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."
When I'm With You
JJ Heller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something changes
It's the strangest feeling
The things that used to matter
They don't matter to me
When I see you
And you're smiling
How my heart aches
You make me believe in love
I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you
When I hear you, and you're crying
It resonates, Dear
In a place I didn't know was there
You make me believe in love
I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you
Beautiful baby
You're sweeter than strawberry pie
Just like the morning
Your smile brings the sunshine
I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you
I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you
JJ Heller's song "When I'm With You" is a love song focused on the transformative power of a relationship. The lyrics describe the feeling of being in love and how it changes the way that the singer perceives the world around them. The song opens with the lines, "When I hold you in my arms, Love/Something changes/It's the strangest feeling/The things that used to matter/They don't matter to me." This set of lines perfectly captures the sudden shift in perspective that can come with falling in love.
The chorus of the song emphasizes this feeling of transformation, with the lines, "I could never count all the ways/That you change me, Baby/Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue/When I'm with you." The singer is expressing their amazement at how much their partner has changed them and how much joy they bring into their life. This is reinforced in the following verse, when the singer talks about how their heart aches with the sight of their partner smiling.
The closing lines of the song focus on the beauty and sweetness of the singer's partner, with the lines "Beautiful baby/You're sweeter than strawberry pie/Just like the morning/Your smile brings the sunshine." Overall, this song is a celebration of the transformative power of love and the way that it can change a person's perspective on life.
Line by Line Meaning
When I hold you in my arms, Love
I feel a change in myself as I embrace you
Something changes
There's a transformation that happens within me
It's the strangest feeling
The sensation is unusual and hard to explain
The things that used to matter
What I cared about before
They don't matter to me
Are not as important as they once were
When I see you
Catch sight of you
And you're smiling
Wearing a happy expression
How my heart aches
I feel a deep emotional pain
So full it is about to break
It's almost too much to bear
You make me believe in love
I have faith in the concept of love because of you
I could never count all the ways
I can't tally up everything
That you change me, Baby
How much you alter me as a person
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
Each day feels richer and more vibrant
When I'm with you
When I spend time with you
When I hear you, and you're crying
When you're upset and weeping
It resonates, Dear
I can feel it deeply within me
In a place I didn't know was there
In a part of me that was previously hidden
Beautiful baby
You're a stunning and wonderful person
You're sweeter than strawberry pie
You're sweet and delicious
Just like the morning
Like the start of a new day
Your smile brings the sunshine
Your grin brightens up everything
Lyrics © AMPLIFIED ADMINISTRATION
Written by: DAVID HELLER, JENNIFER J HELLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@trinilgupitakasihchahyanin2888
"When I'm With You"
When I hold you in my arms, Love
Something changes
It's the strangest feeling
The things that used to matter
They don't matter to me
When I see you
And you're smiling
How my heart aches
So full it is about to break
You make me believe in love
I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you
When I hear you, and you're crying
It resonates, Dear
In a place I didn't know was there
You make me believe in love
I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you
Beautiful baby
You're sweeter than strawberry pie
Just like the morning
Your smile brings the sunshine
I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you
I could never count all the ways
That you change me, Baby
Every day the sky is a deeper shade of blue
When I'm with you
@sarahevans1816
I use to think this was just a cute love song. Then the first time I heard it after I had my daughter, it hit me, and made me cry. Such a different meaning now.💜
@Csibi14
I am expecting my first baby and whenever I listen this song I cry ❤️🤰🏻🥰
@feliciawilkinson6052
Had the exact same experience. I knew the song, but after I gave birth to my firstborn (son) this song said it all for me! ❤
@theloopsy1232
😢 Yeah, I dedicated this song to my kids! ❤❤❤❤
@GuadalupeGuacamole
This song has so many wonderful meanings and speaks so many of life’s wonderful events!!!❤️❤️❤️
Thank you JJ!
@ianspackman886
This song hits me the most, this was the song I danced with my mom on her wedding with my new dad when I was 7. It will always remind me of that night and makes me appreciate my mom so much. Love you mom ❤
@MarilynABinay
This is a BEAUTIFUL lullaby!!! So sweet!! :)
@julianaju3142
Three years ago, i sang this song with my 4 best friends to our english teacher on her last day as our teacher... it was her favorite song... i miss this times sooo much! This song just bring me back good memories..❤😭
@adzperbearlm4646
I'm gonna sing this to my future baby. I just love it so much. <3 Beautiful song.
@sammiejarrett6101
Adzperbear LM )