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.
Can't Stand Losing You
Steel Pulse Lyrics
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And I guess its all true what your girlfriends say
That you dont ever want to see me again
And your brothers going to kill me and hes six feet ten
I guess youd call it cowardice
But Im not prepared to go on like this
I cant, I cant, I cant stand losing
I cant, I cant, I cant
I cant stand losing you
I cant stand losing you
I cant stand losing you
I cant stand losing you
I see youve sent my letters back
And my lp records and theyre all scratched
I cant see the point in another day
When nobody listens to a word I say
You can call it lack of confidence
But to carry on living doesnt make no sense
I cant, I cant, I cant stand losing
I cant, I cant, I cant stand losing
I cant, I cant, I cant stand losing
I cant, I cant, I cant stand losing
I cant, I cant, I cant stand losing
I cant, I cant, I cant stand losing
I guess this is our last goodbye
And you dont care, so I wont cry
But youll be sorry when Im dead
And all this guilt will be on your head
I guess youd call it suicide
But Im too full to swallow my pride
I cant, I cant, I cant stand losing
I cant, I cant, I cant stand losing
I cant, I cant, I cant stand losing
I cant, I cant, I cant stand losing
I cant, I cant, I cant stand losing
I cant, I cant, I cant stand losing...
The lyrics to Steel Pulse's song Can't Stand Losing You reveal the pain and desperation of a man who is facing rejection from his lover. He has been calling her many times but her girlfriends keep telling him that she doesn't want to see him anymore. The man is aware that her brother is after him, and he's afraid that he might get killed. Although he might be seen as cowardice, he is not ready to continue living like this. The man cannot stand the thought of losing his lover, and he feels that his own existence is useless without her.
The man is also faced with rejection in the form of returned letters and records. He feels that nobody listens to him anymore, and he sees no point in continuing to live this life. The fear of rejection is taking over him, and he believes that carrying on with his life is pointless. He believes that the lack of confidence is causing him to feel this way.
In the end, the man decides that their relationship is over, and this is the last goodbye. Although the woman doesn't care, he won't cry for her. He believes that she will be sorry when he's dead, and all the guilt will be on her head. He might appear to be suicidal, but really he is too proud to swallow his pride.
Overall, the lyrics to Can't Stand Losing You convey the emotions of pain, fear, rejection, and desperation that can arise when love is not reciprocated.
Line by Line Meaning
Ive called you so many times today
I have repeatedly tried to contact you today
And I guess its all true what your girlfriends say
I believe your female friends when they say that you no longer want to see me
That you dont ever want to see me again
You have no desire to ever see me again
And your brothers going to kill me and hes six feet ten
Your brother, who is very tall, has threatened to harm me in a serious way
I guess youd call it cowardice
Some would say that my unwillingness to continue this situation is a sign of weakness
But Im not prepared to go on like this
However, I am not willing to continue in this manner
I see youve sent my letters back
I have received the letters I sent back from you
And my lp records and theyre all scratched
Additionally, my vinyl music records have been damaged
I cant see the point in another day
I cannot understand why I should continue living another day
When nobody listens to a word I say
No one is willing to listen to me
You can call it lack of confidence
Some may say that my unwillingness to continue living is due to a lack of confidence
But to carry on living doesnt make no sense
However, living without you does not make sense
I guess this is our last goodbye
I believe this is our final farewell
And you dont care, so I wont cry
Since you have no concern for my feelings, I will not show emotion
But youll be sorry when Im dead
However, you will feel remorse when I am no longer alive
And all this guilt will be on your head
You will feel responsible for my death
I guess youd call it suicide
Some would call my death a result of my own decision
But Im too full to swallow my pride
However, I cannot continue living with a sense of shame
Contributed by Taylor F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
C. Bradley Jacobs
This tune is it:
Exactly what I envisioned when I thought of great reggae artists paying tribute to The Police. All thumbs up.
Lawrence Njawe
Wow. This one virtually matches or even supersedes the Police version. Kudos to the Police and well done Steel Pulse!!
Charlie Magne Houseman Rosenthal
La mejor banda de reggae del planeta
Richard Schroeder
Another excellent offering from of the Finest Musical Bands of All-Time!
-Ritchie S
Austin Roberts
Steel pulse kills it!! two thumbs up
Joseph Pawlowski
i heard this so long ago on do the right thing, it wasn't until 15 years later i discovered steel pulse as my favorite reggae group
Jose Candelario Rodriguez
Joseph Pawlowski desde que yo tenia catorce años y escuche el álbum crisis en la tierra
Echo Trip
The song on Do the Right Thing was "Can't Stand It", not this one.
Osanan Oliveira da Silva
Superb!
Jancarlos Umanzor Ureña
bless!!