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.
Blazing Fire
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jah protect I all the way from my enemies I say.
Blazing Fire, can't touch Rasta
In dis ya wicked and perilous time persecutors fight 'gainst I
Dem a try to take my life I survive all war and strife
Blazing Fire, can't touch Rasta
Blazing Fire, can't touch Rasta
Shedrach Mesach Abendigo, In a de furnace they had to go
King Nebachadnezzar him never know, The Angels guide dem.
Blazing Fire, can't touch Rasta
Blazing Fire, can't touch Rasta
Dj verse Cause there's no water that can quench the thirst
Of Satan who lives in the underworld
Cause things are getting from bad to worse.
Who Jah Jah bless no man on earth can curse
It a go dreader when judgement come
In the battle Armageddeon
Iron Lion Zion
It a go rain brimstone and a
Blazing Fire, can't touch Rasta
Blazing Fire, can't touch Rasta
Fire to the Vatican
Fire Politician
Fire to the Babylon
The whole a dem a Ginal
Blazing Fire, can't touch Rasta
Fire to the Babylon
Fire Politician
Fire to the Vatican
The whole a dem a Ginal
Flim flam shenanigan
Me trample 'pon the dragon
Me come to stop oppression
Me no need no permission - I am
Selassie I soldier
Blazing Fire, can't touch Rasta
In the given song, Steel Pulse sings about their devotion to Jah (God) and how they pray every day for protection from their enemies. They believe that no matter how persecuted they are, they will not be touched by the blazing fire. They refer to the story of Shedrach Mesach Abendigo, where they were sent to a furnace but were protected by Angels. In the song, Steel Pulse mentions that no matter how bad the situation gets, Jah Jah will bless and protect them. They also state that they are soldiers of Selassie I and will trample on the dragon and stop oppression without requiring any permission.
Line by Line Meaning
When I rise up everyday 'pon my bending knees I pray
I pray to Jah every morning on my knees
Jah protect I all the way from my enemies I say.
I pray for Jah's protection from my enemies
Blazing Fire, can't touch Rasta
As a Rasta, I am protected by the blazing fire
In dis ya wicked and perilous time persecutors fight 'gainst I
In these wicked and dangerous times, I am persecuted
Dem a try to take my life I survive all war and strife
My enemies try to take my life but I survive all battles
Shedrach Mesach Abendigo, In a de furnace they had to go
In the furnace, Shedrach, Mesach, and Abendigo survived
King Nebachadnezzar him never know, The Angels guide dem.
King Nebachadnezzar did not expect the angels to guide them.
Cause there's no water that can quench the thirst Of Satan who lives in the underworld Cause things are getting from bad to worse.
Satan's thirst cannot be quenched with water as things continue to get worse.
Who Jah Jah bless no man on earth can curse
No man can curse those whom Jah Jah blesses.
It a go dreader when judgement come In the battle Armageddeon Iron Lion Zion
Judgement day will be a battle in Armageddeon, an iron lion's domain.
It a go rain brimstone and a Blazing Fire, can't touch Rasta
On judgement day, it will rain brimstone, but as a Rasta, I am protected from the blazing fire.
Fire to the Vatican Fire Politician Fire to the Babylon The whole a dem a Ginal
I have no respect for the Vatican, politicians or Babylon, they are all a bunch of thieves.
Flim flam shenanigan Me trample 'pon the dragon Me come to stop oppression Me no need no permission - I am Selassie I soldier
I will not tolerate any flim flam shenanigans and will stomp on the dragon. I am a soldier of Selassie I and I am here to stop oppression without seeking permission.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind