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.
Go Tell Them
DeGarmo & Key Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Breakin' away from the chains
All of the pain from the past is now healin'
The spirit is moving again
(Chorus)
I hear somebody saying to me
"You know what the world needs to be free
Jesus is all that you need"
I see the world from a new point of view
Since Jesus took over in me
Turning my eyes from the lies of fools' wisdom
Watching them fall in the sea
Paradise lost is the cost of your freedom
Pain is the prize you receive
I'm here to say there's a way to see Eden
Look to the Son and believe
In DeGarmo & Key's song "Go Tell Them," the singer expresses their internal struggle of breaking free from the chains of the past and the pain it caused. They have found new hope, and the spirit is moving in them. In the chorus, they hear someone telling them that Jesus is all they need to find true freedom. They must get up, get out, and go tell others about it.
The lyrics continue with the singer reflecting on their new perspective since Jesus took over their life. They can see through the lies of the foolish wisdom that once held them back, and they watch as those same people fall into the sea. The cost of freedom is paradise lost, and the prize is pain, yet there is still a way to find Eden. The singer encourages others to look to the Son and believe.
Overall, the song is a powerful testimony of spiritual transformation and the importance of sharing that transformation with others. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency and passion, urging listeners to take action and spread the message of Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
No way to tell you the things that I'm feelin'
Unable to communicate the emotions that are filling me up.
Breakin' away from the chains
Breaking free from the shackles and restrictions of past experiences and negative emotions.
All of the pain from the past is now healin'
The past has been a source of suffering, but now there is a sense of healing and restoration taking place.
The spirit is moving again
The Holy Spirit is bringing new life and vitality to the artist.
I hear somebody saying to me
The artist is receiving a message from an unknown source.
"You know what the world needs to be free
The message is about what is required for the world to be free.
Get up, get out, go on and go tell them
The message is to take action and share the truth with others.
Jesus is all that you need"
The truth that needs to be shared is that Jesus is the key to freedom and fulfillment.
I see the world from a new point of view
Jesus has given the artist a fresh perspective on the world around them.
Since Jesus took over in me
Jesus has taken control of the artist's life and transformed them from the inside out.
Turning my eyes from the lies of fools' wisdom
The singer has been liberated from the deception of worldly wisdom and has turned their focus to the truth.
Watching them fall in the sea
The artist sees those who cling to foolish ideas losing their footing and plunging into destruction.
Paradise lost is the cost of your freedom
True freedom always comes at a cost, often involving the loss of something valuable.
Pain is the prize you receive
The road to freedom involves pain and sacrifice, but it is ultimately worth it.
I'm here to say there's a way to see Eden
The singer is confident that there is a path to a better way of life.
Look to the Son and believe
The key to that better way of life is found in Jesus Christ and requires a deep trust and faith in Him.
Contributed by Ethan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Leland Johnson
Song rocked my world as a teen in '79, spoke my sentiment and motivated me to do what this song said to others in my little world at school and on the job...
James Edgar
First heard this on the "greatest hits" record from 1987, "Streetrock." This song - well, the version from "No Turning Back LIVE" - was on that compilation, which introduced me to D&K's work prior to 1983. Old stuff was just as good as the later stuff.
Anthony Branch
I've read somewhere in comments someone saying that D&K were one of the tightest bands they'd seen live--and that included Yes and Rush. You're right, the quality of the music, especially on "This Time Thru" and "Straight On", WAS unparalleled in CCM of the time. STILL great, 4 decades later!
Steve Pauwels
My opinion: D&K's first three albums are nearly peerless in the world of "Contemporary Christian music". The originality and quality of their early efforts -- esp. considering they were recorded thirty-five to forty years ago -- still stuns me. This is not better-than-nothing, just-getting-by, schmaltzy music for Christians who were willing to accept anything as long as it sang about salvation, heaven, the Bible and had drums and a 4/4 beat -- this stuff compares favorably to some of the best music of that day -- "secular" or otherwise. These guys were truly in a class by themselves.
Steve Pauwels
Instrumental starting about 1:53 -- wow. Top shelf stuff. Were any "Christian" bands of that era playing anything that could touch this? Not just "rock music", but instrumentals of this creativity, elegance and skill? Just asking.
Anthony Branch
Steve, at the time this first arrived in record stores in '79, there was NOTHING else like it in Christian music. D&K's unique blend of rock and sophisticated jazz rhythms was, and still is, very special. So glad you enjoy it, too.
Slappy McSlapster
RIP Dana....we're still listening!
Anthony Branch
Amen to that!
TomBeetle Bailey
This was the first Christian Rock song I performed as a New Christian drummer.