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.
Evermore
Steel Pulse Lyrics
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Would be would be secure
Ya told me that you would
Not ever think of walkin
Through that door
You said as long as the wheel
Keeps on turning around and round
And with every breath that you take
Baby you said your love yeah is
Gonna last for Evermore
I asked you if you stop lovin me
Just tell me so
I asked you not to let me be
The last one to know
Right now I feel hurt
Seems everything that you
Said were lies
Why couldn't you tell the truth now
Baby you said your love yeah
Is gonna last for Evermore
It's gonna last for Evermore
Oh oh oh nothing
Empty words ya said that cut deep into me
Oh oh oh but I know better
Now I know that times are changing
And it hurts and I must look ahead
I felt you used me
I feel a fool still
All that you've left me
Is hurt and painful memories
But baby it's funny
My love yeaj is gonna last for Evermore
Evermore Evermore
The song 'Evermore' by Steel Pulse portrays a relationship that was supposedly built on love and trust, but is now crumbling before the singer's eyes. At the beginning of the song, the singer recounts how their partner had assured them of an everlasting love that would never fade away. However, as the relationship begins to sour, the singer feels like they were lied to and that their partner never truly meant those promises they made. The singer confronts their partner about their waning affections and urges them to be honest with their feelings. As the song progresses, the singer realizes that they must move on, even though it's a difficult decision.
The lyrics of 'Evermore' are full of raw emotions, as the singer struggles with the pain of betrayal and trying to hold on to a love that is slipping out of their grasp. The overall message of the song is that love can sometimes be fleeting, and that it's important to be truthful with oneself and others about one's feelings. The song is a reminder that sometimes it is necessary to let go of the past and move towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Ya told me your love
Would be would be secure
You promised me that your love would be safe and secure.
Ya told me that you would
Not ever think of walkin
Through that door
You assured me that you would never leave me.
You said as long as the wheel
Keeps on turning around and round
And with every breath that you take
Baby you said your love yeah is
Gonna last for Evermore
You said that as long as life keeps moving forward, your love for me will only grow stronger and last forever.
I asked you if you stop lovin me
Just tell me so
I asked you to be honest with me and tell me if you ever stop loving me.
I asked you not to let me be
The last one to know
I asked you to communicate with me honestly so I wouldn't be the last to find out if something was wrong.
Right now I feel hurt
Seems everything that you
Said were lies
Why couldn't you tell the truth now
Baby you said your love yeah
Is gonna last for Evermore
I'm hurting right now because it seems like everything you said to me was a lie. Why couldn't you just tell me the truth? You promised that your love for me would last forever.
Oh oh oh nothing
Empty words ya said that cut deep into me
Your words meant nothing, they were just empty promises that hurt me deeply.
Oh oh oh but I know better
Now I know that times are changing
And it hurts and I must look ahead
But now I understand that things are changing, and even though it's painful, I have to move forward.
I felt you used me
I feel a fool still
All that you've left me
Is hurt and painful memories
I feel like you used me and I still feel like a fool. All you've left me with are unpleasant memories.
But baby it's funny
My love yeaj is gonna last for Evermore
Evermore Evermore
But it's funny, even though I'm hurt and left with painful memories, my love for you will still last forever.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind