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.
Steppin Out
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Steppin' out, steppin' out
Steppin' out, steppin' out
Open Sesame, here comes Rastaman
Abracadabra, catch me if you can
I know
I am
The genie of your lamp and
I can do anything you wish but
Right now I am commanding you to dance
Steppin' out, steppin' out (wow, I'm stepping)
Steppin' out, steppin' out
Invisible music
Beam me up to the cradle of sound
Riddle me this, yeah
You cannot see it
Nowhere on Earth
Can this reggae be found, I said
I know
You find it hard to believe that
I am
The genie of your lamp and
I can
Do anything you wish but
Right now (right now)
Commanding you to dance
Rain down
Rain down, rain down
Brimstone
Thunder and lightning
Hurricane, uh-uh
Cyclone
Ask me this I tell you why
I know
You find it hard to believe that
I am
The genie of your lamp and
I can
Do anything you wish but
Right now (right now)
Commanding you to dance
Steppin' out, steppin' out (says I'm steppin')
Steppin' out, steppin' out
Says I'm stepping
Journey through the tunnel of love
Wisdom is respected hatred is rejected
From the planet dread I said it rains dub
Climb Aladin's ladder hotter reggae hot
Open Sesame
Here comes Rastaman
Abracadabra, catch me if you can
Open Sesame
Here comes Rastaman
Abracadabra, catch me if you can, hey
Steppin' out
Says I'm steppin' (steppin' out)
I says I steppin'
I steppin', steppin', eh (steppin' out)
Says I steppin' (steppin' out)
I says I steppin'
I steppin', steppin' (steppin' out, steppin' out)
Highest heights and hottest hot (steppin' out)
Rasta this and Dreadlocks that (steppin' out, steppin' out)
The move man's just can't stop (steppin' out)
I'm in the groove and I just can't stop (steppin' out, steppin' out)
'Cause I'm
In love with Jah music (steppin' out)
(Steppin' out, steppin' out)
Invisible music (steppin' out)
I says I steppin'
I steppin', steppin', eh (steppin' out, steppin' out)
The song "Steppin' Out" by Steel Pulse is a blend of reggae, funk, and soul music, with a message of positivity and liberation through music. The song features a catchy, upbeat melody and vibrant lyrics that command the listener to dance. The opening lines of the song, "Steppin' out, steppin' out, Open Sesame, here comes Rastaman," suggest a sense of adventure and excitement, inviting the listener to join in on the journey with the Rastaman.
The lyrics also reference the power of music and its ability to transport the listener to another place. The line "Invisible music, beam me up to the cradle of sound" suggests that the music is otherworldly and has the power to take the listener on a journey. This idea is reinforced throughout the song, with lines like "Journey through the tunnel of love, wisdom is respected, hatred is rejected" and "I'm in the groove and I just can't stop, 'cause I'm in love with Jah music."
Overall, "Steppin' Out" is a joyful celebration of music and its ability to bring people together and inspire positivity and liberation in the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Huh, flashy jam
Starting the song with a flashy upbeat tune
Steppin' out, steppin' out
Getting ready to step out
Open Sesame, here comes Rastaman
As one steps out, a Rastaman is ready to rock the music scene
Abracadabra, catch me if you can
The Rastaman is challenging the listeners to a groovy musical experience
I know
The Rastaman is reassuring the listeners of his musical prowess
You find it hard to believe that
The listeners are doubtful of the Rastaman's ability to command their attention with his music
I am
The Rastaman emphasizes on his godly ability to do everything
The genie of your lamp and
The Rastaman is using a metaphor of being a genie to explain his powers
I can do anything you wish but
He has the ability to make their wishes come true but for now he wants them to dance
Right now I am commanding you to dance
The Rastaman is asking the listeners to cut loose and groove to his music
Invisible music
The music we hear is from a world beyond our physical realm
Beam me up to the cradle of sound
The listeners are transported to a universe of amazing soundscapes
Riddle me this, yeah
The Rastaman wants to know if the listeners can figure out the magic behind his tunes
You cannot see it
The musical magic is not visible
Nowhere on Earth
This music is unique to this realm
Can this reggae be found, I said
The Rastaman wants the listeners to know that his reggae is the only one of its kind
Rain down
The music is descending like a gush of rain
Rain down, rain down
Repeating the rain metaphor to emphasize on the musical storm of melody and rhythm
Brimstone
The music is burning like hot brimstone
Thunder and lightning
Thundering basslines and electrifying beats
Hurricane, uh-uh
The music is like a hurricane, you can't escape its force
Cyclone
The music is like a cyclone, sweeping the listeners off their feet and blowing their minds
Ask me this I tell you why
The Rastaman can explain why he has magical musical powers
Journey through the tunnel of love
The Rastaman wants the listeners to experience the tunnel of love with his music
Wisdom is respected hatred is rejected
