Free Nelson Mandela

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“Free Nelson Mandela”
“Free Nelson Mandela” cover
Single by The Special A.K.A.
from the album In the Studio
B-side Break Down The Door!
Released 17 April 1984
Format 7", 12"
Genre Ska
Length 4:12
Label 2 Tone CHS TT26
Writer(s) Dammers
Producer Elvis Costello

"Free Nelson Mandela" is a song written by Jerry Dammers and performed by his Coventry-based band The Special A.K.A. 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 in and was immensely popular in Africa.

A Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute remake released in 1988 featured Elvis Costello, Dave Wakeling, Ranking Roger and Lynval Golding on backing vocals.[citation needed]

In 1984 the students' union at Wadham College, Oxford passed a motion to end every college "bop" (disco) with the song. The tradition continues despite his release.

Contents

[edit] Track listing

[edit] 1984 recording

  • CHS TT26 7"[1]
  1. "Free Nelson Mandela" – 4:12
  2. "Break Down The Door!" – 3:48
  • CHS TT1226 12"[2]
  1. "Free Nelson Mandela (Extended Version)" – 4:34
  2. "Break Down The Door! (Extended Version)" – 5:01

[edit] 1988 recording

  • Tone FNMX1 12" (70th Birthday Remake)[3]
  1. "Free Nelson Mandela (The Whole World is Watching Dance Mix)" – produced by Jerry Dammers and Tom Fredrickes
  2. "Free Nelson Mandela"

[edit] Chart Positions

Chart (1984) Peak
position
U.K. Singles Chart [4] 9
IRE Singles Chart [5] 6
Chart (1988) Peak
position
U.K. Singles Chart [6] 93

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://2-tone.info/2tone.pl?show121& 2Tone Discography Nelson Mandela release details
  2. ^ http://2-tone.info/2tone.pl?display292 2Tone Discography Nelson Mandela release details 12"
  3. ^ http://2-tone.info/2tone.pl?display226 2Tone Discography Nelson Mandela 1988 release details
  4. ^ http://www.chartstats.com/songinfo.php?id=11455 chartstats.com Nelson Mandela chart log
  5. ^ http://www.irishcharts.ie/ Irish singles chart placings
  6. ^ http://www.chartstats.com/songinfo.php?id=15529 Nelson Mandela chart log 1988
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