The group was a Memphis, Tennessee based Christian rock group that started professionally in 1977 as "The Christian Band" before changing moniker. The primary members were keyboardist Eddie DeGarmo and guitarist Dana Key.
Key handled most lead vocals with gruff voiced DeGarmo occasionally taking a turn at the mic as on "Livin' on the Edge of Dyin'" from their second release, 1979's STRAIGHT ON. Other members over the years have included John Hampton, David Spain, Max Richardson, Terry Moxley, Joe Hardy and Ken Porter in the 70s. The 80s saw Tommy Cathey on bass, Greg Morrow on drums as well as Tony Pilcher on rhythm and second lead guitar. Membership has also included Kevin Rodell (drums), Chuck Reynolds (drums), Steve Taylor (guitar) (not Steven Roland Taylor) and Mark Pogue (guitar).
The band was nominated for seven Grammies and five Dove Awards during its over two decade tenure before dissolving in 1995. The group's final show was in 2008 at Illinois' Cornerstone Festival. Key passed away on June 6, 2010.
Destined To Win
DeGarmo & Key Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With light in their hearts
And love in their eyes.
You don't have to worry
When the mountains seem of infinite size.
There is One who goes
Before you to calm the sea.
His people to victory.
We are Destined to Win
We're surrounded by His Love
And guarded by His power.
Destined to Win
Following the Lord
Until the battles over.
We are Destined to Win
We all get discouraged
When the pressures of life
Start weighing us down
We've learned that in His footsteps
Crosses in life must preceed the crowns.
There is One who goes before you
To calm the sea.
There's a King who leads
His people to victory.
We are Destined to Win
We're surrounded by His Love
And guarded by His power.
Destined to Win
Following the Lord
Until the battles over.
We are Destined to Win
We've got to remember
It's our destiny to win in the end
With Christ on our side
We are Destined to Win.
We are Destined to Win
We're surrounded by His Love
And guarded by His power.
Destined to Win
Following the Lord
Until the battles over.
Destined to Win
We're surrounded by His Love
And guarded by His power.
Destined to Win
Following the Lord
Until the battles over.
We are Destined
We are Destined
We are Destined to Win
"Destined to Win" is a powerful Christian song that encourages listeners to hold on to their faith even when faced with overwhelming obstacles in life. The song reminds us that, with God by our side, we are destined to be victorious in all that we do. The first verse addresses those who have "light in their hearts" and "love in their eyes," and assures them that they need not worry when they encounter the "mountains" of life. Instead, they are told to trust in the One who "goes before you to calm the sea." The second verse acknowledges that everyone gets discouraged at times, but the message remains the same: with God's help, we can overcome anything we face.
The chorus repeats the message that we are "Destined to Win," surrounded by God's love and guarded by His power. The lyrics encourage us to keep following the Lord, even when the battle is not yet won. The bridge reminds us that our destiny is to win in the end, with Christ by our side.
Overall, the song is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith in our lives. We are encouraged to keep going, even when we feel overwhelmed, because we know that we are destined to win in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
This songs to all the people
This song is for anyone who has an open heart and love in their eyes.
With light in their hearts
For those who carry positivity and optimism inside.
And love in their eyes.
For those who can see and spread compassion in the world.
You don't have to worry
You should not be anxious or fearful, even when facing immense obstacles.
When the mountains seem of infinite size.
Even when the problems ahead seem insurmountable and never-ending.
There is One who goes
There is a divine being working for us and with us
Before you to calm the sea.
This deity will clear the path for us and help us navigate the challenges that life throws our way.
There's a King who leads
There is a higher power, a king in a metaphorical sense, that watches over us and guides us towards success.
His people to victory.
This king helps their loyal subjects, i.e. us, emerge victorious in life's battles and challenges.
We are Destined to Win
We are meant to succeed in life and achieve our goals.
We're surrounded by His Love
Our lives are enveloped in the affection and care of God.
And guarded by His power.
God's power and protection create a shield around us, keeping us safe and secure.
Following the Lord
We should keep our faith in God and follow the path they have set for us.
Until the battles over.
We must keep going in life until we have achieved success and the victory is definitive.
We all get discouraged
Sometimes life can deflate or sap us of our spirits and energy.
When the pressures of life
When facing the many obstacles life can throw our way.
Start weighing us down
When they become too much for us to handle or handle alone.
We've learned that in His footsteps
We must remember that following the example set by our God is the way to overcome and deal with the weight of the world.
Crosses in life must preceed the crowns.
