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.
Biko's Kindred Lament
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The night Steve Biko died I cried and I cried
Biko, O, Steve Biko died still in chains
Biko, O, Steve Biko died still in chains.
Biko died in chains, moaned for you
Biko died in chains, moaned for you, yeh.
Blame South African security,
A no suicide he was'nt insane.
It was not for him to live in Rome, No
Still they would'nt leave him alone.
Yeh yeh yeh,
They provoke him, they arrest him
They took him life away,
But can't take him soul,
Then they drug and ill-treat him,
Till they kill him,
And they claim suicide.
I'll never forgive I'll always remember,
Not, not only not only I no,
But papa brothers sisters too, Yeh, yeh
Him spirit they can't control
Him spirit they can't man-trol
Cannot be bought nor sold
Freedom increase one-hundred fold.
The system something's got to be done,
Straight away,
The system of weakheart emontion
They've got to pay
The system of backra corruption
They've got to pay
The system is destroying my nation
The system.....kill him
O, O Jah Jah, O Jah Jah,
Take them where life sweeter,
Send a Moses to set them Free.
Pharaoh's army won't let them be,
From the beginning he knew he'd meet his end
Yes my friend
They'll keep on ruling, all hours Jah
Jah send
I'll tell you again
Dem take him life - Dem take him soul,
Him spirit they can't control
Cannot be bought nor sold
Freedom increases one hundred fold
Freedom increases one hundred
Freedom
The system, the system, the system,
The sy, a, a,
Somethings got to done,
The system where black man get no, get no,
Get no recoginition.
The system of colour partition
The system shoul be yanked from creation
The system kill him.
O, O Jah Jah, O Jah Jah,
Take him where life sweeter
Send a Moses. Send a Moses.
Pharohs army won't let them be,
Biko died in chains Yeh
Moans for you
Biko died in chains all are moaning
Moans for you Yeh eh eh eh.....
Biko, O, O, O
Steve Biko died still in chains
Biko, O, O, O
Steve Biko died still in chains
Still, still in chains
Still, still in chains
Cha-ains..........
The lyrics of Steel Pulse's "Biko's Kindred Lament" are a powerful and emotional tribute to Steve Biko, the South African anti-apartheid activist who died in police custody in 1977. The first two lines of the chorus, "The night Steve Biko died I cried and I cried / Biko, O, Steve Biko died still in chains", express the deep grief and frustration felt by the artist and many others at the time of Biko's death. The verses detail the systemic oppression and violence that Biko faced as a black activist in a country ruled by a white minority government. The lines "Blame South African security, / A no suicide he was'nt insane" and "They provoke him, they arrest him / They took him life away" refer to the brutal tactics used against Biko by the apartheid regime, including his detention and subsequent death while in police custody. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the ongoing injustice of Biko's death and the continued oppression felt by many in South Africa and beyond.
Overall, the song is a powerful call to action, challenging the "system" of racism and inequality that led to Biko's death and continues to harm people around the world. The lines "The system something's got to be done / Straight away" and "The system where black man get no recoginition / The system of colour partition" express a strong desire for change and a rejection of the status quo. The final lines of the song, "Biko died in chains Yeh / Moans for you / Biko died in chains all are moaning / Moans for you Yeh eh eh eh.....", offer a poignant and moving conclusion, reminding listeners that Biko's legacy and the fight against oppression live on.
Line by Line Meaning
The night Steve Biko died I cried and I cried
I was deeply saddened when Steve Biko died, and I mourned for him.
Biko, O, Steve Biko died still in chains.
Steve Biko died while still oppressed and imprisoned by the South African authorities.
Biko died in chains, moaned for you
Steve Biko suffered greatly while imprisoned and ultimately died, and we must remember him and honor his sacrifice.
Blame South African security,
The responsibility for Steve Biko's death lies with the security forces who oppressed him.
A no suicide he was'nt insane.
Steve Biko's death was not a suicide and he was not mentally unstable.
It was not for him to live in Rome, No
Steve Biko was denied the basic freedom to live his life as he wished.
Still they would'nt leave him alone.
Even though Steve Biko was not a threat to anyone, he was continually harassed by the authorities.
They provoke him, they arrest him
The authorities intentionally agitated Steve Biko and unjustly arrested him.
