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.
Global Warning
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Today
That's what I say, that's what I say
Change, a change, a change, a change
Check it out, check it out, yeah
Check it out, check it out, I'm checkin'
Check it out, check it out
Global warning, global warning
Looking for love, respect
Stand up and be counted
Don't ever let them chop us down, hey.
Global warning, global warning
'Cause you got to know, oh yes
Stand up and be counted
Don't ever let them cut us down, down.
The storm of life has come to
Wash away my fears
In dis ya sacrifice we make a change, make a change, make a change
The preservation of the ancient forest growing
Is our common goal to re-arrange, re-arrange
What about the wild life
Save them from extinction
Have a sense of purpose
Putting up resistance
Destroying earth was not Jah's plan
It's the work of man
Global warning, global warning
Looking for love, respect
Stand up and be counted
Don't ever let them chop us down
Global warning, global warning
Cause you got to know, oh yes
Stand up and be counted
Don't ever let them cut us down, down
We servants of creation
Mother nature calls
A weeping clouds above with acid rain, acid rain, acid rain
The smell of the pollution poison in the water
Oh help us save our world from all this pain, so much pain
Give me a reaction
For some satisfaction
Not into submission
Dis ya revolution
You're just as guilty standing there
Come show me that you care
Global warning, global warning
Looking for love, respect
Stand up and be counted
Don't ever let them cut us down
A plea to humanity, humanity
To stop this insanity, insanity
It's gonna take you and me, It's gonna take you and me
To make a change, make a change, make a change
We talking solidarity
To find some authority, authority
It gonna take you and me
To bring about, a change, a change, a change, a change, a change.
Check it out, check it out, I'm checkin'
Check it out, check it out, I'm checkin'
Check it out, check it out, I'm checkin', I'm lookin, I'm lovin, I want you to see
Global warning, global warning
Looking for love, respect
Stand up and be counted
Don't ever let them chop us down.
Global warning, global warning
Cause we've had enough, oh yes, oh yes
Stand up and be counted
Don't ever let them cut us down
Never let them chop us down
Never let them cut us down
Never let them
The song "Global Warning" by Steel Pulse is a powerful call to action for individuals to make a positive change in the world. The song urges people to stand up and be counted, to resist the destruction of the earth, and to come together in solidarity to bring about a better future for all. The lyrics use vivid imagery to convey the urgency of the situation, such as the reference to acid rain and the pollution that poisons the water.
Overall, the song is a reminder that the future of the planet is in the hands of individuals and that we all have a responsibility to take action. The chorus of the song repeatedly emphasizes the importance of standing up and being counted, of not letting those who seek to harm the earth win. While the lyrics can be interpreted in different ways, the message is clear: it's time to make a change.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, make a change yea
Encouraging listeners to initiate change.
Today
Emphasizing the urgency of the need for change.
That's what I say, that's what I say
Reiterating the message of the previous two lines.
Change, a change, a change, a change
Continuing to emphasize the need for change.
Check it out, check it out, yeah
Asking the listener to pay attention.
Check it out, check it out, I'm checkin'
Reiterating the message of the previous line, indicating that the singer is also checking for something.
Global warning, global warning
Drawing a connection between the issue of global warming and the importance of the following message.
Looking for love, respect
Asserting a desire for these basic human needs.
Stand up and be counted
Encouraging individuals to take a stand for what they believe in.
Don't ever let them chop us down, hey.
Urging listeners to resist being destroyed or defeated by external forces.
Cause you got to know, oh yes
Emphasizing the importance of understanding the message being conveyed.
The storm of life has come to
An extended metaphor for the trials and tribulations that people experience.
Wash away my fears
Stressing the transformative power of adversity.
In dis ya sacrifice we make a change, make a change, make a change
Drawing a connection between sacrifice and positive change.
The preservation of the ancient forest growing
Highlighting the importance of environmental conservation.
Is our common goal to re-arrange, re-arrange
Encouraging people to work together towards a common objective.
What about the wild life
Bringing attention to the plight of animals facing extinction.
Save them from extinction
Stressing the importance of action to protect endangered species.
Have a sense of purpose
Encouraging individuals to be driven and motivated.
Putting up resistance
Encouraging people to resist destructive forces.
Destroying earth was not Jah's plan
It's the work of man
Asserting that humans are responsible for environmental destruction.
We servants of creation
Putting forward the idea that humans are meant to protect creation.
Mother nature calls
Stressing the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world.
A weeping clouds above with acid rain, acid rain, acid rain
Drawing attention to the harmful effects of pollution on the environment.
The smell of the pollution poison in the water
Further highlighting the negative effects of pollution.
Oh help us save our world from all this pain, so much pain
Urging people to work together to mitigate the harmful effects of pollution.
Give me a reaction
Asking for a response or feedback from the audience.
For some satisfaction
Implying that taking action can lead to personal fulfillment.
Not into submission
Rejecting the idea of passivity and encouraging people to take control of their situation.
Dis ya revolution
Referring to the idea of positive change through collective action.
You're just as guilty standing there
Come show me that you care
Asserting that apathy is a form of complicity and encouraging people to act.
A plea to humanity, humanity
A direct appeal to the whole of humankind.
To stop this insanity, insanity
Urging individuals to work towards a more rational and responsible society.
It's gonna take you and me, It's gonna take you and me
Emphasizing the need for collective action.
We talking solidarity
Calling for unity and cooperation.
To find some authority, authority
Asserting that the power for change lies within the people.
It gonna take you and me
Reiterating the message of collective action.
To bring about, a change, a change, a change, a change, a change.
Continuing to encourage people to work together for change.
Check it out, check it out, I'm checkin', I'm lookin, I'm lovin, I want you to see
Reiterating the message of paying attention and highlighting that the singer is invested in the message.
Cause we've had enough, oh yes, oh yes
Emphasizing that the status quo is no longer tenable.
Never let them chop us down
Never let them cut us down
Urging people to resist destructive forces and to protect themselves and their environment.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PlanetBerlin1991
Wow, didn't know that Steel Pulse still released tracks in the new millenium... I just have very old stuff by them. Never got the idea to look for new releases. ;)
Soylent Ramen
Big up, Stah!
PlanetBerlin1991
@Christopher Rafferty
Irie ire! :) Cheers from Berlin
Soylent Ramen
Nuttin' beata lil' Tribute 2 Tha Martyrs, tho
Bruno Moreira Lima
Valeu, irmão! Good vibes, forever!
roothead one love
Great music and greater lyrics!
Steel Pulse have written important lyrics over the years... how about,
"Woops, outside your head, crucial and red"? Roots!
Escape the imposed conceptual trap and cease being a meat puppet.
Serralheria Parcifal
Obra prima !
Saymon Pimenta
The best 🤟🏼🤟🏼🤟🏼
Deidaraisking
Great song B-)
Jazmin Guzman
Great work