Steel Pulse originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, Birmingham, and comprised David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals) and Ronnie McQueen (bass).
However, it is Hinds who, as songwriter, has always been the engine behind Steel Pulse, from their early days establishing themselves in the Birmingham club scene onwards. Formed in 1975, their debut release, 'Kibudu, Mansetta And Abuku" arrived on the small independent label Dip, and linked the plight of urban black youth with the image of a greater African homeland. They followed it with 'Nyah Love' for Anchor.
Surprisingly, they were initially refused live dates in Caribbean venues in the Midlands because of their Rastafarian beliefs. Aligning themselves closely with the Rock Against Racism 1 organisation, they chose to tour instead with sympathetic elements of the punk movement, including the Stranglers, XTC etc.: "Punks had a way of enjoying themselves - throw hordes at you, beer, spit at you, that kind of thing".
Eventually they found a more natural home in support slots for Burning Spear, which brought them to the attention of Island Records. Their first release for Island was the 'Ku Klux Klan' 45 rpm, a considered tilt at the evils of racism, and one often accompanied by a visual parody of the sect on stage.
By this time their ranks had swelled to include Selwyn 'Bumbo' Brown (keyboards), Steve 'Grizzly' Nesbitt (drums), Fonso Martin (vocals, percussion) and Michael Riley (vocals). Handsworth Revolution was an accomplished long playing debut and one of the major landmarks in the evolution of British reggae.
However, despite critical and moderate commercial success over three albums, the relationship with Island had soured by the advent of Caught You (released in the US as Reggae Fever). They switched to Elektra, and unveiled their most consistent collection of songs since their debut with True Democracy, distinguished by the Garveyeulogising 'Rally Around' cut.
A further definitive set arrived in Earth Crisis. Unfortunately, Elektra chose to take a leaf out of Island's book in trying to coerce Steel Pulse into a more mainstream vein, asking them to emulate the pop-reggae stance of Eddy Grant. Babylon Bandit was consequently weakened, but did contain the anthemic 'Not King james Version', which was a powerful indictment on the omission of black people and history from certain versions of the Bible.
Their next move was id Hinds of Steel Pulse to MCA for State Of Emergency, which retained some of the synthesized dance elements of its predecessor. Though it was a significantly happier compromise, it still paled before any of their earlier albums.
Rastafari Centennial was recorded live at the Elysee Montmarte in Paris, and dedicated to the hundred year anniversary of the birth of Haile Selassie. It was the first recording since the defection of Fonso Martin, leaving the trio of David Hinds, Steve Nisbett and Selwyn Brown.
While they still faced inverted snobbery at the hands of British reggae fans, in America their reputation was growing, becoming the first ever reggae band to appear on the Tonight television show. Their profile was raised further when, in 1992, Hinds challenged the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission in the Supreme High Court, asserting that their cab drivers discriminated against black people in general and Rastas in particular.
Drummer Steve "Grizzly" Nisbett (15 March 1948 – 18 January 2018) died in 2018.
The band are still recording and touring.
Bodyguard
Steel Pulse Lyrics
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You get scared and you start to panic
A who got a gun
A who got a bomb
A who got a knife
A who's gonna lose their life
So-called leaders with deceitful faces
Corruption in a high place
Your hands filled with bribes
Your mouth pours out lies yea
Cause of all oppression now
Running for protection
Bodyguard I wouldn't like your job
Snakes in the grass say they know not God
Polytricksters drinking human blood
A concrete heart can hold no love
I just can't sorry for the bodyguard
Bullet-proof vest strapped to your chest
Under your collar is getting hot
A who got a gun
A who got a bomb
A who got a knife
A who's gonna lose their life
Bodyguard I wouldn't like your job
Snakes in the grass say they know not God
Polytricksters drinking human blood
A concrete heart can hold no love
You fretting, you sweating, you checking
Hey hey no feel no way
I just can't sorry for the bodyguard
A who got a gun
A who got a bomb
A who got a knife
A who's gonna lose their life
Bodyguard I wouldn't like your job
Snakes in the grass say they know not God
Polytricksters drinking human blood
A concrete heart can hold no love
I just can't sorry for the bodyguard
So watch it all you presidents Boo
Heads of government Boo
Mash down parliaments Boo
I just can't sorry for the bodyguard
I just can't sorry for the bodyguard
All that fretting
All that checking
All that searching for assassin hey!
The lyrics to Steel Pulse's song "Bodyguard" critique those in positions of power, particularly political leaders, who must rely on bodyguards for their own safety. The opening lines describe the fear and panic that arises whenever these leaders are in the public eye, wondering who might have a gun, bomb, or knife and who could lose their life as a result. The chorus expresses sympathy for the bodyguards themselves, recognizing how difficult and dangerous their job is. However, the song also points out that many of those in power are corrupt and deceitful, as evidenced by their hands filled with bribes and mouths pouring out lies. The second verse expands on this theme, using the metaphor of "snakes in the grass" and "polytricksters drinking human blood" to represent the insatiable appetite for power and control that can corrupt those in high places. The chorus repeats once again, emphasizing the concrete heart that can hold no love.
Overall, the song highlights the paradoxical nature of power - those who hold it may seem strong and invincible, yet they also require protection from potential harm. The bodyguard, in turn, must be ever-vigilant and prepared to risk their own life in order to keep their charge safe. However, the song also points out that this need for protection can stem from a system that is corrupt and misguided, making it difficult to feel sorry for those who benefit from it.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time you meet the public
Whenever you face the public
You get scared and you start to panic
You become afraid and start to panic
A who got a gun
Who is holding a gun
A who got a bomb
Who is carrying a bomb
A who got a knife
Who is in possession of a knife
A who's gonna lose their life
Who is at risk of losing their life
So-called leaders with deceitful faces
Leaders who are not trustworthy
Corruption in a high place
Corruption in positions of power
Your hands filled with bribes
You are accepting bribes
Your mouth pours out lies yea
You are lying, constantly
Cause of all oppression now
The root of all oppression
Running for protection
Searching for protection
Bodyguard I wouldn't like your job
I would not want to be a bodyguard
Snakes in the grass say they know not God
Untrustworthy people are denying faith
Polytricksters drinking human blood
Politics is full of people who will harm others
A concrete heart can hold no love
Being tough and unyielding makes it hard to be kind
I just can't sorry for the bodyguard
I cannot feel sympathy for bodyguards
Bullet-proof vest strapped to your chest
Wearing a bullet-proof vest to protect oneself
Under your collar is getting hot
Feeling the pressure of the job
You fretting, you sweating, you checking
You are anxious, worried and are constantly checking for danger
Hey hey no feel no way
Do not worry about it
So watch it all you presidents Boo
Warning the government heads
Heads of government Boo
Government heads
Mash down parliaments Boo
The parliament needs to be restructured
All that fretting
All that worry
All that checking
Constant checking for possible threats
All that searching for assassin hey!
The perpetual hunt for an assassin
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: David Robert Hinds
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind