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 youâve 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 Nashvilleâs Sputnik Sound with Grammy-winning producer Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay, Bebo Norman.)
âI 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,â explains Dane. â[JJ and Dave] live their art, and I never felt like they were trying too hard to be something they weren't.â
In addition to JJ and Daveâs 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 (Caedmonâs Call) on guitars/backing vocals.
Only Love Remains follows Hellerâs 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 Daveâs business sense and creative input, and JJâs loose artistic style drives their success.
âWeâre definitely two halves of a whole,â she explains. âI 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.â
For Only Love Remains, the pair focused on a braver songwriting style, departing slightly from JJâs 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. âThis album is all about redemption,â observes JJ. â Looking back on the songs, thereâs a lot of struggle written into them because thatâs 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.â
Perhaps itâs her insight and sensitivity that consistently draw a female audience to JJâs 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 JJâs 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."
Where I Land
JJ Heller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But here you are in front of me
So full of light I watch it overflow
A lovely mystery
And I am lost for words
You're more than I deserve
Did you know
When you hold me in your arms the way you do
It feels like coming home
And I am lost for words
You're more than I deserve
And when I cannot stand
You are where I land
And when the years have stolen youth away
I will stay
You will be the keeper of my heart
Until my final day
And I am lost for words
You're more than I deserve
And when I cannot stand
You are where I land
Where I land
Where I land
In JJ Heller's song "Where I Land," the singer is in awe of someone who has captured their heart, even though they are not what the singer expected. The subject of the song is "full of light" and "a lovely mystery" that has left the singer "lost for words." Despite feeling undeserving of this person's attention and love, the singer is enamored with them and recognizes the way in which they stir the singer's soul. The singer feels at home in this person's arms and knows that when they cannot stand, this person will be where they land. This person is the keeper of the singer's heart until their final day, demonstrating a deep and abiding love.
The imagery in this song is powerful and poetic, capturing the feeling of being completely overwhelmed by another person's love. The metaphor of "stirring up my soul" speaks to the way in which this person has awakened something deep within the singer, while the metaphor of "where I land" suggests that this person is the singer's anchor in times of trouble. The repeated refrain of "lost for words" emphasizes the singer's inability to express just how much this person means to them, creating a sense of awe and wonder. Overall, this song is a beautiful tribute to a powerful, life-changing love.
Line by Line Meaning
You're different from the way I thought you'd be
You don't match the preconceived idea I had of you.
But here you are in front of me
Despite the difference, you are present and right in front of me.
So full of light I watch it overflow
You radiate light, and I'm humbled by how much you possess.
A lovely mystery
You are full of wonder, and I'm fascinated by it.
And I am lost for words
You inspire me so much, and I have no words to express it fully.
You're more than I deserve
You exceed my expectations, and I'm unworthy of your goodness.
You have a way of stirring up my soul
You move me deeply in ways that I can't explain.
Did you know
I wonder if you're aware of the impact you have on me.
When you hold me in your arms the way you do
The way you embrace me makes me feel safe and secure.
It feels like coming home
Being with you is like being in a place that feels like home.
And when I cannot stand
In times when I'm weakened or struggling,
You are where I land
You are my support and anchor, and where I find solace.
And when the years have stolen youth away
As time passes and I age, and lose my vigor and vitality,
I will stay
I will be loyal and committed to you.
You will be the keeper of my heart
You own my heart, and I trust you to keep it safe and whole.
Until my final day
I will cherish you until my last breath.
Where I land
You are my support where I find refuge.
Lyrics © AMPLIFIED ADMINISTRATION, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID HELLER, JENNIFER J HELLER, MATTHEW PERRYMAN JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@itzblk_koriandr
This song makes me INSTANTLY emotional đ â€
@forepan9981
I love this song!!! Please don't stop writing beautiful songs and continue inspiring more Christians.
@91lutz
I used to sing this song to my niece when she was first born. She is now 6 years old. It took me 4 hours to remember this songâhad to go back to my old laptop & search the song in my files. Thank God I did!
@jaybabel3528
This is one of my mom's favorite songs. Whenever we have the blessing of hearing it, she and I will dance to it :D Thank you so much for this beautiful song. Please continue to create in your life, and know that it has positively changed the life of one family out there.
@elisagomez326
Glory to God. Thanks JJHeller for this beautiful song. Grettings from RepĂșblica Dominicana. :-) God bless
@mirasfanfiction
I keep coming back to this song. Thank you for it.
@Rafiya25
Miraculous Ladybug Fanfiction I'm like own of your most loyal fans so when you made a new fan fiction for this I had to search it up!! You made good choice to pick this song can't wait to hear the fan fiction you wrote for this beautiful song.
@kaylinscarlett
Rafiya Chowdhury Same!!!
@crystalcaverns6042
You are so awesome!!!!
@rethamori4848
You are where I land JJ Heller