"Nelson Mandela" (known in some versions as "Free Nelson Mandela") is a song written by Jerry Dammers and performed by his Coventry-based band The Special A.K.A. - with lead vocal by Stan Campbell - released on the single Nelson Mandela / Break Down The Door in 1984 as a protest against the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela. Unlike most protest songs, the track is upbeat and celebratory, drawing on musical influences from South Africa. The song reached No.9 in the UK charts and was immensely popular in Africa.
Read more about Free Nelson Mandela: History, Chart Positions
Famous quotes containing the words nelson mandela, free, nelson and/or mandela:
“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.”
—Nelson Mandela (b. 1918)
“Everyone asks for freedom for himself,
The man free love, the businessman free trade,
The writer and talker free speech and free press.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
“From now on, if I ever get to burn another newspaper, I’ll remember what a few cents can buy.”
—Alvah Bessie, Ranald MacDougall, and Lester Cole. Raoul Walsh. Captain Nelson (Errol Flynn)
“Together, hand in hand, with that stick of matches, with our necklace, we shall liberate this country.”
—Winnie Mandela (b. 1934)