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.
We Can Do It
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guns and ammunition
We can do it if we try
I tell you what the reason
Causing all the friction
Discrimination is a crime
We can do it
If we try
Let war and hatred
Pass us by
CHORUS
We can do it if we try
Let war and hate just pass us by
We can do it if we try
Right now! Ah ha ha
My generation
God help the children
My generation
God help the children
If parents only had more
Time for understanding
The youth won't have to turn to drugs
There's only one solution
Causing all the problem
We talking universal love
We can do it
If we try
Let war and hatred
Pass us by
CHORUS
We can do it if we try
Let war and hate just pass us by
We can do it if we try
Right now! Ah ha ha
My generation
God help the children
My generation
God help the children
RAP: PATO BANTON
It's time to stop and think about
What you done to others
And if it's good we'll go ahead
And JAH will sure protect you
But if it's bad just watch your step
Cause you will surely stumble
Remember who inherit the land
The meek and very humble
My generation
God help the children
My generation
God help the children
DAVID:
Wheel and turn Mister Banton
Part of the original ghetto crew
PATO:
Yes David, all the way from Handsworth
Wha you a sey Boss?
DAVID:
GWAAAAARN
PATO:
Easy. Stop the fuss and stop the fight
I'm positive that we can do it
DAVID:
Equal rights to Black and White
It ain't so hard to do it
PATO:
Live as one under moon and sun
Everyone I know that we can do it
DAVID:
Open you heart and live as one
I know that we can
We can do it
If we try
Let war and hatred
Pass us by
D.J. CODA:
Throw down your guns and pick up the love
Yes I know that we can do it
Throw down your guns and pick up JAH love
Yes I know that we can do it
Steel Pulse's "We Can Do It" is a call for unity and equality amongst all people. The lyrics suggest that it is time to put aside weapons and ammunition and come together as a society to fight against the crime of discrimination. The song's chorus serves as an encouragement to unite against war and hate to work towards a better, more harmonious world.
The lyrics go on to stress the importance of understanding in the younger generation, as well as the need to eradicate drug use. The solution to these problems, according to the song, is universal love. The song calls for people to come together to create a solution to these ongoing problems, focusing on building and not breaking down the community.
The song starts with a rap verse from Pato Banton, who advises listeners to consider their actions towards others. The verse warns listeners that Jah will protect the good ones, and those who do not act with kindness towards others will stumble. The song serves as a plea for people to embrace one another and work together to make the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
It's time to put away our Guns and ammunition
We need to stop using weapons and violence to solve problems
We can do it if we try
We can succeed if we put effort into making positive changes
I tell you what the reason Causing all the friction Discrimination is a crime
Discrimination is the root issue causing conflict and tension
Let war and hatred Pass us by
We should reject and avoid violent and hateful behavior
We can do it if we try Right now! Ah ha ha
We have the power to make a positive impact right away; we just need to focus and take action
If parents only had more Time for understanding The youth won't have to turn to drugs
If adults listened and showed empathy, young people wouldn't need to turn to drugs or other negative coping methods
There's only one solution Causing all the problem We talking universal love
Love is the only answer to the issue causing all the problems
My generation God help the children
The current generation needs divine intervention to protect and support future generations
It's time to stop and think about What you done to others And if it's good we'll go ahead And JAH will sure protect you But if it's bad just watch your step Cause you will surely stumble Remember who inherit the land The meek and very humble
Everyone should reflect on their actions towards others and strive for goodness, which will be blessed by God, but bad deeds will have consequences and the humble will inherit the land
Wheel and turn Mister Banton Part of the original ghetto crew
Acknowledging Pato Banton's place as part of the authentic urban community
Yes David, all the way from Handsworth Wha you a sey Boss?
Pato Banton is from Handsworth and David is greeting him as a boss
Easy. Stop the fuss and stop the fight I'm positive that we can do it
Let's calm down and believe that we can make positive changes
Equal rights to Black and White It ain't so hard to do it
Giving everyone equal rights regardless of race is not a difficult task
Live as one under moon and sun Everyone I know that we can do it
We need to live together in peace and cooperation and it's possible
Open you heart and live as one I know that we can
Being open to loving and accepting others will bring us closer together
Throw down your guns and pick up the love Yes I know that we can do it
We need to replace hate with love in order to achieve peace
Throw down your guns and pick up JAH love Yes I know that we can do it
We need to embrace God's love in order to replace violence with peace
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lawrence Njawe
One of the best tracks on thus album
Pound Cake
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