En los años 70, un grupo de jóvenes británicos de ascendencia caribeña se unieron en la ciudad de Birmingham, Inglaterra, para formar una banda que no solo produjera música, sino que también se convirtiera en un vehículo de lucha y consciencia social. Este grupo, inicialmente influenciado por estilos musicales como el punk rock y el roots reggae, tomó el nombre de Steel Pulse, simbolizando la fuerza y la intensidad de sus mensajes.
La banda fue fundada en 1975 por David Hinds (vocalista y guitarrista), Basil Gabbidon (guitarrista) y Ronnie McQueen (bajista). Con una alineación fluctuante en sus primeros años, el grupo comenzó tocando en pequeños locales y fiestas privadas, ganándose una creciente legión de seguidores gracias a sus electrizantes performances y líricas cargadas de crítica social.
En 1978, Steel Pulse lanzó su álbum debut "Handsworth Revolution", el cual es considerado un clásico instantáneo del reggae británico. Este álbum estaba lleno de temas potentes que abordaban la brutalidad policial, el racismo y la lucha de la comunidad negra en el Reino Unido. Temas como "Ku Klux Klan" y "Prodigal Son" se convirtieron en himnos de la resistencia y la protesta.
Durante los años 80, Steel Pulse continuó lanzando álbumes que resonaron a nivel internacional. “Tribute to the Martyrs” (1979) y “True Democracy” (1982) consolidaron su reputación como una de las bandas más importantes y políticamente comprometidas del reggae. En 1986, su álbum “Babylon The Bandit” ganó el Premio Grammy
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Out on the corner
With my roller skates
Having fun with the girls
Says I'm feeling great woo
In the dark of the night
Street lamps glowing
On full blast is my radio
Radio
Up comes this guy in his flashy car
In his mouth stuck a big cigar
Needed my help said he lost his way
I never heard a word he said
To find some street, said he wanted instructions
So I turned down the music
To point out directions, guess what?
Guy jumped on me messed up my clothes
Smashed and grabbed my radio
Calling all detectives
A criminal at large smoking
A big fat cigar in a flashy car
And think him some superstar
CHORUS
Life life without music
I can't go go no
Life without music I can't go
I'm gonna get him
The last thing I do
Must get a beating
Till him red and blue
Didn't take long to catch him
Parked up car and music blasting
On the sidewalk he was dancing
Stealing the show, the people watching
Roller skate gang
Was hot on his tracks
Stick him up mister
Give me back Give me back
Give me back Give me back
My radio
Guy jumped on me messed up my clothes
Saaahed and grabbed my radio
Calling all detectives
a criminal at large smoking
a big fat cigar in a flashy car
And think him some super star
CHORUS
Life life without music
I can't go
Life life without music
I can't go
Life without music
Bimma! murder style
Dem have fe get a beatin'
Say dem have fe get a beatin'
Nothing greater nothing best
Like the music from my wireless
And the only thing that I detest
Is the man who steal my wireless
him ha fe run like a fugitive
Him ha fe run from detective
Samuel Thomas is the thief name
lie must a lead life of shame
Some a dem call him Uncle Sam
Some a dem call him Uncle Tom
Uncle Sam and Uncle Tom
Yes they are the same man
S.A.M. means "stealaway music"
T.O.M. means "thiefer of music"
The druna and the bass
Have fe move me waist
The ridim and skank
Me have JAH fe thank.
The lyrics and song
Me have fe keep me strong
Samuel Thomas him have fe get vank
Him have fe get a beatin'
Him have fe get a beatin'