They took him life away,
The authorities caused Steve Biko's death.
But can't take him soul,
While Steve Biko's physical body is gone, his spirit and legacy live on.
Then they drug and ill-treat him,
Steve Biko was subjected to cruel treatment including being drugged by the authorities.
Till they kill him,
Steve Biko's life was eventually taken by the authorities who were oppressing him.
And they claim suicide.
Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, the authorities tried to claim that Steve Biko's death was a suicide.
I'll never forgive I'll always remember,
We must never forget Steve Biko and the injustices he faced, and they must be held accountable.
Not, not only not only I no,
It's not just me who will remember Steve Biko and continue to fight for justice.
But papa brothers sisters too, Yeh, yeh
Steve Biko's legacy will be passed down to future generations, and we will all remember him.
Him spirit they can't control
Despite all the obstacles he faced, Steve Biko's spirit and willpower could not be broken by the authorities.
Him spirit they can't man-trol
The authorities could not control Steve Biko's spirit or actions.
Cannot be bought nor sold
Steve Biko's legacy and spirit cannot be bought or sold, and cannot be taken away from us.
Freedom increase one-hundred fold.
Steve Biko's fight for freedom will inspire others and lead to even greater progress for marginalized communities.
The system something's got to be done,
The oppressive system that allowed Steve Biko's death must be changed and dismantled.
The system of weakheart emotion
The system that relies on fear and anger to oppress people must be reformed.
They've got to pay
Those responsible for Steve Biko's death must be held accountable and face consequences.
The system of backra corruption
The corrupt system that benefits a select few at the expense of many must be eliminated.
The system shoul be yanked from creation
The entire system that allows oppression and injustice to flourish must be dismantled and replaced.
O, O Jah Jah, O Jah Jah,
The singer is seeking the help of a divine force to help bring justice to the world.
Take them where life sweeter,
The singer is asking for a better world for those who have been marginalized and oppressed.
Send a Moses to set them Free.
The artist is asking for a inspirational leader to help guide the way towards freedom and justice.
Pharaoh's army won't let them be,
The oppressors and powerful forces who benefit from the status quo will not give up their power easily.
From the beginning he knew he'd meet his end
Steve Biko knew the dangers of fighting against oppressive forces, but he continued to fight for what was right anyway.
Yes my friend
The singer is addressing the audience and acknowledging that they are all friends in the fight for justice.
They'll keep on ruling, all hours Jah Jah send
The oppressive forces will continue to rule unless a divine force intervenes.
Dem take him life - Dem take him soul,
The authorities took Steve Biko's life and tried to destroy his spirit and legacy, but they could not succeed.
Still, still in chains
Even after Steve Biko's death, there are still people who are oppressed and imprisoned.
Cha-ains..........
The word 'chains' is repeated to emphasize the ongoing oppression and suffering caused by the system that Steve Biko fought against.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eric Schaevitz
Greatest reggae group of all time! LOVEEEEEEEE Steel Pulse and try to make every show they play within a 100 mile radius of Philadelphia. They were the first reggae show I ever attended and man.........they put on a hell of a show.
TheDreamKing
This song is amazing
pepino09
RIP Steven Biko..... never forgotten
Edmilson Pereira da Silva Filho
a melhor banda de reggae
Sonysam
"Steve Biko died still in chain... Amazing song!
Lawrence Njawe
Magic song!! Remember in the days when Steel PULSE records were not easily available where I lived, I relied on a weekly reggae radio program to have them on my cassette tape, praying every week that at least one of their songs should feature in the program. Things have changed now. Fond & crazy memories!!
Marley - ite
@Lawrence Njawe : I agree with you buddy. Long live the Pulse.
Lawrence Njawe
@Marley - ite Hi buddy. I've ran into so many of your comments browsing into YouTube. Yes I acknowledge your views corroborated by other sources. Aswad's crossover hits contribute in large measure to their success, but to some of us politically minded Rasta aficionados Steel Pulse is the real deal with all respect. Bless....!!!!
Marley - ite
@Lawrence Njawe : I am based in the U.K. and Steel Pulse are rarely heard on the radio here. So grateful for you tube where most of their classics are easily available.
Lawrence Njawe
@Marley - ite Marley-ite, In Cameroon, a nation wedged between Nigeria and the Central African region.