The trials and obstacles in life are the challenges we must face before we can be rewarded or achieve success.
We've got to remember
We should keep in mind and not forget.
It's our destiny to win in the end
Our fate, our ultimate condition or future outcome, is success.
With Christ on our side
With God by our side, assisting us or working with us.
We are Destined to Win.
Overall, we must always remember that our destiny is success and our God is there to help us achieve it.
Contributed by Reagan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@shavais33
Today I played Heroes of the Storm on my computer in our den while my son watched. He likes to do that, sometimes. The game is a 5 on 5, real time team PVP battle filled with almost non-stop harrowing action. It usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes to play a match.
I played a bit of D&K on my on my phone while I maneuvered my avatar in the game, and fought the enemy team alongside my teammates for all I was worth, and my son danced around. I'm not sure what made me think of D&K, I haven't played them for a very long time.
The battle was back and forth and up and down. Chaotic. Things were dancing around being about even. I wasn't sure whether or not my team and I were going to win. But recently, I'd suffered several losses, and the game is very streaky. Often my losing streaks run quite a number games in a row. My son seemed quite emotionally invested in this particular round. For some reason in that moment it reminded me of.. the back and forth, chaotic battle going on right now for the soul of our nation and for that of the world. For the soul of my son; for the soul of humanity. And it reminded me of the battle playing out in my family, as we are facing a time of.. a bit of adversity.. we're more-or-less being forced to leave our home and move out of the state and.. land at least temporarily in some.. somewhat less comfortable circumstances. Temporarily. Hopefully very temporarily.
At a late point in the match, my son said "You're losing!" and indeed, it was hard to deny. But I had a feeling about this moment. The thought occurred to me to play this song, and just take it on faith that my team and I would end up winning the match. The same way I'm taking it on faith that things will turn out alright for my family and for our nation and for the world. Eventually. Somehow, some way. One way or another, God will not let absolute hell befall us.
I thought "Oh, that's presumptuous. God does not take sides in electronic sports matches! That's silly and stupid and unfair and maybe even evil." But I want my son to know God the way I do. To Know that he can take things on faith and sometimes see miracles happen. (I'm not a "name it and claim it" guy. Not by a long stretch. "Unless the Lord builds the house, the laborer's labor in vain." But there is no question that the Lord speaks to us and does things. All the time.) So I asked the Lord if it would be alright, I and I felt like he gave me a resounding "Yes", so, I parked my avatar in a safe-ish spot for a few seconds, did a quick search on my phone and started this song.
The thought occurred to me that quite a bit was riding on this awfully selfish little leap of faith I was indulging in: "What are you doing? Why are you playing this song?" my son asked. "You'll see. Watch."
Well. Not only did my team and I win, but the singer was singing the final phrase "we .. are .. destined.. to win!" just as the enemy core exploded. It blew up right at the very second that word "win" was sung. The enemy core blew up, and played out it's death fanfare animation while that word "win" was being sung, and the giant "victory" sign displayed. Then as the cheering sounded, the game displayed a big picture of my avatar, with the sign "MVP" (most valuable player) over the top. You who read this may not believe it, but it happened exactly that way. It would be.. impossible to make that happen that way on purpose. Not possible. Sure not for me, anyway! My son could not believe his eyes. He looked at me wide eyed and mouth agape. I smiled at him. Yes indeed. God speaks. And does stuff. Just because he loves us. All the time.
And my friends, my brothers in Christ, Hear This Word - Though The Enemy Rises, We Are Destined To Win.
@ScottAtkins-kx8yw
I absolutely LOVED Degarmo & Key, as a teenager. I became a Christian in the mid-80's and a dear friend gave me 3 cassette's (remember those?); Mylon Lefevre and Broken Heart, Stryper, and Degarmo & Key. D&K was the music I fell in love with. They had a bluesy, Michael McDonald sound, with hard rock to back them up.
As I watched this video, I noticed that it was filmed at the Embassy Theater in Fort Wayne Indiana. The marquee, the interior, and the building (when the boy turns the corner) are all things I see on a daily basis. It's a beautiful theater that still maintains the 1920'2 art deco style. The Embassy attracts some big name acts who don't always want to play in a stadium. (This isn't a plug for the Embassy. It's just an awesome place to watch a concert or a play).
I am saddened that Dana Key passed away. But think about the band in Heaven right now. Dana Key, Mylon Lefevre, Rich Mullins, etc. all praising God with their talents.
@USCG.Brennan
Great song from yesteryear....too bad our current "Contemporary Christian" stations have forgotten them..... The messages are the same. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday today and forever!"
