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.
House of Love
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've had our differences
Now it's time to patch things up
We've been through trying times
Though the going got so rough
Give thanks and praise that we have made it
Making a new start
I know a place for you baby
We're on that magic road
We need each other so
Never to let go
It's love for ever more
CHORUS
Our joy is living in a house of love
This kind of love you can't get enough
Our joy is living in a house of love
This kind of love you can't get enough
So much wasted time
On who that it was to blame
And now that we've both realised
Before it was too late
This time around yes we can make it
I feel it in the air
I'm coming home to a special lady
She'll be waiting
CHORUS
House of Love ( Repeat X 5)
This adoration yes is safe and sound my friend
Compassion built on solid ground
Oh it's joy for both of us to reconcile
Oh yeah under one roof together side by side
We're on that magic road
We need each other so
Never to let go
It's love for ever more
CHORUS
This a house of love
Can't get enough (Repeat X 2)
Our joy's living in a
Living in a living in a
In Steel Pulse’s song House of Love, the lyrics speak to a relationship that has had its differences and trying times, but now it's time to patch things up and make a new start. The singer expresses gratitude that they have made it through the rough times and have the opportunity to start anew. The song is about reconciliation and coming back together with a deep love and appreciation for each other. The chorus speaks to the joy of living together in a house of love that cannot be gotten enough of.
The lyrics convey a sense of hope and optimism that the relationship can be better than it ever was before. The relationship is described as being built on solid ground with mutual adoration and compassion. The phrase "magic road" gives the impression that the love they share is something special and unique that cannot be found anywhere else. The song encourages forgiveness and to let go of the things that have caused division in the relationship.
The lyrics are accompanied by a lively reggae beat that reflects the joy and positivity of the message. Overall, House of Love is a powerful song about the beauty of reconciliation and the strength of love to overcome any obstacle.
Line by Line Meaning
We've had our differences
We have had disagreements in the past.
Now it's time to patch things up
We need to repair our relationship now.
We've been through trying times
We have faced difficult situations together.
Though the going got so rough
Despite the extreme difficulties we faced.
Give thanks and praise that we have made it
We should be grateful that we made it through the tough times.
Making a new start
We are starting fresh.
I know a place for you baby
I have a special place for you in my heart.
Deep inside my heart
In the most intimate part of my being.
We're on that magic road
We are embarking on a magical journey together.
We need each other so
We require one another's presence and support.
Never to let go
We will never leave each other's side.
It's love for ever more
Our love will last forever.
Our joy is living in a house of love
We find joy in living together in a loving relationship.
This kind of love you can't get enough
We desire an endless supply of this type of love.
So much wasted time
We spent too much time on trivial things in the past.
On who that it was to blame
Arguing over who was responsible for the problems.
And now that we've both realised
Now that we both understand.
Before it was too late
Before it became too late to fix things.
This time around yes we can make it
We can succeed this time around.
I feel it in the air
I sense that we are capable of making it work.
I'm coming home to a special lady
I am coming home to a significant other.
She'll be waiting
She is anticipating my return.
This adoration yes is safe and sound my friend
Our love is secure and strong, my friend.
Compassion built on solid ground
Our love is founded on a stable and reliable foundation.
Oh it's joy for both of us to reconcile
It brings happiness to both of us to reconcile.
Oh yeah under one roof together side by side
Living together under the same roof, by each other's side.
This a house of love
This is the place we have built for our loving relationship.
Can't get enough (Repeat X 2)
We want to continue experiencing this love endlessly.
Our joy's living in a
Our happiness comes from living in a
Living in a living in a
Dwelling within this loving relationship.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: SELWYN DELRAINZE BROWN, DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shihab Mahgoub
Tune!!! Lovely jazzy style not the usual hardcore STEEL PULSE. Love it.
David Naster
A groove to make any day better
Nikki Dean
Wheel up and Come again