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.
Rumours
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bells on my toe, yet I hear no music
Shouldn't we be jangling to and fro oh!
I hear no music
Fortune teller please rub your crystal ball
My love I gonna lose her
Things seem to be hazy
Good gosh is that my life oh
Cause I'm feeling disarrayed yeh
Rumours they were not true
What they said about me to you no
You always made mountains out of mole hills
Yes you did
News spread like wild fire
If I could turn back the clock
I would prove to you that
I'm no two timer I'm no liar
Since you've washed your hands off me yeh
Off what I've got to offer
Got to go back to the start
Now that we are apart
Love once true has now fallen through
Over my face hangs a cloud
Sad eyes filled with rain
Pours down my body of drought
Another lesson has been taught
I stand alone and count my loss yeh
So I've got to keep cool yeh
Render my love and you refused it
Got to keep cool render my love
And you disapproved it
Rumours they were no true
What they said about me to you
Got to keep cool.
In Steel Pulse's song "Rumours," the lyrics tell the story of a relationship that has fallen apart due to rumors and misunderstandings. The first stanza talks about the discrepancy between the persona of the couple in question. The use of "rings on your fingers" and "bells on my toe" might be a metaphor for the contrast between extravagance and frugality in the relationship. The singer realizes something is not right when they don't hear the expected "music" or harmony from the relationship. They then reach out for a fortune teller and magician to alter their fate. However, the rumors seem to have taken over, and the singer reflects on the affection they have lost due to unfounded rumors. They acknowledge the impact of this on the relationship, and now that it is over, they are left to count their losses.
Line by Line Meaning
Rings on your fingers
You have all the material possessions one could wish for
Bells on my toe, yet I hear no music
I have everything I need, but I am still not happy
Shouldn't we be jangling to and fro oh!
We should be happy together, shouldn't we?
I hear no music
I am not happy in this relationship
Fortune teller please rub your crystal ball
I wish I knew what the future held for us
My love I gonna lose her
I am afraid I will lose the one I love
Things seem to be hazy
I can't see clearly what the future holds
Good gosh is that my life oh
I can't believe this is my life
Magician wave your wand
I wish someone could make things better
Cause I'm feeling disarrayed yeh
I am feeling overwhelmed and confused
Rumours they were not true
The things people said about me are false
What they said about me to you no
Don't believe everything you hear about me
You always made mountains out of mole hills
You tend to exaggerate small problems
Yes you did
That's the truth
News spread like wild fire
Gossip travels quickly
If I could turn back the clock
I wish I could go back in time
I would prove to you that
I am not the person they say I am
I'm no two timer I'm no liar
I am not cheating on you and I am telling the truth
Since you've washed your hands off me yeh
Since you have broken up with me
Off what I've got to offer
You don't appreciate what I have to offer
Got to go back to the start
I need to start over
Now that we are apart
Now that we have broken up
Love once true has now fallen through
Our love is over and it once was true
Over my face hangs a cloud
I am sad and unhappy
Sad eyes filled with rain
My eyes are filled with tears
Pours down my body of drought
I am feeling empty and lacking
Another lesson has been taught
I have learned something from this experience
I stand alone and count my loss yeh
I am alone, and I am realizing what I have lost
So I've got to keep cool yeh
I need to stay calm and not let my emotions take over
Render my love and you refused it
I gave you my love, and you did not appreciate it
Got to keep cool render my love
I need to stay calm and keep giving love
And you disapproved it
You did not appreciate my love
Rumours they were no true
The rumors about me were false
What they said about me to you
Don't believe everything you hear about me
Got to keep cool.
I need to stay calm
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: David Robert Hinds
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rafael C.
Rings on your fingers
Bells on my toe, yet I hear no music
Shouldn't we be jangling to and fro oh!
I hear no music
Fortune teller please rub your crystal ball
My love I gonna lose her
Things seem to be hazy
Good gosh is that my life oh
Magician wave your wand
Cause I'm feeling disarrayed yeh
Rumours they were not true
What they said about me to you no
You always made mountains out of mole hills
Yes you did
News spread like wild fire
If I could turn back the clock
I would prove to you that
I'm no two timer I'm no liar
Since you've washed your hands off me yeh
Off what I've got to offer
Got to go back to the start
Now that we are apart
Love once true has now fallen through
Over my face hangs a cloud
Sad eyes filled with rain
Pours down my body of drought
Another lesson has been taught
I stand alone and count my loss yeh
So I've got to keep cool yeh
Render my love and you refused it
Got to keep cool render my love
And you disapproved it
Rumours they were no true
What they said about me to you
Got to keep cool.
relaxpayourincometax
What a band! Still a musical anchor for me amidst so much change.
brian ladder
Gwan!
Propaganja
Classic steel pulse. Most underrated album
neiteve zana
Grew up listening to Steel Pulse, a class act.
Marguerite Genevieve
Love🥰 Steel Pulse one of the greatest band
Brent L.
This album kills it.
neiteve zana
Grew up listening to these beautiful tunes.We all wanted to be David Hinds, Grizzly etc,really looked up to these guys when we were in high school and college.
Rafael C.
Rings on your fingers
Bells on my toe, yet I hear no music
Shouldn't we be jangling to and fro oh!
I hear no music
Fortune teller please rub your crystal ball
My love I gonna lose her
Things seem to be hazy
Good gosh is that my life oh
Magician wave your wand
Cause I'm feeling disarrayed yeh
Rumours they were not true
What they said about me to you no
You always made mountains out of mole hills
Yes you did
News spread like wild fire
If I could turn back the clock
I would prove to you that
I'm no two timer I'm no liar
Since you've washed your hands off me yeh
Off what I've got to offer
Got to go back to the start
Now that we are apart
Love once true has now fallen through
Over my face hangs a cloud
Sad eyes filled with rain
Pours down my body of drought
Another lesson has been taught
I stand alone and count my loss yeh
So I've got to keep cool yeh
Render my love and you refused it
Got to keep cool render my love
And you disapproved it
Rumours they were no true
What they said about me to you
Got to keep cool.
Bernard Williams
This tunes never out of reality
Kayla Reef
Seeen!