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.
Find It...Quick!
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mankind so incomplete yeh
Violence on your box at home
Shouts and screams
From your neighbours next door
Vandals prowl the dim lit streets
Muggers hide In alleys they creep
This world hatred has grown
Love fly gone out through the window
And we've got to find it
CHORUS
------
Somewhere somewhere
Somewhere somewhere
We got to find this love oh
Oh help us Jah above yeh come on
We got to find this love
Those in authority reject the cries of want
Those in power corrupt and weak in heart
This world don't you know that
Hatred has grown
Love fly gone out through the window
We've got to find it we got to find it
Love fly gone out through the window
We've got to find it
CHORUS
------
Somewhere somewhere
Love is
A golden chord that binds all commandments
Make all hearts sing
Could we be at the brink of defeat
Let truth rise and all lies die
Love has gone out through the window
We've got to find it.
CHORUS
------
Somewhere somewhere
We've got to find this love
Oh help us Jah above
Let the wounds of this land be healed
A time of peace a time of plenty--mankind
The song "Find It...Quick!" by Steel Pulse is a call for the world to recognize and find lost love. The lyrics emphasize the incomplete and violent nature of mankind, with scenes of violence broadcasting on television and happening in the streets. The authorities are accused of neglecting the cries of the people, leading to corruption and a weak-hearted power structure. Through it all, love has disappeared from the world, and the chorus calls for finding it wherever it may be. The lyrics liken love to a golden chord that connects all commandments and makes hearts sing. The song ends with a plea for Jah to help heal the wounds of the land and bring peace and plenty to mankind.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't believe what I see
The current state of humanity is unbelievable.
Mankind so incomplete yeh
Humanity is incomplete and lacks progress.
Violence on your box at home
Violence is shown on television at home.
Shouts and screams
Neighbors shout and scream.
From your neighbours next door
Neighbors are causing disturbances next door.
Vandals prowl the dim lit streets
Vandals roam around poorly lit streets.
Muggers hide In alleys they creep
Muggers hide in alleys and prey on people.
This world hatred has grown
Hatred has spread and grown in the world.
Love fly gone out through the window
Love has disappeared and is nowhere to be found.
And we've got to find it
It is imperative that we find love.
CHORUS
Reiterating the need to find love.
Those in authority reject the cries of want
Those in power ignore the needs of the people.
Those in power corrupt and weak in heart
People in power are easily corrupted and lack compassion.
This world don't you know that
The world is unaware that
Hatred has grown
Hatred has spread and grown.
Love fly gone out through the window
Love has disappeared and is nowhere to be found.
We've got to find it we got to find it
It is essential that we find love.
CHORUS
Reiterating the need to find love.
Love is
Love is
A golden chord that binds all commandments
Love is the fundamental element that connects all commandments.
Make all hearts sing
Love is what makes all hearts sing.
Could we be at the brink of defeat
Are we close to defeat?
Let truth rise and all lies die
We need to embrace truth and reject lies.
Love has gone out through the window
Love has disappeared and is nowhere to be found.
We've got to find it.
It is imperative that we find love.
CHORUS
Reiterating the need to find love.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roberto De Los Santos
Steel Pulse - Find It...Quick!
I can't believe what I see:
Mankind so incomplete, yeh!
Violence on your box at home;
Shouts and screams from your neighbours next door.
Vandals prowl the dim lit streets,
Muggers hide, in alleys they creep.
This world.. hatred has grown, yeh!
Love fly gone out through the window,
And we've got to find it, yeh!
Common!
Love has gone out through the window,
We've got to find it..
Somewhere, somewhere!
Somewhere, somewhere!
We've got to find this love, oh!
Oh help us Jah above, yeh! Come on!
We've got to find this love.
Those in authority, reject the cries of want.
Those in power, corrupt and weak in heart.
This world.. don't you know that hatred has grown?
Love fly gone out through the window,
We've got to find it, we've got to find it!
Love fly gone out through the window,
We've got to find it.
Love has gone out through the window,
We've got to find it..
Somewhere, somewhere!
Somewhere, somewhere!
Love is: a golden chord that binds all commandments,
Make all hearts sing.
A golden chord that binds all commandments,
Make all hearts sing.
Could we be at the brink of defeat,
Let truth rise and all lies die.
'Cause: Love has gone out through the window,
We've got to find it.
Somewhere, somewhere!
Somewhere, somewhere!
We've got to find this love, oh help us Jah above!
Oh help us Jah above!
Let the wounds of this land be healed,
A time of peace a time of plenty.. mankind.
Lawrence Njawe
This tracks packs a heavy punch. Always shiver when I listen to steel pulse's tunes. In terms of vibrant instrumentation, no bands beats them.
Oscar Villa
Great arrangements on this piece, keeping the simplicity and consistency of the sound untouched.
seaborg71
One of favorite songs in the world. It got me through my early adult years. Song has all the elements I love about music.
Dunlaoghairepunkers
Best reggae band in the world.
ambre D
♥️
Bernard Russell
I woke up with this song singing real loud I LOVE me some steel pulse
Kwamena Wilson
These guys are one of Bob marley's favorite .
Ernie Manning
We need this message now more than ever!
Donny Stephens
Ernie Manning kju00utui7xAdemas q puso el.kachete diferente, no crea q yo soy tan facil 😜
Donny Stephens
Ernie Manning ui