2013Released
3:41

Did You Know?

Interesting facts and trivia about Ordinary Love. By Songfacts®.

U2 penned this soaring anthem specifically for the biopic Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, which tells the story of the South African activist's early life and imprisonment. U2's relationship with the revered leader goes back to 1985 when Bono was part of Little Steven Van Zandt's 1985 Artists United Against Apartheid collaboration, which brought attention to his plight. Three years later the band recorded the song "Silver And Gold," which was inspired by the then still imprisoned Mandela. Bono went on to work on behalf of Mandela's 46664 AIDS charity, even co-writing the organisation's theme song with the Clash singer Joe Strummer. Harvey Weinstein, whose production company TWC is behind the movie, said: "When I asked U2 to consider writing a song for Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, it was the fastest 'yes' I have ever received. I think they did a brilliant job honouring the man and the leader they have known for over 20 years."

The song was the first new U2 tune to be heard since 2010's "Soon," off the 360° at the Rose Bowl DVD set.

This won Best Original Song at the 2014 Golden Globes. Bono talked about the band's long association with Nelson Mandela and how he changed their lives during the acceptance speech: "This really is personal, very very personal," he said. "This man turned our life upside down, right side up. A man who refused to hate but he thought love would do a better job. We wrote a love song because its kind of what's extraordinary about the film. It's a dysfunctional love story."

Song Analysis

Key, BPM (tempo) and time signature of Ordinary Love.
G♯Key
MinorMode
4/4Time Signature
121BPM

Album

The album Ordinary Love is released on.

Released By

The record label that has released Ordinary Love.
Decca (UMO)
© 2013 Distant Horizon Limited, under exclusive licence to Decca, a division of Universal Music Operations Ltd
This Compilation ℗ 2013 Distant Horizon Limited, under exclusive licence to Decca, a division of Universal Music Operations Ltd

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