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.
Make Us A Nation
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's based on truth and rights over one groundation
Yes we are, we gonna make us a nation
Of equality and justice and one iration
Wake up from your sleep and slumber
Let's rise up in numbers
Time for liberation
No time for segregation
You know and I know war is not the way to go
Got to be wise and be civilised and let love flow
Let's go, oh yes
Chorus
Yes we are, we gonna make us a nation
That's based on truth and rights over one groundation
Its greed and jealousy
Separating you and me
And all this tribal war
Zapping all our energy
Cause I've got a plan and I'm sure that we can
Make it work
Unity is strength, solidarity is all its worth I yearn
Chorus
Equality and justice no more fuss & fight
Gonna make us a nation, gonna make us a nation
Gonna make us a nation oooh!
Gonna make us a nation, gonna make us a nation
Gonna make us a nation oooh!
Chorus
We can make it work for what its worth
Right here on earth its red alert yeah!
A little bit of love coming from the heart
A little bit of love coming from the heart
A little bit of love coming from the heart
A little bit of love coming from the heart
Yeah heh! heh!
Cause all I want is to uplift my nation
To make them walk with pride among creation
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Easy, easy, easy, easy
Yeah
No more fuss and fight
No more fuss - no more fight
No more fuss and fight
Steel Pulse’s “Make Us A Nation” is a call to awakening, urging people to rise above greed, jealousy, and tribal warfare. Instead, it advocates for building a community based on truth, rights, equality, and justice. The song’s recurring phrase “Yes we are, we gonna make us a nation” affirms the band’s belief in collective action and unity among individuals who share the same values.
The opening lines of the song emphasize the need for a new kind of nation-building that transcends geographical boundaries and individual agendas. Steel Pulse invites listeners to “wake up from your sleep and slumber” and join a movement that prioritizes liberation and rejects segregation.
The song also mentions the futility of war as a means of resolving conflicts. Instead of resorting to violence, Steel Pulse calls for civility and love to reign. The chorus, with its repetition of “That's based on truth and rights over one groundation” reinforces the idea of unity in diversity, and that when people come together to fight for what's right, the possibilities for real change become tangible.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes we are, we gonna make us a nation
The singer is expressing confidence in creating a new country.
That's based on truth and rights over one groundation
The new nation will be founded on principles of truth and justice.
Of equality and justice and one iration
The nation will have equal rights for everyone, and everyone will be united.
Wake up from your sleep and slumber
The artist is urging people to wake up and take action.
Let's rise up in numbers
The artist wants everyone to unite and work together.
Time for liberation
It's time for people to be free, especially from oppressive systems.
No time for segregation
There is no place for discrimination in this new nation.
You know and I know war is not the way to go
The artist is against violence and war.
Got to be wise and be civilised and let love flow
The artist wants everyone to be peaceful and kind to one another.
Let's go, oh yes
The artist is urging everyone to take action.
Its greed and jealousy
Greed and jealousy are causing problems.
Separating you and me
These negative emotions are causing divisions between people.
And all this tribal war
Tribalism is causing conflicts and violence.
Zapping all our energy
These negative emotions are draining our energy and resources.
Cause I've got a plan and I'm sure that we can
The singer has a plan to overcome these problems.
Make it work
The plan will succeed.
Unity is strength, solidarity is all its worth I yearn
Working together and being united is essential for success.
Equality and justice no more fuss & fight
The singer wants everyone to have equal rights and justice without conflict.
Gonna make us a nation, gonna make us a nation
The singer is reaffirming their goal.
We can make it work for what its worth
The artist believes that success is possible.
Right here on earth its red alert yeah!
The situation is urgent.
A little bit of love coming from the heart
The artist believes that love is important for success.
Cause all I want is to uplift my nation
The singer wants to help their country.
To make them walk with pride among creation
The artist wants their nation to be a source of pride in the world.
No more fuss and fight
The singer wants everyone to stop arguing and fighting.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SteelPulse1965
Dos vocalistas de bandas de Reggae, com certeza David Hind está entre os melhores!
Babacar Dia
Original and highly talented n blessed rastaman brethen! Nayabingi music as Bob(RIP) used to say!Big up!
Arte Chulay
Hermoso!
Lawrence Williams
make us a nation!
Lawrence Williams
Yes we are the kingdom of our Heavenly_Father!
David March
They Gonna Make us nation!
yolmel guillen
I LOVE VENEZUELA IN REVOLUTIÓN STEELL PULSE
Antonio Cosentino
One love
Soylent Ramen
Pulsahd!!
on a peaceful journey
make a nation jah nation