only Love Remains was put out in '06. I'd never heard of JJ Heller then. Does anyone know how I can get the sheet music for this song, since I'd like to sing it with some others?
Rochelle Horo Maihi
I Hurd this guy say these words on shine t.v I was like I must hear it again ...
Gnahoré Mymy Christian
Memories 😍❤🙏🏽