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.
New World Order
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got an attitude, oh yeah.
Things are overflowing
In dis, ya melting pot.
Justice has been stolen
From the have-nots.
I've come to a conclusion:
It's the only solution
That brings about a change, yeah.
I've lost all my patience,
Pressured by this violence.
I refuse to be silent,
And buckle up in pain.
Things are overflowing
In dis, ya melting pot.
Justice has been stolen
From the have-nots.
In dis, ya New World Order.
Well, dem totally out of order.
New World Order.
Say, dem totally out of order.
Oh yeah, oh, wow, wow.
So much exploitation
Upon the third world nation.
You've appointed yourself
The policeman of the world,
Talking about lifting sanctions
For your satisfaction.
Robbed of our silver and gold;
Our diamonds and our pearls.
You go a dat man country,
Make war and kick him out.
Oh, it's the same old story.
Burn down the great white house.
Woe, woe.
Change, yes, we want change.
I'm in an angry mood.
Got to rearrange.
I've got an attitude.
Yes, we want change.
Oh, I'm so vex now.
Chase dem out,
Kick dem down, drive them way out of town.
This, ya rebel time is now.
This, ya people nah go' bow.
Mess up, and out of order.
Mash up, and out of order.
Break up, and out of order.
Muck up, and out of order.
Totally, overly, utterly, facety;
All that gone.
We know dem a folly order.
Totally out of order.
In Steel Pulse's song "New World Order," the lyrics express an angry and revolutionary sentiment. The song highlights the inequalities that exist in society, particularly in the embrace of capitalism and the exploitation of third-world countries. The melting pot is overflowing with injustice, and those who have the least are being robbed of justice.
The song suggests that the only solution is revolution; the people must strip the powerful of their control and bring about change. The violence and exploitation cannot sit quietly and suffer in silence. This tone is a call to action for the oppressed to rise up and take back control.
The chorus of "New World Order" emphasizes that the powerful are "totally out of order," and it is time to "mash up" and "kick them down." Steel Pulse urges people to demand change and to refuse to be silent in the face of injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in an angry mood, yeah.
I am feeling extremely angry right now.
Got an attitude, oh yeah.
I am displaying a confrontational attitude towards the situation at hand.
Things are overflowing
In dis, ya melting pot.
Justice has been stolen
From the have-nots.
The situation is getting out of hand in this diverse society, and the powerful have taken away justice from those who are less fortunate.
I've come to a conclusion:
It's time for a revolution.
It's the only solution
That brings about a change, yeah.
I have decided that a revolution is necessary to bring about the changes that we need to see.
I've lost all my patience,
Pressured by this violence.
I refuse to be silent,
And buckle up in pain.
I have exhausted all my patience due to the violence around me. I refuse to stay silent and be a victim of the situation.
In dis, ya New World Order.
Well, dem totally out of order.
New World Order.
Say, dem totally out of order.
Oh yeah, oh, wow, wow.
This new world order is a complete mess, and the people in power are completely wrong in their actions.
So much exploitation
Upon the third world nation.
You've appointed yourself
The policeman of the world,
Talking about lifting sanctions
For your satisfaction.
Robbed of our silver and gold;
Our diamonds and our pearls.
The powerful nations have exploited the less fortunate nations, and set themselves up as the 'world police' while lifting sanctions for their satisfaction. They have taken away our valuable resources.
You go a dat man country,
Make war and kick him out.
Oh, it's the same old story.
Burn down the great white house.
Woe, woe.
The powerful nations go into other countries, starting wars and then leaving. This vicious cycle repeats itself. They need to destroy the symbols of their power.
Change, yes, we want change.
I'm in an angry mood.
Got to rearrange.
I've got an attitude.
Yes, we want change.
Oh, I'm so vex now.
We want a change from the current situation. We are angry and confrontational about rearranging society. We need to make changes now.
Chase dem out,
Kick dem down, drive them way out of town.
This, ya rebel time is now.
This, ya people nah go' bow.
We need to kick out the wrongdoers, drive them away and take charge. It's the time to rebel, and the people will not bow down anymore.
Mess up, and out of order.
Mash up, and out of order.
Break up, and out of order.
Muck up, and out of order.
Totally, overly, utterly, facety;
All that gone.
We know dem a folly order.
Totally out of order.
The situation is completely messed up and out of order - everything has fallen apart. The powerful in charge are ridiculously excessive, and the current order is foolish and wrong.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dave Taylor
You know the audio is great when Rob Buhrman engineers it.
ericjungleboy
One of the few Steel Pulse songs recorded in the 90's that I thought was really a solidly written and recorded song thru and thru. The other ones were "Real Terrorist", "No Justice No Peace", "Taxi Driver", "Free the Land", "House of Love", "Islands Unite" and perhaps "Victims" and "Role Models".
TheTiobiloute62
du pur son roots
Néférouré
❤️💛💚❤️💛💚
VideoTurnip!
jah well get us through
Léo Azevedo
Killuminate! Now!