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.
Ready Or Not
DeGarmo & Key Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You better give all that you've got
'Cause when you hear the trumpet sound
You're already off the ground, ready or not
If your diary is not all what it should be
You'd better rearrange the plot
'Cause in the twinkling of an eye
Time has come to change from cold to hot
By the time you see Him there
You'll be flying through the air, ready or not
So if you're waiting for just the right occasion
You'd better give your finest shot
You got no time left to lose
Turn to God or sing the blues, ready or not
If you're not living like you should be living
You'd better give all that you've got
'Cause by the time you see His face
You'll be on your way to space, ready or not
Time has come to change from cold to hot
'Cause in the twinkling of an eye
There'll be Jesus in the sky, ready or not
Ready or not, ready or not
Ooh, ooh, ready or not
By the time you see Him there
You'll be in the middle of the air, ready or not
Ready or not, ready or not
Ooh, ooh
The lyrics to DeGarmo & Key's song "Ready Or Not" suggest a warning to listeners that they need to start living as they should be living before it is too late to see Jesus in the sky. The lyrics express urgency and the need to turn to God before it's too late. The song encourages believers to give their best and make necessary changes in their lives. The line "Time has come to change from cold to hot" implies that it is time to start taking things seriously and making change happen.
The song emphasizes the idea of being "ready or not" for the second coming of Christ. The second coming of Christ is believed to be a significant event for most Christians, and the lyrics of this song suggest that if one is not ready, they will be caught off guard. As a Christian song, "Ready Or Not" serves as a reminder that we need to live our lives in readiness for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're not living like you should be living
If you're not living according to the standards of a christian life
You better give all that you've got
It's time to give your all and change your ways
'Cause when you hear the trumpet sound
When the Second Coming of Jesus Christ happens
You're already off the ground, ready or not
There will be no time for preparation when Jesus comes
If your diary is not all what it should be
If you have been living a life contrary to how Christ instructed in the Bible
You'd better rearrange the plot
You should change your ways in the present
'Cause in the twinkling of an eye
When the Second Coming does occur
There'll be Jesus in the sky, ready or not
You should be ready for judgement on that day
Time has come to change from cold to hot
It's time to change your ways
By the time you see Him there
You will not have a chance to make things right when judgement day comes
You'll be flying through the air, ready or not
Being judged by Jesus and going to either heaven or hell
So if you're waiting for just the right occasion
If you are waiting for some motivation to make the change
You'd better give your finest shot
You need to make the change right now
You got no time left to lose
It's now or never
Turn to God or sing the blues, ready or not
Either turn your life around or suffer the consequences
'Cause by the time you see His face
At the moment of the Second Coming
You'll be on your way to space, ready or not
You'll be going to heaven or hell, depending on your actions in life
Ready or not, ready or not
You need to be ready for judgement day, whether you are prepared or not
Ooh, ooh, ready or not
Get ready, because judgement day is coming
By the time you see Him there
There is no time to prepare
You'll be in the middle of the air, ready or not
You will be judged and already on your way to either heaven or hell
Ready or not, ready or not
You must be prepared for judgement day
Ooh, ooh
Get ready for judgement day
Contributed by Mackenzie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lyn Revelle
I heard them play this songfor the first time in A concert in St Louis,Mo. and I got to talk to them too. Great Musicians using Gods Gift to make Jesus Music
Madmok128
I can’t believe I know all the lyrics still
I got into this band when I was maybe 6 or 7 back in 86/87. first concert i’ve ever been to.
john carpentier
favorite album by them
Yehmiyah CHURAN
wonderful
The Best Music Mix
Good tune...
Bill Compeau
Apparently this album is out of print, cannot find it anywhere, very sad as this is one of their best albums imho
Jim Johnson
Our father fliying on a white horse through the sky wow 😲 I believe he can
Tim Cowgill
so true so true.
Rick
So early 80's Christian music. haha
Rick Whitaker
Are they still singing? Rick.Mary Arkansas!