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.
Door Of No Return
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On Goree Island
I've returned through the door of no return
On Goree Island
Oh I remember I once dressed as a king
Decked in fine robes and everything
The blood that's in my veins is pure royalty
Then all of a sudden I was in a state of shock
Caught and thrown on the auction block
Just like Jesus I was flogged and mocked
Now human cargo yes they said I wasn't coming back
[Chorus]
I was that prisoner who was fighting to be free
Free from my enemies who came and capture me
That was the years of brutality
Cannot be wiped away so easily
Although they have removed the chains
They try so hard to wash my brain
Want I to bow my head in shame
But when I think of the Motherland
I hear the spirits call my name
[Chorus]
Lets light the torch let Babylon burn yah!
[Chorus]
I'n I' survive yeah heh!
Gory Goree, gory Goree gory Goree
Brand new story
Gory Goree, gory Goree
Got the power and the glory
On Goree Island
A Goree Island in a Senegal
Top
Steel Pulse's song "Door Of No Return" speaks about the devastating experience of slavery and the way in which it has impacted generations of African Americans. The song begins by describing the return of the singer to the door of no return on Goree Island, a place in Senegal where slaves were taken to be shipped to various parts of the world. The reference to the door of no return suggests that this was a place of no hope or escape for slaves, once they went through that door, there was no going back to their homeland.
The lyrics take the listener back to the days of slavery, sharing a personal experience of the singer who remembers a time when they were a king, dressed in fine robes and revered for their stature. But in a moment, their life was transformed by the brutal reality of slavery as they were captured and enslaved. The following lines recount the brutality of their treatment in captivity, which included being thrown on an auction block and flogged like Jesus.
The lyrics go on to describe the struggle of the singer to regain their freedom, even after the chains had been removed. The last part of the song calls for a revolution, a burning of Babylon, which could be interpreted as an invitation to overthrow the system that has caused such pain and trauma for generation after generation of African Americans.
Overall, Steel Pulse's "Door Of No Return" is a powerful commentary on the horrors of slavery, the resilience of the human spirit, and the need for revolutionary change.
Line by Line Meaning
I've returned through the door of no return On Goree Island
The singer has come back through a symbolic portal on a Senegalese island that represents the point of no return for enslaved Africans.
Oh I remember I once dressed as a king Decked in fine robes and everything The blood that's in my veins is pure royalty I ruled many kingdoms and ruled many dynasties
The singer recalls a time when they were a powerful ruler before being violently enslaved and brought to America.
Then all of a sudden I was in a state of shock Caught and thrown on the auction block Just like Jesus I was flogged and mocked Now human cargo yes they said I wasn't coming back
The singer describes being brutally taken from their home and displayed for sale as a piece of property, with no hope of returning.
I was that prisoner who was fighting to be free Free from my enemies who came and capture me That was the years of brutality Cannot be wiped away so easily
The artist was a captive fighting for their freedom, enduring years of violence and abuse that cannot be forgotten or erased.
Although they have removed the chains They try so hard to wash my brain Want I to bow my head in shame But when I think of the Motherland I hear the spirits call my name
Despite being physically freed, the artist is still subject to attempts to erase their culture and make them feel inferior, but their connection to Africa remains strong and vital.
Lets light the torch let Babylon burn yah!
The singer calls for a revolution to destroy the oppressive society that was built on slavery and racism.
I'n I' survive yeah heh! Gory Goree, gory Goree gory Goree Brand new story Gory Goree, gory Goree Got the power and the glory On Goree Island A Goree Island in a Senegal
The singer asserts their survival and reclamation of power despite the horrors they faced, and emphasizes the symbolic importance of Goree Island in Senegal as a place of historical and cultural significance.
