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."
The Last Time
JJ Heller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Daylight braking through
Daylight fades
Truth defeats my love for you
This day feels wrong
I know I can't talk to you
I must be strong
And I cannot decide
Where my heart will abide
Close to you is comfortable
And safe
But just not right
And I cannot take much more of this
My heart is hanging by a thread
I'm tired of listening to my head so
Please
Make this the last time
I face the world alone again
Oh how I miss my closest friend
But soon we'll see the evidence
He promises a happy end
So even thought my heart feels out of my control
I know that I can say it is well my soul
So take me through this shadowland
I pray that you will hold my hand
And teach me to be who I am in you
In "The Last Time," JJ Heller sings about the struggle of letting go of a former love, but also feeling peace in the knowledge that there is a happy ending promised for those who trust in God. The opening lines juxtapose the fading daylight with daylight breaking through, symbolizing the fight between light and darkness within the singer. Truth ultimately defeats her love for the former partner, as she acknowledges that it’s time to move on. She knows that speaking to the former partner would be wrong, and so she must remain strong and avoid any temptation to go back to him. This is a difficult decision for her because being with him feels comfortable and safe, but not right. She concludes that she cannot take any more of this and begs for this to be the last time.
Furthermore, in the last stanza, the singer references the shadowland, which could represent the murky and uncertain period between the end of one phase and the start of a new one. She asks God to hold her hand and guide her through this period while teaching her to be who she is in Him. The song closes with a note of hope, as the singer resolves to trust in God and find peace even when her heart feels out of control. Essentially, the song is about the struggle to let go of a former love, the pain of facing the world alone again, and the solace found in believing in a higher power.
Line by Line Meaning
Daylight fades
The day has ended
Daylight braking through
The day is beginning
Daylight fades
The day has ended
Truth defeats my love for you
Facing the truth has made me realize my love for you isn't true
This day feels wrong
Something doesn't feel right today
I know I can't talk to you
I can't confide in you
I must be strong
I need to be strong and resist the urge to reach out to you
Or I might run back to you
Otherwise, I may give in and go back to you
And I cannot decide
I am conflicted
Where my heart will abide
Where my heart truly belongs
Close to you is comfortable
Being with you feels safe and familiar
And safe
But it's not right for me
And I cannot take much more of this
I can't handle this situation for much longer
My heart is hanging by a thread
My emotions are fragile and vulnerable
I'm tired of listening to my head so
I'm exhausted from trying to reason with myself
Please...
I'm pleading for help
Make this the last time
Let this be the final goodbye
I face the world alone again
I have to face life on my own
Oh how I miss my closest friend
I miss the person I used to confide in
But soon we'll see the evidence
Things will become clearer in time
He promises a happy end
God promises a joyous future
So even thought my heart feels out of my control
Although I can't control my emotions
I know that I can say it is well my soul
I can have peace in my spirit
So take me through this shadowland
Guide me through this difficult time
I pray that you will hold my hand
I pray for strength and guidance
And teach me to be who I am in you
Help me find my true identity in Christ
Contributed by Elijah P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@graceibuan5551
It's the sunlight through the curtains
Morning pushing back the night
It's your faces in the kitchen
Little moons of borrowed light
On your tiptoes always reaching
For something bigger than you are
It's holding you and knowing
That I've caught a shooting star
I know it won't always be like this
Eyes are open, I don't want to miss
These ordinary days
These ordinary days
In a million little ways
You make me want to stay
In these ordinary days
It's the way you feel the music
Spinning like the falling leaves
You are poetry in motion
And you want to dance with me
I know it won't always be like this
Eyes are open I don't want to miss
These ordinary days
These ordinary days
In a million little ways
You make me want to stay
In these ordinary days
Oh, the days are moving slowly
But the years go by so fast
Let me linger in these moments
Before they turn into the past
How I want to make them last
These ordinary days
These ordinary days
In a million little ways
You make me want to stay
In these ordinary days
These ordinary days
In a million little ways
You make me want to stay
In these ordinary days
In a million little ways
You make me want to stay
In these ordinary days
@BeckyBabbes
Sending love to all the mama’s who struggle with day to day, it’s not easy but we are all doing the most important work! The ordinary days are the best and I will forever be thankful for them
@katherinevanderveen1669
The tears couldn't stop flowing while I listened to this beautiful song. The days are long but the years are indeed short. Thank you for the gentle reminder to treasure the ordinary moments with my precious family ❤️
@deborahbertone9460
DITTO ❤️🙏🌈❤️🙏!!!!!!!
@MarinaPshichenko
Same - just bawling and am already missing my babies being babies 😭😭😭
@ramonagarner1401
I agree completely. Sitting here wishing I had treasured more and been aware of, how quickly they pass and you can't go back to grab them back up. Thank you for the beautiful reminder.
@RachelMakcha
I am crying here, thinking of all the wonderful days spent with family... Mom Dad, sisters, brother.. Playing, cooking, eating together, praying together.. Days went by so quick.. Growing can actually make you look back and realise how blessed you are. Can't wait to go Home and have quality family time ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️✨
Such a beautiful song, capturing all so ordinary with extra ordinary memories ✨
@JamieR
You're incredibly lucky to have that! I'm glad you manage to cherish all those wonderful moments 😊I find it so beautiful when music can make us reflect on our lives. Making us appreciate how unique and incredible it is to be alive. Even when things get hard, maybe even especially then.
JJ Heller is just so incredibly good at writing music that has so much deep meaning and value. I absolutely love it!
@marylawson8797
Needed this today. 3.5 year old knocked over a lamp and glass everywhere. Tired, needing to cook dinner, dad just home... and we lost our patience. But the ordinary days are most all of what we have. I need to cherish them.
@pollackmorgan3149
How are you doing 😊👋☺️☺️
@acuity1980
Bless you 🙏