The Rastaman's music is about respect and love and not hatred
From the planet dread I said it rains dub
His music is dripping with dub, from the planet dread
Climb Aladin's ladder hotter reggae hot
The Rastaman invites the listeners to climb the ladder of hot reggae music
Highest heights and hottest hot
The music is the best of the best, the highest and the hottest
Rasta this and Dreadlocks that
The Rastaman is singing about Rastafarianism and the dreadlocks culture
The move man's just can't stop
The music's beat is so infectious it can make even the most still people move
I'm in the groove and I just can't stop
The Rastaman is in his element, grooving to his own music
In love with Jah music
The Rastaman makes music that he loves, the divine music of Jah
Says I'm stepping
The Rastaman is stepping out to spread his music
I says I steppin'
Reinforcing that he is stepping up and stepping out
I steppin', steppin', eh
Repeating that he is stepping out excessively, again and again
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Robert Hinds David
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@IGGYPUDKINS
Steppin' out, steppin' out
Steppin' out, steppin' out
Open sesame, here comes Rasta man
Abracadabra catch me if you can
I know you'll find it hard to believe
That I am the genie of your lamp
And I can do anything you wish
But right now, I am commanding you to dance
Steppin' out, steppin' out
Oh, I'm steppin' (steppin' out, steppin' out)
Invisible music
Beam me up to the cradle of sound
(Riddle me this)
You cannot see it
Nowhere on Earth can this Reggae be found
I said, I know you'll find it hard to believe
That I am The genie of your lamp
And I can do anything you wish
But right now (right now)
I'm commanding you to dance
Rain down, rain down (rain down)
Brimstone, thunder, and lightning
Hurricane, ooh, ooh
Cyclone
Ask me this, I tell you why
I know you'll find it hard to believe
That I am the genie of your lamp
And I can do anything you wish
But right now (right now)
I'm commanding you to dance
Steppin' out, steppin' out
Steppin' out, says I'm steppin', steppin' out (steppin' out)
Says I'm steppin'
Journey through the tunnel of love
Wisdom is respected, hatred is rejected
On the planet dread, I say it rains dub
Climb Aladdin's ladder, hotter reggae hot
Open sesame, here comes Rasta man
Abracadabra, catch me if you can
Open sesame, here comes Rasta man
Abracadabra, catch me if you can (hey)
Steppin' out, says I'm steppin' (steppin' out)
I says, I'm steppin', I'm steppin', steppin' (steppin' out)
Says, I'm steppin' (steppin' out)
I says, I'm steppin', I'm steppin', steppin' (steppin' out)
Highest heights and hottest hot (steppin' out)
Rasta this and Dreadlocks that (steppin' out)
Jah movement just can't stop (steppin' out)
I'm in the groove, and I just can't stop (steppin' out)
'Cause I'm, in love with Jah music (steppin' out)
Invisible music (steppin' out)
I says, I'm steppin', I'm steppin', steppin' (steppin' out)
I says, I'm steppin', I'm steppin', steppin' (steppin' out)
@danielcarrasco6109
Stepping out, stepping out
Stepping out, stepping out
Open says a me
Here comes Rasta Man
Abracadabra me seh
Catch me if you can
I know
You’ll find it hard to believe that
I am
The genie of your lamp
I can
Do anything you wish but
Right now
I am commanding you to dance
(Refrão)
Stepping out, stepping out
Stepping out, stepping out
Invisible music
Beam me up to the cradle of sound
(Riddle me this)
You cannot see it
Nowhere on earth
Can this reggae be found
I know
You’ll find it hard to believe that
I am
The genie of your lamp
I can
Do anything you wish but
Right now
I am commanding you to dance
Rain Dub Rain Dub Rain Dub
BRIMSTONE HURRICANE CYCLONE
Ask me this I tell you why
I know
You’ll find it hard to believe that
I am
The genie of your lamp
I can
Do anything you wish but
Right now
I am commanding you to dance
CHORUS
Stepping out stepping out
Stepping out stepping out
Journey through the tunnel of loce
Wisdom is respected hatred is rejected
On the planet Dread it rains dub
Climb Alladin’s ladder hotter reggae hot
Open says a me
Here comes Rasta Man
Open says a me
Here comes Rasta Man
Catch me if you can, hey!
Steppin out, say’s I’m steppin out
I know I am I can right now I’m steppin
Highest heights and hottest hot
Rasta this and Dreadlocks that
On the move I just can’t stop
I’m in the groove and I just can’t stop
Cause I’m
In love with JAH music
Invisible music
@shawnmichael7326
Steel pulse is hands down one of the best reggae groups ever
@realmcoy4696
Facts ones of my fav bands with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh!✌✌
@taffotientoure6564
00
@Ho6uitar
I AGREE
@effortlessproductions
big facts!
@taryseingram2772
@@realmcoy4696😊
@shawnmichael7326
I'm a white boy and reggae is my music. Only music to relax me. It lifts my spirits.
@fredflintstone5240
Respect brother
@danielkono6299
Reggae Music don't mind about your skin colour , Bro . . . Your blood a run red like I and I
I am a black West African dude who likes AC/DC in a zone where hard rock is not popular . . .
The vibe/groove is all that matters
@shawnmichael7326
@@danielkono6299 The blood of Jesus