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.
Your House
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Realized that so much
When I first met you
That was some time ago
From then until this
Resist, no, no, no, close to you, see
Oh yes, right from the start
Oh, no, no, no, could never part
(I wanna live in your house)
I wanna live in your house
(I wanna live in your house) your house
Wanna live in your house
You say dry your, don't
Wipe that tear drops from your eyes
Was in a little situation
Came with a solution (solution)
Was a revelation to hear
Triumphant calling
Triumphant trumpets
(I wanna live in your house)
I wanna live in your house
(I wanna live in your house)
Oh, I no hear
Too much for what some say
'Cause at the close of the day
They'll be so far away
But then I know
One things for certain
'Cause at the closing of the oh
Yes, I know one thing for certain
You'll be there, you'll be there
It was you
That raise the flag above my head
Once when I was, once when I was
In a little situation
Came with a, came with a solution (solution)
Was a revelation to hear
Triumphant calling
Triumphant trumpets
I wanna live in your house
Wanna live in your house
I wanna, I wanna, I wanna live in your house
To make a home
To make a home yeah
The lyrics to Steel Pulse's song "Your House" convey a deep sense of love and devotion. The chorus, which repeats the line "I wanna live in your house," is an expression of the singer's desire to be with their loved one and to have a home with them. The opening lines, "Your love is a life for I / Realized that so much," speak to the importance of love in the singer's life and the impact it has had on them.
The verses describe a journey with their loved one, from the moment they first met to the present. The line "From then until this / Resist, no, no, no, close to you, see" suggests that despite challenges and obstacles, the singer remains committed to their partner and values their relationship above all else. The lyrics also touch on the idea of triumph over adversity, with the line "Was a revelation to hear / Triumphant calling / Triumphant trumpets."
Overall, "Your House" is a heartfelt tribute to the power of love and the desire for a home with someone special. The song's message is universal and relatable, capturing the essence of what it means to be deeply connected to another person.
Line by Line Meaning
Your love is a life for I
Your love is essential and vital to my existence
Realized that so much
I have fully recognized the power and importance of your love
When I first met you
Referring to the moment of our first encounter
That was some time ago
That moment was in the past but it stays fresh in my memory
From then until this
From that moment until now
Resist, no, no, no, close to you, see
I can't resist being close to you, it's as simple as that
Oh yes, right from the start
My feelings for you started from the very beginning
Oh, no, no, no, could never part
I could never bear to be separate from you
Oh, I hear from that thought, yes
That thought rings true to me
I wanna live in your house
I want to be close to you, and by saying 'your house' I am referring to being in a committed, intimate relationship with you
Wanna live in your house
Again, reiterating my desire to be with you and establish a home together
You say dry your, don't
'Dry your eyes, don't cry' - comforting words from you to me
Wipe that tear drops from your eyes
Further emphasizing the comforting words, telling me to stop crying because everything will be alright
Was in a little situation
Referring to a problem or challenge I faced
Came with a solution (solution)
You came with a solution that helped me overcome my problem
Was a revelation to hear
It was an amazing moment to hear and feel your love and support
Triumphant calling
Referring to how your help and solution came as a triumphant moment for me
Triumphant trumpets
A symbolic reference to the joy and fanfare I felt as a result of your help
Oh, I no hear
I don't listen to or care about what others say or think about us
Too much for what some say
I don't pay too much attention to the opinions of others, especially if they are negative
'Cause at the close of the day
Because at the end of the day
They'll be so far away
Those negative voices and opinions will be irrelevant and far removed from us
But then I know
But I am aware
One things for certain
One thing is definite
'Cause at the closing of the oh
Because at the end of our lives
Yes, I know one thing for certain
One thing that I am sure of
You'll be there, you'll be there
You'll be with me, by my side
It was you
You, and only you
That raise the flag above my head
You lifted my spirits, my confidence, and helped me succeed
Once when I was, once when I was
Repeating for emphasis how you helped me when I was in trouble
In a little situation
A difficult situation I found myself in
Came with a, came with a solution (solution)
Again, referring to how you provided the solution that rescued me from my challenging situation
To make a home
A declaration of wanting to establish a home and family with you
To make a home yeah
Restating my commitment to creating a home with you
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: David Robert Hinds
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind