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.
The Real Terrorist
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got an axe to grind and I've
I've got this bone to pick
I don't want to mince my words oh no
Cause that is politricks
Your lies and hypocrisy
In the name of democracy
You living in a world so carnal
A you, A you A you the cap fits
A you, A you from the bottomless pit
A you, A you the real the real
CHORUS
The Real Terrorist
The Real terrorist
The real Terrorist
The real Terrorist
Yes we see through your disguise
And what we see we sure despise
(let me tell you this)
UnIntelligence agency
Corruption is your policy
The root of all confusion
To start another revolution yeah
A you, A you A you the cap fits
A you, A you from the bottomless pit
A you, A you so real so real
CHORUS
A you, A you A you the cap fits
A you, A you from the bottomless pit
A you, A you De pon top of the list
A you, A you so real so real
CHORUS
As long as you exist
And poverty persist
The topic of the list
You a de real terrorist
As long as you exist
And poverty persist
I say's you full a shit
You are the real terrorist
CHORUS
The Real Terrorist by Steel Pulse is a social commentary on the state of democracy and government. The lyrics reflect the artist's frustration with the hypocrisy and lies of politicians that carry out corruption in the name of democracy. The lyrics are aggressive and straight-forward, as the artist doesn't want to mince his words. The song calls out the "unIntelligence agency" and tells listeners to see through their disguise. The artist also suggests that the government is responsible for starting "another revolution" due to their corruption and confusion.
The use of the term "ultimate Ginal" is significant as it refers to a person who is disloyal and unfaithful. In this case, the artist is calling out the government for its unfaithfulness to the people they serve. The repetition of "A you, A you" in the lyrics emphasizes that the blame lies with the government as the "real terrorist." The chorus further highlights the theme of the song by stating that poverty persists as long as the government exists, and therefore they are the "real terrorist."
Line by Line Meaning
I've got an axe to grind and I've
I have a strong grievance and I am determined to express it
I've got this bone to pick
I have a complaint or a disagreement that I want to confront
I don't want to mince my words oh no
I am not going to be indirect, I want to speak clearly and directly
Cause that is politricks
Being indirect or using deceit to manipulate people is a common political strategy
Your lies and hypocrisy
Your deceitful behavior and double standards
In the name of democracy
You use the concept of democracy as a way to justify your behavior
You living in a world so carnal
You are absorbed in worldly and materialistic interests
You are the ultimate Ginal yeah
You are the ultimate betrayal / fake
A you, A you A you the cap fits
You are the one to whom these accusations apply
A you, A you from the bottomless pit
You come from an endless source of trouble and chaos
A you, A you the real the real
You are the true embodiment of these negative qualities
CHORUS
Repeating that the real terrorist is the person being described
Yes we see through your disguise
We recognize that you are not what you pretend to be
And what we see we sure despise
We hate what we have learned about your true character
(let me tell you this)
The singer is emphatic about what follows
UnIntelligence agency
The agency responsible for gathering intelligence is not doing its job
Corruption is your policy
You are intentionally corrupt in order to maintain power
The root of all confusion
Corruption is the cause of confusion and chaos
To start another revolution yeah
Your behavior is likely to rouse people to rebel against you
A you, A you A you the cap fits
Reiterating that you are the one to whom these accusations apply
A you, A you from the bottomless pit
Reiterating that you keep causing trouble and chaos
A you, A you so real so real
Reiterating that you are a true embodiment of these negative qualities
CHORUS
Repeating that the real terrorist is the person being described
A you, A you A you the cap fits
Reiterating that you are the one to whom these accusations apply
A you, A you from the bottomless pit
Reiterating that you keep causing trouble and chaos
A you, A you De pon top of the list
Reiterating that you are at the very top of all wrongdoers
A you, A you so real so real
Reiterating that you are a true embodiment of these negative qualities
CHORUS
Repeating that the real terrorist is the person being described
As long as you exist
For as long as you continue to exist
And poverty persist
Poverty remains a problem
The topic of the list
You are the main concern and problem in this situation
You a de real terrorist
You are the true terrorist in every sense of the word
As long as you exist
Reiterating that you are a long-standing problem
And poverty persist
Reiterating that poverty is still a major issue
I say's you full a shit
I am telling you that you are complete nonsense
You are the real terrorist
Reiterating that you are the true terrorist in this scenario
CHORUS
Repeating that the real terrorist is the person being described
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Shihab Mahgoub
No one write lyrics and sing it like David# he is the man when it comes to pointing the finger. TOP TUNE.
ericjungleboy
This was the best song on the Rage and Fury album, definitely.
ownleedank
great album, and track. I LOVE Steel Pulse. Come Back To Madison WI
504 Headbussa
babylon falling ... listening to this prophecy in 2019
ELMSTREETSNIPER
grew up on this mane
A. Pommereau
wicked!!! Rage & Fury, indeed!!
Claude Ashley
j'adore le groupe STEEL PULSE.....
Lion Wears The Crown
Glad I know what I know
xxxDREADEDxxx
RAS TAFARI! ✊🏿
Ita Jam
I wonder if they played real terrorist when they were invited to play at the white house