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.
When You're in Love With a Beautiful Woman
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, you know it's hard;
Everybody wants her, everybody loves her;
Everybody wants to take your baby home;
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, you watch your friends;
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, it never ends;
You, know that it's crazy and you wanna trust her;
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, you go it alone.
Maybe it's just an ego problem;
Problem is that I've been fooled before;
by fairweather friends and faint hearted lovers;
And every time it happens, it just convinces me more;
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, you watch her eyes;
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, you look for lies;
'Cause everybody tempts her,
everybody tells her she's the most beautiful woman they know;
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, you go it alone.
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, you watch your friends;
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, it never ends;
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, you watch her eyes;
Steel Pulse's song "When You're in Love With a Beautiful Woman" tackles the challenges of being in love with someone who is stunningly beautiful. The song highlights how difficult it is to feel secure in a relationship when everyone is vying for your partner's attention. The first stanza illustrates how hard it is to be in a relationship with a beautiful woman, as everyone wants her and wants to take her home. The second verse alludes to how difficult it is to trust someone when it feels like there are always people trying to tempt them away, illustrated by somebody hanging up when you answer the phone. The third verse shows how much pressure there is when you're in love with someone beautiful, as they are the most beautiful woman everyone knows.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, it's hard;
Being in love with a beautiful woman is difficult and challenging.
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, you know it's hard;
You are aware that being in love with a beautiful woman is not easy.
Everybody wants her, everybody loves her;
Many people are attracted to and admire the beautiful woman you love.
Everybody wants to take your baby home;
Everyone wants to be with the woman you love.
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, you watch your friends;
You are cautious and suspicious of your friends when you love a beautiful woman.
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, it never ends;
Being in love with a beautiful woman is an ongoing and sometimes tiring experience.
You, know that it's crazy and you wanna trust her;
You are aware that it may seem irrational, but you want to trust the woman you love.
Then somebody hangs up when you answer the phone;
Someone might be trying to sabotage your relationship by avoiding communication with you.
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, you go it alone.
In the end, you have to face the challenges of loving a beautiful woman on your own.
Maybe it's just an ego problem;
Perhaps your love for a beautiful woman is rooted in your own ego and insecurities.
Problem is that I've been fooled before;
You have experienced being deceived in the past.
by fairweather friends and faint hearted lovers;
You have been betrayed by people who were not true friends or committed partners.
And every time it happens, it just convinces me more;
Each time you are betrayed, it reinforces your doubts and fears about love.
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, you watch her eyes;
You pay close attention to the behavior and emotions of the woman you love.
When you're in love with a beautiful woman, you look for lies;
You are always suspicious of dishonesty and deceit from the woman you love.
'Cause everybody tempts her,
Many people try to seduce or lure the woman you love away from you.
everybody tells her she's the most beautiful woman they know;
Others constantly flatter and compliment the woman you love.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EVEN STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chriswalker8844
I got to this after watching Even Stevens utube video in which he said this was the best version he has heard of the song, praise indeed.
@kennethgodwin7769
that's why I looked them up. LOL
@blackbeans4me95
STEEL PULSE 🔥💨 great job. Even Even Steven’s favorite cover
@demon_dgaming8548
I had the album in 1997. It got stolen from me and since then I have been searching for this song until now I have found it after sooo many years thank you 🙏
@luiseduardofiuza866
Steel Pulse is great!
@GirlGeorgeTVshow
Written by Even Stevens.
@h.h.jainandan-jha3264
great music reggae fibe
@danny3207
Great but no mention of the band that performed it,the fantastic STEEL PULSE.
@stephentravis6127
Listened to Even Stevens recounting the writing of this song, he mentions Steel Pulse as on of his favorite covers of the song. Pretty good recommendation, since he wrote it.
@CashMoney61930
Did Steel Pulse Actually make this a song cuz I can’t find it on neither of my music apps 😭😭