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.
Roller Skates
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With my roller skates
Having fun with the girls
Says I'm feeling great woo
In the dark of the night
Street lamps glowing
On full blast is my radio
Radio
Up comes this guy in his flashy car
In his mouth stuck a big cigar
Needed my help said he lost his way
I never heard a word he said
To find some street, said he wanted instructions
So I turned down the music
To point out directions, guess what?
Guy jumped on me messed up my clothes
Smashed and grabbed my radio
Calling all detectives
A criminal at large smoking
A big fat cigar in a flashy car
And think him some superstar
Life life without music
I can't go go no
Life without music I can't go
I'm gonna get him
The last thing I do
Must get a beating
Till him red and blue
Didn't take long to catch him
Parked up car and music blasting
On the sidewalk he was dancing
Stealing the show, the people watching
Roller skate gang
Was hot on his tracks
Stick him up mister
Give me back Give me back
Give me back Give me back
My radio
Guy jumped on me messed up my clothes
Saaahed and grabbed my radio
Calling all detectives
a criminal at large smoking
a big fat cigar in a flashy car
And think him some super star
Life life without music
I can't go
Life life without music
I can't go
Life without music
Bimma! murder style
Dem have fe get a beatin'
Say dem have fe get a beatin'
Nothing greater nothing best
Like the music from my wireless
And the only thing that I detest
Is the man who steal my wireless
him ha fe run like a fugitive
Him ha fe run from detective
Samuel Thomas is the thief name
lie must a lead life of shame
Some a dem call him Uncle Sam
Some a dem call him Uncle Tom
Uncle Sam and Uncle Tom
Yes they are the same man
S.A.M. means "stealaway music"
T.O.M. means "thiefer of music"
The druna and the bass
Have fe move me waist
The ridim and skank
Me have JAH fe thank.
The lyrics and song
Me have fe keep me strong
Samuel Thomas him have fe get vank
Him have fe get a beatin'
Him have fe get a beatin'
The song "Roller Skates" by Steel Pulse tells a story of a carefree day out with the girls roller skating when the singer encounters a man in a flashy car who pretended to need directions but instead robbed him of his radio. The lyrics suggest that this man is someone who thinks he is a celebrity and thinks he is above the law. The song advocates not only for enjoying oneself by dancing to music but also for justice to be served against those who break the law.
The lyrics to "Roller Skates" condemn theft of personal property, celebrate dancing to music, and call out people who think they are above the law. The reference to roller skates and the carefree feeling of the song give it a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time when it was easier to have fun. The almost comical description of the man who robbed the singer as someone with a big cigar in his mouth and a flashy car only adds to the sense that this is a person who does not have his priorities straight.
Line by Line Meaning
Out on the corner
Standing on the corner of the street
With my roller skates
Wearing roller skates while standing on the corner of the street
Having fun with the girls
Enjoying with female friends
Says I'm feeling great woo
Feeling happy and excited
In the dark of the night
During night time
Street lamps glowing
Illuminated street lamps
On full blast is my radio
Playing loud music on the radio
Radio
Referring to a radio
Up comes this guy in his flashy car
A man arrived in a stylish car
In his mouth stuck a big cigar
He had a large cigar in his mouth
Needed my help said he lost his way
He asked for directions as he was lost
I never heard a word he said
I didn't listen to what he said
To find some street, said he wanted instructions
He needed directions to find a particular street
So I turned down the music
I reduced the volume of the radio
To point out directions, guess what?
To show him the way
Guy jumped on me messed up my clothes
The man attacked me and ruined my clothes
Smashed and grabbed my radio
He broke the radio and stole it
Calling all detectives
Asking for help from the police
A criminal at large smoking
The thief who stole the radio was smoking
A big fat cigar in a flashy car
He had a cigar and a stylish car
And think him some superstar
He thought of himself as very important
Life life without music
Life without music
I can't go go no
I cannot exist without music
I'm gonna get him
I will catch the thief
The last thing I do
I will do everything in my power to catch him
Must get a beating
He deserves to be punished
Till him red and blue
Until he is badly hurt
Didn't take long to catch him
He was caught quickly
Parked up car and music blasting
The thief had parked his car and was playing loud music
On the sidewalk he was dancing
He was dancing on the pavement
Stealing the show, the people watching
He was entertaining the people who were watching
Roller skate gang
A group of roller skaters
Was hot on his tracks
They were following him closely
Stick him up mister
Arrest him
Give me back Give me back
Repeating request to return the stolen radio
My radio
Referring to the stolen radio
Life without music
Life without music
Bimma! murder style
Amen! Aggressive style
Dem have fe get a beatin'
They must be punished
Say dem have fe get a beatin'
They deserve to be punished
Nothing greater nothing best
There is nothing better
Like the music from my wireless
Enjoyment from my radio
And the only thing that I detest
The only thing I hate
Is the man who steal my wireless
The person who stole my radio
him ha fe run like a fugitive
He has to run away
Him ha fe run from detective
He has to run away from the police
Samuel Thomas is the thief name
Identifying the thief's name as Samuel Thomas
lie must a lead life of shame
He must live a shameful life
Some a dem call him Uncle Sam
Some call him Uncle Sam
Some a dem call him Uncle Tom
Some call him Uncle Tom
Uncle Sam and Uncle Tom
Referring to the nicknames of the thief
Yes they are the same man
The same thief with different names
S.A.M. means "stealaway music"
Explaining the abbreviation SAM as stealaway music
T.O.M. means "thiefer of music"
Explaining the abbreviation TOM as thiefer of music
The druna and the bass
Referring to musical instruments
Have fe move me waist
Making me dance
The ridim and skank
Two different styles of music
Me have JAH fe thank.
Thanking God.
The lyrics and song
The music and lyrics
Me have fe keep me strong
Keeping me mentally strong
Samuel Thomas him have fe get vank
Samuel Thomas deserves to be punished
Him have fe get a beatin'
He should be beaten up
Him have fe get a beatin'
He deserves to be punished
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: David Robert Hinds
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Watcharrahs
My dad put me on to a lot of music when I was younger including Steel Pulse. I’m 28 now always find myself coming back to the music I grew up with.
@puchocrespo3386
Your dad is a badass
@katielemon2205
Yo same here
@joedirt8954
Don't forget your roots
@zabrizzL
welcome back
@bismarkattakora
Aww Same here
Good music memories
@olgergomez554
From Mexico!!!! listening best reggae ever. Steel Pulse in my heart... life without music... I can't go
@user-zj6vq2id7g
Anche io
@4sammyboy
68 yrs of age, too many memories of steel pulse concerts, includeing ventura threater , wow! Pure magic if you were there , an incredible vibe , everyone dancing and smoking.rob
@bettywax520
..ma1A9Aa011001119qq1110a⁰a0⁹¹😊😂❤