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.
Babylon Makes The Rules
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A weh dent a go sek
'cause
My people are in a mess
But nobody wants to know
'cause when you're down and out and oppressed
Lowest of the low
So keep your distance and take your stance,
'cause this could be your utmost chance.
You've had all night and day to
Consider and pray
You've brought fire on my head and
Now you must pay.
CHORUS
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Where my people suffer...
Take Rastaman culture for instance,
Dem think is political joke,
But we people know better then that,
'cause what keeps us together is
Jah Herb that we smoke
I and I know the truth of it all,
'cause we have smashed our heads
'gainst that wall,
And now I seh we must create a scene,
We must recapture our culture
By any means.
CHORUS
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Where my people suffer ...
Count the times we've been let down,
And left us in despair,
And woe betide that evil man,
Who giveth not a care.
You've gotta check yourself just
One more time,
Reassure your mind -
'cause those who are chosen
By the father's hand
Must not get left behind.
Rasta seh - guidance
(4) But Backrah seh different still
Babylon makes the rules but
Jah love will carry I home.
The lyrics of Steel Pulse's song "Babylon Makes the Rules" depict the frustration and anger felt by the oppressed people who are being controlled by the power-hungry Babylonian system. The first verse of the song refers to the impending arrival of the time of reckoning when the people will have to face the consequences of their actions. The lines "My people are in a mess, But nobody wants to know" suggest that the authorities have turned a blind eye to the plight of the people. The second verse focuses on the significance of Rastaman culture and the importance of Jah Herb that brings them together. The lyrics encourage the listeners to make a stance against the oppressive system and take back their culture by any means.
The chorus, "Babylon makes the rules, where my people suffer" highlights the notion that the ruling powers are in control of the people's lives, and the people can't do anything about the situation. The song calls for the people to stand up and fight against this oppressive system by creating a scene, and the necessity to recapture their culture by any means. The lyrics ask the listener to introspect and ensure that they don't get left behind, as those chosen by the father's hand must reassure their minds.
One notable aspect of the song is the use of the term "Babylon." In Rastafarian culture, Babylon refers to the oppressive system consisting of greed, corruption, and exploitation of innocent people. The song highlights the significance of Rasta culture and the importance of Jah Herb, used to bring the people together.
Line by Line Meaning
(2) A weh dem a go do when the time comes around
What will they do when the time comes?
A weh dent a go sek
What haven't they sought?
'cause
Because
My people are in a mess
The artist's people are in a difficult situation
But nobody wants to know
No one is interested in helping
'cause when you're down and out and oppressed
Because when you are in a difficult situation
You've got to fight your battles from the Lowest of the low
You must struggle with very little resources
So keep your distance and take your stance,
Stay away and take your position
'cause this could be your utmost chance.
This may be your last opportunity to act
You've had all night and day to Consider and pray
You've had a lot of time to think and pray
You've brought fire on my head and Now you must pay.
You have caused problems for me, and now you must pay the price.
CHORUS Babylon makes the rules Babylon makes the rules Babylon makes the rules Babylon makes the rules Where my people suffer...
The oppressive system is responsible for the suffering of the artist's people
Take Rastaman culture for instance, Dem think is political joke, But we people know better then that, 'cause what keeps us together is Jah Herb that we smoke
People outside of Rastafarian culture do not understand it, but the culture is held together by the use of marijuana
I and I know the truth of it all, 'cause we have smashed our heads 'gainst that wall, And now I seh we must create a scene, We must recapture our culture By any means.
The singer knows the truth because they have faced the reality of the oppressive system. They believe the culture must be reclaimed at any cost.
CHORUS Babylon makes the rules Babylon makes the rules Babylon makes the rules Babylon makes the rules Where my people suffer ...
The oppressive system is responsible for the suffering of the singer's people
Count the times we've been let down, And left us in despair, And woe betide that evil man, Who giveth not a care.
The artist and their people have been let down and abandoned too many times by those who should care.
You've gotta check yourself just One more time, Reassure your mind - 'cause those who are chosen By the father's hand Must not get left behind.
One should check themselves and their intentions, as those who are chosen must be protected from harm.
Rasta seh - guidance
Rastafarians believe in guidance
(4) But Backrah seh different still
Someone referred to as Backrah disagrees or has a different opinion.
Babylon makes the rules but Jah love will carry I home.
The oppressive system is in power, but the artist believes that love from Jah will guide them to safety.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SELWYN DELRAINZE BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Blackpilloverdose
A weh dem a go do when the time comes around
A weh dent a go sek
'cause
My people are in a mess
But nobody wants to know
'cause when you're down and out and oppressed
You've got to fight your battles from the
Lowest of the low
So keep your distance and take your stance,
'cause this could be your utmost chance.
You've had all night and day to
Consider and pray
You've brought fire on my head and
Now you must pay.
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Where my people suffer...
Take Rastaman culture for instance,
Dem think is political joke,
But we people know better then that,
'cause what keeps us together is
Jah Herb that we smoke
I and I know the truth of it all,
'cause we have smashed our heads
'gainst that wall,
And now I seh we must create a scene,
We must recapture our culture
By any means.
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Where my people suffer ...
Count the times we've been let down,
And left us in despair,
And woe betide that evil man,
Who giveth not a care.
You've gotta check yourself just
One more time,
Reassure your mind -
'cause those who are chosen
By the father's hand
Must not get left behind.
Rasta seh - guidance
But Backrah seh different still
Babylon makes the rules but
Jah love will carry I home.
Krakatoa Pinatubo
My people are in a mess
But nobody wants to know
Cos when you're down and out and oppressed
You've got to fight your battles from the
Lowest of the low
So keep your distance and take your stance,
Cos this could be your utmost chance.
You've had all night and day to
Consider and pray
You've brought fire on my head and
Now you must pay.
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Where my people suffer...
Take Rastaman culture for instance,
Dem think is political joke,
But we people know better then that,
Cos what keeps us together is
Jah Herb that we smoke
I and I know the truth of it all,
Cos we have smashed our heads
'Gainst that wall,
And now I seh we must create a scene,
We must recapture our culture
By any means.
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Babylon makes the rules
Where my people suffer ...
Count the times we've been let down,
And left us in despair,
And woe betide that evil man,
Who giveth not a care.
You've gotta check yourself just
One more time,
Reassure your mind -
Cos those who are chosen
By the father's hand
Must not get left behind.
Rasta seh - guidance
(4) But Backrah seh different still
Babylon makes the rules but
Jah love will carry I home
Fabrice Mba
Musicalement politiquement socialement un groupe phare qui donna un exemple lumineux et conscient 👊🏽🙏🏽
Cyril Demailly
Malgré le temps qui passe, l' émotion reste intacte à la 1ere note de n' importe quel titre!... This band is just... Magic!
Barista Joe's
As far as musicianship and skills with instrumentation, Steel Pulse is by far the best of the Roots Reggae movement. They are such an amazing band...amazing.
MusikKritik
I think Groundation deserves a mentioning here :)
Lawrence Njawe
@ Dean Austin You're dead right on this. Instrumental virtuosity? The Tops......
Andrew Isaguirre
Back in the day steel pulse opening for herbie Hancock was one of the best concerts I ever saw
lenny dread
How old is this album now? And it still graces my ears on a regular basis to this day! One of the classic reggae albums of all times.
BeefPapa
3:56 still the best part of any reggae song I've ever listened to.
Lawrence Njawe
??
Corey Ingram
@Krakatoa Pinatubo That constant repeat!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