Top
End of song.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marlon Casali
I've returned through the door of no return
On Goree Island
I've returned through the door of no return
On Goree Island
Oh I remember I once dressed as a king
Decked in fine robes and everything
The blood that's in my veins is pure royalty
I ruled many kingdoms and ruled many dynasties
Then all of a sudden I was in a state of shock
Caught and thrown on the auction block
Just like Jesus I was flogged and mocked
Now human cargo yes they said I wasn't coming back
I was that prisoner who was fighting to be free
Free from my enemies who came and capture me
That was the years of brutality
Cannot be wiped away so easily
Although they have removed the chains
They try so hard to wash my brain
Want I to bow my head in shame
But when I think of the Motherland
I hear the spirits call my name
I was that prisoner who was fighting to be free
Free from my enemies who came and capture me
That was the years of brutality
Cannot be wiped away so easily
Lets light the torch let Babylon burn yah!
I was that prisoner who was fighting to be free
Free from my enemies who came and capture me
That was the years of brutality
Cannot be wiped away so easily
I'n I' survive yeah heh!
Gory Goree, gory Goree gory Goree
Brand new story
Gory Goree, gory Goree
Got the power and the glory
On Goree Island
A Goree Island in a Senegal
Top
BROLIN JHEIVER ORTIZ MARTINEZ
He regresado por la puerta sin retorno
En la isla Goree
He regresado por la puerta sin retorno
En la isla Goree
Oh, recuerdo que una vez me vestí como un rey
Cubierta con finas túnicas y todo
La sangre que está en mis venas es pura realeza
Yo goberné muchos reinos y goberné muchas dinastías
Entonces, de repente, estaba en estado de shock
Atrapado y lanzado en el bloque de subasta
Al igual que Jesús, fui azotado y me burlé
Ahora carga humana sí dijeron que no iba a regresar
Yo era ese prisionero que luchaba por ser libre
Libre de mis enemigos que vinieron y me capturaron
Ese fue el año de la brutalidad
No se puede borrar tan fácilmente
Aunque han eliminado las cadenas
Se esfuerzan tanto para lavar mi cerebro
Quiero inclinar mi cabeza avergonzada
Pero cuando pienso en la Patria
Escucho que los espíritus llaman mi nombre
Yo era ese prisionero que luchaba por ser libre
Libre de mis enemigos que vinieron y me capturaron
Ese fue el año de la brutalidad
No se puede borrar tan fácilmente
¡Encienda la antorcha, deje que Babilonia arda ya!
Yo era ese prisionero que luchaba por ser libre
Libre de mis enemigos que vinieron y me capturaron
Ese fue el año de la brutalidad
No se puede borrar tan fácilmente
Yo 'yo sobrevivo, sí, je!
Gory Goree, sangriento Goree sangriento Goree
Nueva historia
Gory Goree, sangriento Goree
Steven Corsoe
STILL Listening and loving steel pulse at 55.True inspiration for our world...a celebration for ending truly ugly past days.Awaken to better days.
reggae fever
Still listening at 58, first saw them in 1981. David has been my imaginary boyfriend ever since:)
Steven Corsoe
Not so much as then but even stronger now that the messages come clear to all that listen.A culture of hearts and minds.
mano a mano
Nice to see Steel Pulse come back with a crucial message and a serious story to be told, after going astray all those years. Blessings all the Way!
D'Jallo Houslin
???
Baruch Hinds
Greetings everyone this is your boy Baruch Hinds Son of David Dread. Glad to see so many positive comments about this song and video. It was my first Video I starred in and so grateful to be apart of it all. I have been working on my own music,So now i want to share with you my 1st official release. I think you'll digg it since you are all pulse fans..Big up! check my page..Respect!
coolRunner13
Such great story tellers! Painting a picture in your mind. This video so powerful.. love steel pulse 💛❤💚
Samuel Collier
Excellent!! 🎸 solo is 🔥🔥🔥 Thank u Steel Pulse!!
Ferdinand Uche Animam
Nuff respec to you Steel Pulse. Massive Song, massive video. Keep up the good work men.
Colin Grimmond
i wish more of our people would listen to this