By Kierstin Casella (2006)

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 Pretty & The Plain
JJ Heller Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You found me in the garden
I was crying over your grave
It sounded like music when you spoke my name

I know you came for the pretty and the plain
I hear you calling out my name
I know you came for the sinner and the saint
And I will never be the same

The first time that you saw me
I was wrestling demons on my own
You gave me my freedom
And I will never be, never be alone

CHORUS

Hallelujah, I will never be the same
Hallelujah, amen

Hallelujah, I will never be the same
I will never be the same

Overall Meaning

The song is an emotional piece that explores themes of grief, loss, and redemption. The opening lyrics describe the singer's emotional state as she visits the grave of someone who has passed away. However, her emotions take a turn when she hears the voice of someone who has come to comfort her. The second verse touches on a similar theme, with the singer describing her initial state of emotional turmoil before discovering the freedom and comfort that has been offered to her.

The chorus is the emotional heart of the song, with the singer proclaiming that she will never be the same following her encounter with the person who has come to comfort her. This encounter appears to have had a profound spiritual impact on the singer, as evidenced by the repeated use of the word "Hallelujah."

Overall, the lyrics suggest a message of hope and healing in the face of loss and sorrow. The singer has found solace in the presence of someone who she believes has come to heal her emotional wounds and offer her a new sense of purpose and meaning.

Line by Line Meaning

You found me in the garden
The time and place where the singer met the addressee in their life.

I was crying over your grave
The singer had been mourning a loss before meeting the addressee.

It sounded like music when you spoke my name
The addressee holds a special place in the singer's heart, and even their verbal recognition of the singer uplifts them.

I know you came for the pretty and the plain
The addressee helps and accepts anyone- regardless of their physical or societal characteristics.

I hear you calling out my name
The addressee is still very present in the artist's life and their guidance and support is still felt.

I know you came for the sinner and the saint
The addressee is someone who is seen in this song as accepting all, whether they have wronged or not.

And I will never be the same
The singer has been positively impacted and influenced through their interaction with the addressee and is forever-changed.

The first time that you saw me
Reflects on the moment the addressee and speaker first met, and likely the beginning of a journey of growth.

I was wrestling demons on my own
Refers to the struggles and hardships the artist had been going through before meeting the addressee.

You gave me my freedom
Through their actions, the addressee helped liberate the artist from the hardship they had been facing.

I will never be, never be alone
The singer knows they will never truly be without the addressee in their life.

Hallelujah, I will never be the same
A joyful proclamation of the positive impact the addressee has had in the artist's life.

Hallelujah, amen
A phrase of praise or agreement in response to the previous line.

I will never be the same
Reinforces the idea that the addressee's impact on the singer is everlasting.

Contributed by Addison H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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