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."
Someday
JJ Heller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Warming your callused skin
The ropes will come undone
No more wars left to win
Someday my dearest friend
Someday though I don't know when
Oooo you will live in peace.
Your battered heart will soar
Your wounds turned into wings
No one will keep the score
You wouldn't care anyway
Someday my dearest friend
Someday though I don't know when
Oooo you will live in peace.
May you see redemption
On this side of heaven
May you see redemption
On this side of heaven
May you see redemption
On this side of heaven
My friend
Someday my dearest friend
Someday though I don't know when
Oooo you will live
Someday my dearest friend
Someday though I don't know when
Oooo you will live in peace
JJ Heller’s song Someday is a song about hope, redemption and the eventual peace that one can find after going through a lot of trials and painful experiences. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who has been through war, battles, and hardships both internally and externally for a long time. The song speaks about how someday, their struggles will be over – the ropes will be undone, there will be no wars left to fight, and the sun will shine on their calloused skin.
The song is written as a message of hope to a friend who is struggling and trying to keep their head above water through trying times. They portray a picture of a person who will one day find peace even though the singer doesn’t know when that will be. The song is a message of motivation to the friend, urging them to hold on a little longer and believe that they will one day find the peace and contentment they so desperately crave.
Overall, Someday is a touching song that speaks to the human desire to find hope and fulfilment in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. The hope that is portrayed in the song represents a fundamental human longing that we all carry within us.
Line by Line Meaning
One day you'll feel the sun
There will be a day when you stop feeling darkness and start feeling light again.
Warming your callused skin
When the sun warms your skin, it'll fill you with a warmth that you have been yearning for.
The ropes will come undone
All of your struggles and hardships that have kept you tied down will finally come to an end.
No more wars left to win
At some point, all of the battles you've fought will be over and there will be no need to fight anymore.
Your battered heart will soar
You'll feel weightless and free when your heart is no longer weighed down by the pain you have gone through.
Your wounds turned into wings
The wounds that you have may have hindered you before, but they will turn into strength and help you to fly high.
No one will keep the score
When you live in peace, there is no need to keep track of who owes who what or who has done what to who.
You wouldn't care anyway
When you've reached a point of true and complete peace, grievances no longer hold importance.
May you see redemption
I hope that you find absolution for any wrongdoings or mistakes in your life.
On this side of heaven
I hope that redemption comes to you in this life, not just in the afterlife.
My friend
I care about you deeply and want the best for you.
Someday my dearest friend
One day in the future, I hope that you find true and complete peace.
Someday though I don't know when
While I don't know when this moment will come, I know that it will.
Oooo you will live
You will be truly alive and not just going through the motions.
Someday my dearest friend
One day, you will be able to call yourself my dearest friend in complete sincerity.
Someday though I don't know when
I don't know when this day will come, but I do believe that it will come.
Oooo you will live in peace
Finally, you'll be able to live without the weight of the world on your shoulders and find peace.
Contributed by Gabriella S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@melissar3392
"May you see redemption on this side of heaven" 🙌🧡
@biggkidd41
I love it
@ellenseeking-truth4892
So BEAUTIFUL.. thank you and God Bless you!
@Jay-bx3dh
someday..my heavenly father!😇
@biggkidd41
Hey I love it
@biggkidd41
ya
@biggkidd41
ya