Top 10 Most Popular Nelson Mandela songs

Nelson Mandela remembered in music

Yesterday, December 5, 2013, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela died at the age of 95.  Mandela, born on July 18, 1918, was a philanthropist, politician, South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and President of South Africa from 1994 through 1999.  Mandela was a public figure who inspired many artists.  What better way to remember him then in song?  Here then, are ten of the most popular Nelson Mandela songs.

1. “Ordinary Love”â€"U2:  This was released this was released as a limited edition 10” vinyl single on November 29, 2013 as part of a Record Store Day promotion.  It is also included in the bio pic Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.  It was their first new record since 2010.

2. “Mandela (Bring Him Back Home)”â€"Hugh Masekla: This is from Masekla’s 1994 disc titled Hope.

3. “Nelson Mandela” or “Free Nelson Mandela”â€"The Specials/Special AKA:  This was written by band founder Jerry Dammers and produced by Elvis Costello.   It was released as a single in 1984.

4.  “Asimbonanga”â€"Johnny Clegg and Savuka: This song, written in both Zulu and English, is off the 1987 platter Third World Child. Both the song and his multi-racial band caused controversy and Mandela himself appeared onstage with the group in 1999.

5.  “Prophets of Rage”â€"Public Enemy: This one is off their album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.  It was written by Chuck D and harkens back to 1988.

6.  “Mandela”â€"Santana: This is an instrumental track off Santana’s 1987 CD Freedom.  Santana played the piece at Mandela’s 70^th Birthday Celebration at Wembley Stadium.  (That is, no doubt, part of why the song made the list.)

7.  “Mandela Day”â€"Simple Minds:  This was first found on their album Street Fighting Years.  They also would play their song at Mandela’s 70th Birthday Celebration at Wembley Stadium.

8.  “Freedom Now”â€"Tracy Chapman:  This is off of her 1986 release Crossroads   Chapman was yet another performer to play her Mandela music at his 70th Birthday Celebration.

9. “Nelson Mandela”â€" Youssou N’Dour: This is the title track from his 1986 disc.  The entire work is actually a tribute to Mandela.

10. “House of Exile”â€"Lucky Dube: This is the lead-in and title track to Lucky Dube’s album of the same name.  It focuses on Mandela’s imprisonment.

This, of course, is but a partial list of Nelson Mandela songs remembering the man whose legacy influenced the world and whose death was felt across the world. R.I.P. Nelson Mandela

(Image courtesy of Worldnews.nbcnews.com)