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.
Kick The Habit
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We’ve got to fight to stay alive
Brother man is hooked on drugs, sisters hooked on selling love
The good God knows how they survive
We’re living in a bubble, full of troubles
Dope is destroying my fellow man
Who shall hold the children’s hand
And lead them to the promised land
Please come forward and take command
Kick that habit, don’t push your luck
It’s suicide now
You’re poppin' pills and shooting' injections
Powdered nose
‘Nuf of the youth them out there turn to crime
They’ve been down for the longest time
Some can’t face the pains of life
So take a trip to the high and blind
We’re living in a bubble, full of troubles
And they’re waiting for our brains to burst
Things are getting from bad to worse
Kick that habit, don’t push your luck
It’s suicide now
You’re poppin' pills, shooting injections
Powdered nose
Ooh, we’re living in a bubble, full of troubles
Who shall hold the children’s hands
And lead them to the promised land
I see them in the poppin' pills, in the shooting injections
The girl there with the powdered nose in the wrong direction
Ooh, we’re living in a bubble, full of troubles
Who shall hold the children’s hands
And lead them to the promised land
Ooh, we're living in a bubble
"Kick That Habit" by Steel Pulse is a powerful song that addresses the devastating impact of drugs on individuals and society. The song highlights the harsh realities of drug addiction and the struggle to break free from the vicious cycle of substance abuse that plagues so many. The opening lines of the song, "We know the system is one big jive, we've got to fight to stay alive", reflect the frustration and anger felt by many towards society's failure to address the root cause of drug addiction.
The song goes on to describe the dire situation many find themselves in as a result of addiction, with lines such as "Dope is destroying my fellow man" and "Some can't face the pains of life, so take a trip to the high and blind". However, the song does not simply dwell on the negative; it offers a message of hope and empowerment, urging those struggling with addiction to "kick that habit" and take control of their lives. The final lines of the song make a plea for action, asking "who shall hold the children's hands and lead them to the promised land".
Overall, "Kick That Habit" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that touches on important social issues and offers a message of hope and empowerment to those struggling with addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
We know the system is one big jive
We understand that the system is dishonest and corrupt.
We’ve got to fight to stay alive
We need to struggle to survive in this difficult world.
Brother man is hooked on drugs, sisters hooked on selling love
Men are addicted to drugs, women are turning to prostitution.
The good God knows how they survive
It's a miracle that they can continue living under these circumstances.
We’re living in a bubble, full of troubles
We are enclosed in a world filled with problems.
Dope is destroying my fellow man
Drugs are ruining the lives of those around me.
Warriors are weeping for a nation
Strong, brave people are crying for their country.
Who shall hold the children’s hand
Who will guide and protect the younger generation?
And lead them to the promised land
And help them find a better future.
Please come forward and take command
We need someone to step up and take control.
Kick that habit, don’t push your luck
Stop your addiction before it's too late.
It’s suicide now
Continuing with your addiction is as good as killing yourself.
You’re poppin' pills and shooting' injections
You are taking dangerous drugs through your mouth or veins.
Powdered nose
You are snorting drugs through your nose.
‘Nuf of the youth them out there turn to crime
Too many young people are becoming criminals.
They’ve been down for the longest time
They have been struggling for a very long time.
Some can’t face the pains of life
Some people cannot handle the difficulties in life.
So take a trip to the high and blind
So they turn to drugs to escape from reality.
And they’re waiting for our brains to burst
Drug addiction is waiting to destroy our minds.
Things are getting from bad to worse
The situation is only getting more dire.
The girl there with the powdered nose in the wrong direction
The girl snorting drugs is moving towards a dangerous path.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kevin Smith
I've been listening to steel pulse since 1985... they have made a profound impression on my development from adolescents to manhood. jah bless and thanks to the most high for ordering my footsteps.
Marley - ite
@FactsOverPersonality : Me too, around 83/84.
FactsOverPersonality
I STARTED AROUND THE SAME TIME... I LEARNED ALOT FROM STEEL PULSE: AFRICA UNITE ❤
Vincent Smith
Been listening to them about the same time I agree 💯 when I first heard this song I played it for about a month
Anna Fisher
Thanks for posting this crucial song, blessings always!
kuana Lima Scott champ Lima
this song Makes my 200 days in recovery easier
Broken Psylens
I Love this song❤🖤❤
Irving Hart
awesome song
Vincent Smith
If you're going through something please put this song on very inspirational
Kieth Bell
who will hold the children's hand, and lead them to the promise land, (we will)