@dougolson608
I agree with you whole heartedly. I've seen them live back in the 80s. And, you're right. The Christian radio stations need to dig back into this era of music and put it on the air. I don't want to knock today's Christian music, but it is not the same as the great stuff of the 80s and 90s. I like some of today's music, but honestly so much of sounds almost the same, and for me is hard to relate to. The great Christian bands "back in the day " had the instrumentals,vocals and lyrics that really grabbed you deep down. Petra, Servant, Sweet Comfort Band, PFR, Audio Adrenaline. Whiteheart, Stonehill, Russ Taff, Keaggy, Stryper, Newsboys. I could go on and on. People who are too young to know this music are missing out on a gold mine. We need a revival of righteousness today, and also a revival of Classic Christian music. I believe that this music could help re fuel revival in people's hearts today. Any people on Christian radio listening?? Bring it back, PLEASE.
@USCG.Brennan
@@dougolson608 I've contacted KLOVE and other of my local Christian stations and they say that playing these older songs (like new Christians have ever heard them before) might cause them to change stations because of unfamiliarity! I reminded them that any time they put on a NEW song that it is unfamiliar to their audience too and could cause them to change the station then also......no answer, just crickets!!
If they played like 2 or 3 a day and asked for listener response they'd know for sure.....There were some GREAT songs (like the one above) that would fit right in today and they're being forgotten while these same stations are playing the same newer songs over and over and over again all day long.....makes no sense to me. ;-(.
@dougolson608
That bit about potentially losing listeners because of unfamiliarity with the songs makes ZERO sense, like you say. Anytime new music comes out it's unfamiliar. The flip side is these songs have great potential to inspire listeners and give them something fresh like they've never heard before. As they say, "nothing ventured, nothing gained". In secular music we have a wide range of stations. Classic rock, oldies, 70s &80s. 80s &90s, classic country. I'm going to bet that these stations that play "classic " music get more listeners than the ones thats play the music ( if you can even call it that) of today. In the secular music world you don't see the great bands and groups of past decades kicked to the curb and their music forgotten, receiving no air play. Instead their talent and musical innovation is highly respected and continually played so that it never is forgotten. Why our Christian stations won't do the same is beyond me. I work with a young Christian half my age, and when I play the classic groups that we grew up with (that he hasn't even heard of) he's amazed, and loves it. In my opinion a GREAT ministry opportunity is being ignored. I'm at a loss to make sense of it
@USCG.Brennan
@@dougolson608 I hear ya.....and here's another GREAT classic that should be played today for all of us!! How can this be FORGOTTEN?? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72SdY1bhTC0&ab_channel=ehrldawg
@flbadbikerboy
This band was truly one of the GREATS!! I grew up listening to this band along with Petra, Michael W. Smith, White Cross, Whitehead, Daniel Band, Rez Band, Stryper, Barren Cross, Disciple, Nine Lashes, Sent By Ravens and so many others. I was sadened to hear when Dana Key passed away. The good news is I will see him one day because of Jesus sacrifice on the cross!! Thank you Dana for sharing your awesome voice and guitar playing with the world. Thank you Ed DeGarmo to for your talent. You two and your band were truly amazing and gifted by God!!
@dalemunkres6915
Not only talented but strong in the faith. Sometime in the early 80s our youth group invited D&K to our small town of Lynden Washington. Mind you, this was a very small dairy community with not much of a venue for concerts. Well, to much of our surprise not only did they agree to come but Jesse Dixon agreed as well! The song 'Destined to win' was a major hit during this time. Once they arrived, we all pitched in to assist the crew with off-loading equipment and when completed we had probably the best potluck our Moms had prepared! It truly was a blessing and amazing to think that such a popular Christian group would take us up on our invite...it was sad to hear that Dana Key and a bit later Jesse Dixon had passed. But knowing where they are now is comforting. I will never forget the time we got to fellowship with these guys. Special Shout Out of Thanks to Harv Vandergriend for making that concert happen!
@jamescunningham6249
Thank you for sharing this great story! Dana's wife also passed less than two years after him from pneumonia. I always wondered what took Jessy Dixon from us, as it was kept under wraps by his family. However, it does not matter because they are with God now in His kingdom far away from the mess we have down here!
@fredvegerano9607
When artists held the name of the Lord on high and were not ashamed of the gospel...sadly like the "christian artists" of today...who put $$$ and fame first before God himself!
Beautiful video...timeless and outstanding!