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.
Stepping Out
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Steppin' out, steppin' 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
I can o anything you wish but
Right now I am commanding you to dance
Steppin' out, steppin' out
Steppin' out, steppin' out
Open says a me, here comes Rasta man
Abracadabra me seh, catch me if you can
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 know
You'll find it hard to believe that
l am
The genie of your lamp and
I can
Do anything you wish but
Right now
I am commanding you to dance
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 and
I can
Do anything you wish but
Right now
I am commanding you to dance
Steppin' out, steppin' out
Steppin' out, steppin' out
Open says a me, here comes Rasta man
Abracadabra me seh, catch me if you can
Steppin' out, steppin' out
Journey through the tunnel of love
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
Abracadabra me seh
Open says a me
Here comes Rasta man
Abracadabra
Catch me if you can hey
Steppin' out, says 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
The song "Stepping Out" by Steel Pulse is a reggae classic that tells a story of a Rasta man, who claims to be a genie and commands people to dance. The lyrics are full of imagery, metaphors, and wordplay, which makes it a joy to interpret. The chorus "Stepping Out" is repeated often throughout the song, and it is an invitation for people to dance and enjoy themselves. The first couplet "Open says a me, here come Rasta man Abracadabra me seh, catch me if you can" is a play on the phrase "Open Sesame," which is a magical password used in folk tales. The Rasta man claims to be a genie, and he challenges people to catch him if they can. The lyrics also suggest that the Rasta man's music is invisible, and it can transport people to the "cradle of sound," where they can experience the highest heights and hottest hot of reggae music.
The second verse of the song talks about the Rasta man's power and the things he can do as a genie. He claims that he can do anything people wish, but at the moment, he is commanding them to dance. The following lines, "Brimstone hurricane cyclone, ask me this, I tell you why," suggest that the Rasta man is all-knowing, and he has a solution for every problem. The lyrics also mention Aladdin's ladder and dub rain on the planet dread, which are allusions to Arabian Nights and Rastafarian culture, respectively. The last verse of the song suggests that the Rasta man's music is JAH music, which is his way of expressing his love for reggae and the Rastafarian way of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Steppin' out, steppin' out
Moving forward, making progress.
Open says a me, here comes Rasta man
Announcing arrival and introducing oneself as a person of Rastafarian faith.
Abracadabra me seh, catch me if you can
Using a magic word to dare someone to try to catch you.
I know
Assuming familiarity with the listener.
You'll find it hard to believe that
Implying that the following statement may be unlikely, but true.
I am
Identifying oneself as the singer.
The genie of your lamp and
Describing oneself as capable of fulfilling wishes.
I can do anything you wish but
Reiterating the ability to fulfill wishes, but with a specific command.
Right now
Emphasizing the immediacy of the following command.
I am commanding you to dance
Ordering the listener to dance.
Invisible music
Describing the quality of the music as not having a physical form.
Beam me up to the cradle of sound
Requesting to be transported to a place of high-quality music.
(riddle me this)
Introducing a question or puzzle.
You cannot see it
Stating that the answer to the puzzle cannot be directly observed.
Nowhere on Earth
Emphasizing the rarity or uniqueness of the answer.
Can this reggae be found
Addressing the style of music and indicating that it is not commonly found.
BRIMSTONE HURRICANE CYCLONE
Naming natural disasters to emphasize the intensity of the situation.
Ask me this I tell you why
Offering to provide an explanation or reason for something.
Journey through the tunnel of love
Describing a metaphorical passage of emotions.
Wisdom is respected hatred is rejected
Expressing a value system that places importance on wisdom and rejects hatred.
On the planet dread it rains dub
Describing a place where the music genre of dub is an integral part of the culture.
Climb Alladin's ladder hotter reggae hot
Using a reference to the story of Aladdin and Jasmine to describe reaching a higher level of reggae music.
I'm in the groove and I just can't stop
Expressing enthusiasm and enjoyment of the music.
In love with JAH music
Describing a deep appreciation and connection to music that has spiritual significance.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: David Robert Hinds
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
glenn messick
The background girl just has a GROOVE and a half. Love this clip
iscream22
Thanks for posting Steven! Remember having this on the HT Cup dvd back in the day. Love me some Steel Pulse
BBDRUMS28
What a great performance and excellent venue :D
Leonardo Cantarini
English reggae is very good, broken rhythm, one of the best I've ever been in my life, thank you steel pulse, Brazil's embrace.
GUITARRA FLAMENCA
The Band is From England but The Reggae is Jamaican, like Bossa Nova is Brazilian or Rock’nRoll is American 😜👍🏻
Michiel v/d Vlies
it is more adapted to England i guess, it got more rock and punk influences. Steel Pulse, Aswad, The Amharic, Matumbi
Linco Padilla
Bass line is crazy good!! love this song live!
Dayrel Lewis
I seen them for the first time ever last night at Del Mar. They were great I been missing out.
Think Massive Thoughts
Love this song...especially when you see them live.
Erik Giorgi
Saw them live over the summer. Best live concert I have ever experienced.