DeGarmo and Key was the first Christian rock group to be nominated for a Gr… Read Full Bio ↴DeGarmo and Key was the first Christian rock group to be nominated for a Grammy for Best Gospel Performance, Contemporary or Inspirational (for 1980's THIS AIN'T HOLLYWOOD) and were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2010. Additionally, they are notable as the first CCM industry outfit to see airplay on MTV via a video for "Six, Six, Six" (from their release COMMUNICATION).

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.

Heat It Up
DeGarmo & Key Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You wanted to love, but you didn't know how
That's okay, it's up to you now
It got so bad to where I wouldn't allow
But no more, it's up to you now

Let you go so you could go
Go to town
It's up to you now (uh uh uh)

It's up to you now (uh uh uh)

smoke cigarettes and you act like a clown if you want
It's up to you now
You do what you like and now you wonder why they're gone
It's up to you now

Let you go so you could go

Let you go so you could go
It's up to you now

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to DeGarmo & Key's song "Heat It Up" convey a sense of empowerment and personal responsibility within a romantic relationship. The opening lines suggest that the person the singer is addressing wanted to love, but perhaps lacked the knowledge or skills to do so effectively. Despite this, the singer assures that it is now up to that person to take charge and make the necessary changes.

The following lines indicate that the situation had deteriorated to the point where the singer felt the need to control or restrict the other person's actions. However, the singer declares a shift in attitude and relinquishes that control, allowing the other person to be free and express themselves. This newfound freedom is emphasized by the repetition of "It's up to you now."

The mention of smoking cigarettes and acting like a clown represents the other person's freedom to make their own choices, even if they seem unconventional or eccentric. The lyrics seem to suggest that the singer no longer feels responsible for the consequences of those choices. The final lines reiterate the sentiment that the other person's actions and the outcome of the relationship are now their responsibility.

Line by Line Meaning

You wanted to love, but you didn't know how
You had the desire to love someone, but you lacked the understanding of how to do it.

That's okay, it's up to you now
It's alright, the responsibility of figuring it out now rests on you.

It got so bad to where I wouldn't allow
The situation became so difficult that I had to set boundaries and not allow certain things.

But no more, it's up to you now
But from now on, the decision-making power is in your hands.

Let you go so you could go
I released you so you could pursue your own path.

Go to town
Explore and experience new things to the fullest extent.

It's up to you now (uh uh uh)
You are now solely responsible for making decisions and taking action.

It's up to you now (uh uh uh)
You hold the power to determine the course of your own life.

Smoke cigarettes and you act like a clown if you want
If you choose to smoke cigarettes and behave foolishly, it's entirely up to you.

It's up to you now
The responsibility and consequences lie in your hands.

You do what you like and now you wonder why they're gone
You pursued your own desires and now you question why the people you cared about have left.