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.
Whirlwind Romance
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pretty lady standing there
I'm telling you that you're looking fair
Cause I've got my eyes on you
I can tell by the way you stare
Romance is in the air
The words I say are true
Never in my wildest dreams
I've ever know a love so real
The changes that you put me through
So tell me baby can you feel
A love that's come to heal
Yes I'm head over heels in
CHORUS
This whirlwind romance
Just give me a chance
This whirlwind romance
Just give me a chance
Can you feel it
Can you feel it feel it feel it
Can you feel it
Can you feel it feel it feel it
There's no place I'd rather be
Than to have you right here next to me
We will rock the whole night through
I'm living out my fantasy
Love is my destiny
There's only room for two
I'm bursting with this energy
I want your heart to conquer me
An experience brand new
I want you to understand
I just want to be your man
And make sweet love to you
This love is overwhelming
My emotion showing
No I can't help the way I'm feeling
Yes I'm head over heels
CHORUS
This whirlwind romance
Just give me a chance
This whirlwind romance
Just give me a chance
Can you feel it
Can you feel it feel it feel it
Can you feel it
Can you feel it feel it feel it
Whirlwind romance whirlwind romance
Gimme your heart and I'll
Give you my love
Wildest dreams heaven above
In Steel Pulse's song "Whirlwind Romance," the singer expresses his intense feelings for a woman. He starts by complimenting her appearance and acknowledging that he can tell she's interested in him by the way she looks at him. He then admits that he has never experienced a love so real before and expresses his desire to be with her. The singer is overwhelmed with emotion and asks the woman to give him a chance to be with her, to experience a "whirlwind romance." He wants to rock the whole night through and make sweet love to her. The singer is determined to make this relationship work and assures the woman that there is only room for two in his heart.
Overall, the song's lyrics are about the excitement and intensity of a new romantic relationship. The singer is eager to explore this connection and seems to be experiencing emotions that he has never felt before. He sees the potential for a fulfilling future with this person.
Line by Line Meaning
Pretty lady standing there
The singer sees a beautiful woman nearby
I'm telling you that you're looking fair
The singer is complimenting the woman's appearance
Cause I've got my eyes on you
The singer is attracted to the woman and is watching her
I can tell by the way you stare
The woman is also interested in the singer
Romance is in the air
There is a feeling of love and connection between the two
The words I say are true
The singer is being sincere in his feelings for the woman
Never in my wildest dreams
The love the singer is experiencing is beyond what he imagined
I've ever know a love so real
The singer has never felt love like this before
The changes that you put me through
The woman has had a profound effect on the singer's life
So tell me baby can you feel
The singer is asking if the woman feels the same way
A love that's come to heal
Their love is helping to heal past wounds or heartbreak
Yes I'm head over heels in
The singer is completely in love with the woman
CHORUS
The chorus repeats the title of the song and expresses the singer's desire for a chance at love
There's no place I'd rather be
The singer wants to be with the woman more than anywhere else
Than to have you right here next to me
The singer wants to be physically close to the woman
We will rock the whole night through
The singer wants to spend a long time with the woman
I'm living out my fantasy
Being with the woman is like a dream come true for the singer
Love is my destiny
The singer believes that he is meant to be with the woman
There's only room for two
The singer only wants to be with the woman, just the two of them
I'm bursting with this energy
The singer is filled with excitement and passion
I want your heart to conquer me
The singer wants the woman to love him and overpower him with her feelings
An experience brand new
Being with the woman is an exciting and unique experience for the singer
I want you to understand
The singer wants the woman to know how he feels
I just want to be your man
The singer wants to be the woman's boyfriend or partner
And make sweet love to you
The singer wants to have a physical relationship with the woman
This love is overwhelming
The singer's love for the woman is intense and all-consuming
My emotion showing
The singer is wearing his heart on his sleeve and expressing his feelings
No I can't help the way I'm feeling
The singer cannot control his feelings for the woman
Yes I'm head over heels
The singer is completely in love with the woman
CHORUS
The chorus repeats the title of the song and expresses the singer's desire for a chance at love
Whirlwind romance whirlwind romance
The singer is describing their love as a whirlwind, something intense and fast-moving
Gimme your heart and I'll
The singer wants the woman to give him her love in return
Give you my love
The singer promises to give the woman his love in return
Wildest dreams heaven above
Their love is beyond even the singer's wildest dreams
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind