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."
Until You Came Along
JJ Heller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But emptiness was beating down the door
Yeah, it rose up like a flood until my dying days were done
They are no more
Nothing makes sense without you
It's like waking up in the dark
I didn't have a song
Falling in love with you was easy
You were always meant to have my heart
I was broken all to pieces
You were there to be the missing part
Nothing makes sense without you
It's like waking up in the dark
I didn't have a song
Until you came
And I never want to go back
To the way things were before
You saved me and you made me yours
Now nothing makes sense without you
It's like waking up in the dark
I didn't have a song
Until you came along
Now nothing makes sense without you
It's like waking up in the dark
I didn't have a song
Until you came along
The lyrics to JJ Heller’s song “Until You Came Along” reflects on the joy and happiness that comes from finding love and companionship in life. The first stanza suggests that the singer, who appears to have been living a life of loneliness and emptiness, was finally able to find happiness with someone. The lines, “I tried to live this life on my own, but emptiness was beating down the door” suggests that the singer attempted to live their life without seeking companionship or love- but in the end, they realized that they could not always battle the emptiness that life brings.
The chorus emphasizes this point by stating “Nothing makes sense without you, It’s like waking up in the dark, I didn’t have a song until you came along.” The second stanza speaks in gratitude of the person who has completed the singer’s life. It mentions that falling in love with the person was easy because they were always meant to have each other in their hearts. The line, “You were there to be the missing part” indicates that this person was the missing piece in the singer’s life.
The song shows that finding a companion and learning to love and have them love you back is not always easy, but it can fill a void in one’s life that is hard to ignore. The final lines, “Now nothing makes sense without you, It’s like waking up in the dark,” emphasizes how empty and dark they felt before this person came along into their life.
Line by Line Meaning
I tried to live this life on my own
I attempted to solely navigate through life without anyone's assistance.
But emptiness was beating down the door
Feelings of loneliness were continuously becoming stronger.
Yeah, it rose up like a flood until my dying days were done
The sensation of emptiness was overpowering enough to potentially last for my entire lifetime.
They are no more
My feelings of emptiness have ceased because of your arrival.
Nothing makes sense without you
My life does not have clarity unless you are in it.
It's like waking up in the dark
My experiences without you are meaningless and unclear.
I didn't have a song
My life had no direction or purpose.
Until you came along
Your arrival was the turning point in my life.
Falling in love with you was easy
Loving you required no great effort on my part.
You were always meant to have my heart
From the start, you were intended to possess my affection.
I was broken all to pieces
I was damaged emotionally and mentally.
You were there to be the missing part
You were the remedy to the flaws and issues that existed within me.
And I never want to go back
I would never like to revert to the way things used to be.
To the way things were before
The situation and emotions that existed prior to your arrival.
You saved me and you made me yours
You rescued me from my issues and made me your own.
Now nothing makes sense without you
My life is incomplete and confusing without you.
It's like waking up in the dark
My experiences without you are meaningless and unclear.
I didn't have a song
My life had no direction or purpose.
Until you came along
Your arrival was the turning point in my life.
Lyrics © AMPLIFIED ADMINISTRATION
Written by: DAVID HELLER, JENNIFER J HELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elizabeth Perry
I walked down the aisle to this song. My first love Jesus ❤️ and the love I was meant to have here on this earth. ❤️
Hayley Guist
Listened to this when it came out and I'm still in love with it.
Michelle leach
I used this as my wedding song. Ill treasure this song forever. I married my heart late in life. Thankyou lord for bringing him along
Kelsey Barnard
I covered this song and I will say its one of my new favorites! I was introduced to you by a friend and I am so glad! Excited to listen to your new album!
Florian Ignacio
I love this song since 2016
olatoye akinboro
So, so lovely!!
Seyda Benderli
Öylesine çıktın karşıma ve harika bir şarkısııın
Retha Mori
How do you write so pretty songs
melodypebbles
❤️
Drew Garcia
😥❤