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.
Leggo Beast
Steel Pulse Lyrics
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Leggo beast she says carnal love is a must
Leggo beast feet abide not a home
Leggo beast loves to play while her husband gone
I know a lady lady of easy virtue
I know a lady lady of easy virtue
Uptown living living is all she knew
Traps she would lay for you
To lead men lead men astray
Like a vulture vulture
Lurks its prey yeh yeh I say
A rose in her hair
The pretty clothes she wears
At the passers by she winks her eye
Fools take up the offer
They say stolen waters is sweet
She has no consideration no
That's why she lies and cheat
Leggo beast
In the twilight of the evening
The moon shines bright
Bread is pleasant when eaten in secret
Bosom of fire must resist it
This woman is flirting this woman deceiving
This woman misleading this woman is cheating
Choose to her content and fancy
Husband's gone she hanky pankies
Husband's gone
I know a lady lady of easy vinue
Uptown lay lady of easy virtue
Leggo, Leggo, Woman you cheat too much
Leggo beast me say fe stay at your yard
Leggo beast loves to play
Loves to play while her husband's gone
The lyrics to Steel Pulse’s song "Leggo Beast" are about a woman who cheats on her husband while he is away. She is described as having "lips of flattery" and "eyes of lust" and she believes that "carnal love is a must." She is also depicted as having no regard for her husband or their home because "feet abide not a home" and instead "loves to play while her husband gone." The singer knows her as a "lady of easy virtue" and warns others to be cautious of her traps that she lays to "lead men astray" and cheat on their own partners. Throughout the song, she is referred to as a "Leggo Beast" which is a nickname given to promiscuous women in Jamaica.
The song highlights the negative consequences of infidelity and promiscuity, both on individuals and on society. The woman is depicted as being selfish and lacking empathy for her partner, and her actions are harmful to herself and others. The phrase "stolen waters is sweet" is a Biblical reference, which means that forbidden things are more tempting but ultimately come with negative consequences. The song also touches on the importance of maintaining faithfulness in marriage and resisting temptation.
Line by Line Meaning
Leggo beast lips of flattery eyes of lust
This woman uses flattering words to lure men while her eyes portray her desire and sexual attraction towards them
Leggo beast she says carnal love is a must
The woman believes that physical, sexual love is necessary and compulsory in her relationships and uses it as a means to manipulate men
Leggo beast feet abide not a home
The woman has a tendency to wander and cannot stay at home
Leggo beast loves to play while her husband gone
In her husband's absence, the woman enjoys playing around with other men
I know a lady lady of easy virtue
The artist is aware of a woman who engages in sexual activities easily without any moral restraint
Uptown living living is all she knew
The woman has lived a privileged life in an upscale area and has become accustomed to a certain lifestyle
And at her door step door step Traps she would lay for you
She uses intentional, deceitful tactics to lure men into her home
To lead men lead men astray
She enjoys the power of manipulating men and leading them down immoral paths
Like a vulture vulture Lurks its prey yeh yeh I say
Her behavior is similar to that of a vulture preying on its victim, waiting for the right moment to strike
A rose in her hair The pretty clothes she wears
The woman uses her physical appearance to attract men
At the passers by she winks her eye
She flirts openly and shamelessly with men who pass by
Fools take up the offer
Men who fall for her trap are foolish and easily manipulated
They say stolen waters is sweet
Men believe that engaging in sexual activities with her is an exciting, forbidden pleasure
She has no consideration no That's why she lies and cheat
The woman lacks consideration for the feelings and well-being of others and lies and cheats to get what she wants
In the twilight of the evening The moon shines bright Bread is pleasant when eaten in secret Bosom of fire must resist it
The singer warns against the temptation to engage in immoral activities in secret as it can lead to disastrous consequences
This woman is flirting this woman deceiving This woman misleading this woman is cheating
The woman is engaging in immoral activities such as flirting, deceiving and misleading men, and cheating on her husband
Choose to her content and fancy Husband's gone she hanky pankies Husband's gone
When her husband is away, the woman indulges herself in immoral activities according to her own whims and fancies
Leggo, Leggo, Woman you cheat too much
The singer addresses the woman and advises her to stop her excessive cheating behavior
Leggo beast me say fe stay at your yard
The singer advises the woman to stay at home and contain her behavior instead of being a 'leggo beast'
Leggo beast loves to play Loves to play while her husband's gone
The woman enjoys engaging in immoral activities when her husband is absent
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind