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."

True Things
JJ Heller Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm not the clothes I'm wearing
I'm not a photograph
I'm not the car I drive

I'm not the money I make
I'm not the things I lack
I'm not the songs that I write

I am who I am
I am who I am

There are true things inside of me
I have been afraid to see
I believe, help my unbelief
Would you say again what you said to me
I am loved and I am free
I believe, help my unbelief

I'm not the house I live in
I'm not the man I love
I'm not the mistakes that I carry

I'm not the food that I don't eat
I'm not what I'm above
I'm not my scars and my history

There are true things inside of me
I have been afraid to see
I believe, help my unbelief
Would you say again what you said to me
I am loved and I am free
I believe, help my unbelief

To your love I'm waking up
In your love I'm waking up

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to JJ Heller's song True Things encourage listeners to embrace their true identity and worth beyond external factors. The opening lines "I'm not the clothes I'm wearing, I'm not a photograph, I'm not the car I drive" emphasize that these things do not define who we are as individuals. Similarly, the lyrics "I'm not the money I make, I'm not the things I lack, I'm not the songs that I write" further convey the message that our value cannot be determined by external possessions or achievements.

The chorus of the song, "there are true things inside of me, I have been afraid to see, I believe, help my unbelief, would you say again what you said to me, I am loved, and I am free, I believe, help my unbelief," encourages listeners to recognize the true things about themselves that they may have been afraid to embrace. The repeated phrase "I believe, help my unbelief" indicates that this process of self-discovery and acceptance may not be easy, but it is possible with the help of faith and belief in oneself.

Overall, the lyrics of True Things promote the idea that individual worth comes from within and that embracing one's true self is key to living a fulfilling life.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm not the clothes I'm wearing
My choice of clothing does not define who I am.

I'm not a photograph
I am not a static moment captured in a picture.

I'm not the car I drive
The car I have or don't have does not determine my worth.

I'm not the money I make
My income does not reflect my entire identity.

I'm not the things I lack
Not having certain possessions does not make me any less of a person.

I'm not the songs that I write
The music I create is not all that I am.

I am who I am
I am a complex being with unique and valuable qualities.

There are true things inside of me
There are important parts of me that I have been too scared to acknowledge.

I have been afraid to see
I have been closed off and fearful of accepting parts of myself.

I believe, help my unbelief
I have faith in a greater purpose, but I still struggle to fully trust it.

Would you say again what you said to me
Please remind me of the affirmations and encouragement you have given me before.