Steel Pulse is a British roots reggae band from Birmingham, England. They w… Read Full Bio ↴Steel Pulse is a British roots reggae band from Birmingham, England. They were the first non-Jamaican act to win the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for their 1986 album Babylon The Bandit.

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.

Stay With The Rhythm
Steel Pulse Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Come and join in dis ya session
'Cause we're going on a mission
Get your ticket at the station
'Cause we're making this connection
We have been to many places
We've been near and far
We have learned to count our blessings
We have seen our guiding star

CHORUS
Pick up your bags and get your ticket
Don't hang around or you will miss it
This is the King Sound, whole world love it
Sweet reggae music, mek you so fit
Hey hey rock with the vibe, don't disturb it
Move with the beat and groove it
Bubble and settle bit by bit
Stay with the rhythm, don't quit

We've got goals and aspirations
We've got hopes and we've got fears
We're flesh and blood and mind and spirit
We make laughter and cry tears

CHORUS
Pick up your bags and get your ticket
Don't hang around or you will miss it
This is the King Sound, whole world love it
Sweet reggae music, mek you so fit
Hey hey rock with the vibe, don't disturb it
Move with the beat and groove it
Bubble and settle bit by bit
Stay with the rhythm, don't quit

We're moving in the right direction
As we're making this connection
This train ride is like a vision
Many are called but few are chosen

CHORUS
Pick up your bags and get your ticket
Don't hang around or you will miss it
This is the King Sound, whole world love it
Sweet reggae music, mek you so fit
Hey hey rock with the vibe, don't disturb it
Move with the beat and groove it

Bubble and settle bit by bit
Stay with the rhythm, don't quit

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Steel Pulse's song Stay With The Rhythm is an invitation for listeners to come aboard the Reggae Train and embark on a journey that promises to connect them to their inner souls. The opening lines are of a station master welcoming passengers aboard the non-stop service that promises to be filled with sweet reggae music that will keep them fit. The lyrics encourage listeners to be a part of the session, to take a ticket at the station and embark on the mission that the train ride symbolizes.

The song's chorus reinforces the theme of the lyrics, encouraging listeners not to miss the train, to stay with the rhythm, move with the beat, and groove with the vibe. The lyrics emphasize that regardless of their goals and aspirations, fears and hopes, one's mind, body, and soul will become one with the rhythmic flow of reggae music. The song's lyrics end on a note of progress, where the train is moving in the right direction, and the connection made is one of vision, where many are called, but few are chosen.

The song's lyrics are an invitation for listeners to join in the journey of self-discovery that reggae music promises. The lyrics emphasize the importance of being in tune with oneself, one's soul, and the universe and encourages listeners to stay with the rhythm, to move with the beat, and to groove with the vibe. The song's message is clear, that through reggae music, one can connect to oneself and others, and embark on a journey of infinite possibilities.

Line by Line Meaning

Ladies and Gentlemen This is your Station Master speaking Welcome aboard this Reggae Train Please make yourself at home 'Cause this is a non-stop service To your inner soul I hope you enjoy your journey And continue to travel with us in the future
We welcome you to our train of reggae music. Enjoy the non-stop service which will connect you to your inner soul. We hope you have a pleasant journey and continue to travel with us in the future.

Come and join in dis ya session 'Cause we're going on a mission Get your ticket at the station 'Cause we're making this connection We have been to many places We've been near and far We have learned to count our blessings We have seen our guiding star
Join us in our mission, which is to connect with people through reggae music. We have been on this journey to different places, learned our lessons, and followed our guiding star.

CHORUS Pick up your bags and get your ticket Don't hang around or you will miss it This is the King Sound, whole world love it Sweet reggae music, mek you so fit Hey hey rock with the vibe, don't disturb it Move with the beat and groove it Bubble and settle bit by bit Stay with the rhythm, don't quit
Chorus: Pick up your bags and get ready to travel with us. Don't waste time or you will miss the journey. Reggae music is loved by the whole world and makes you feel good. Follow the rhythm, rock and dance. Relax, get into the groove and stay with the rhythm.

We've got goals and aspirations We've got hopes and we've got fears We're flesh and blood and mind and spirit We make laughter and cry tears
We, like everyone else, have our goals, aspirations, hopes, and fears. We are not just bodies, but also have minds and spirits. We experience both happiness and sadness.

We're moving in the right direction As we're making this connection This train ride is like a vision Many are called but few are chosen
We are going in the right direction as we make our connection with others through reggae music. This train journey is like a vision that not everyone can see or share.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: SELWYN DELRAINZE BROWN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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