"Mandela Day" is a song by the rock band
Simple Minds
Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977. They have released a string of hit singles, becoming best known internationally for "Don't You (Forget About Me)" (1985), which topped the '' Billboard'' Hot 100 in the United St ...
. It was included in the single "Ballad of the Streets"
EP which reached No.1 on the
British charts in February 1989 and in their album ''
Street Fighting Years
''Street Fighting Years'' is the eighth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in May 1989 by record label Virgin Records worldwide apart from the US, where it was released by A&M. Produced by Trevor Horn and Stephen Lipson, ...
''. The single highlights the songs "Mandela Day", "
Belfast Child", originally its A-side in the full length version, and "
Biko".
"Mandela Day" was written for the
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute (also known as Mandela Day),
Mandela Day
– Allmusic a concert held at Wembley Stadium, London, on 11 June 1988, as an expression of solidarity with the then-imprisoned Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (; ; 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African Internal resistance to apartheid, anti-apartheid activist who served as the President of South Africa, first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1 ...
, and was played live on that day (alongside cover versions of "Sun City" with Little Steven and a cover version of Peter Gabriel's ''"Biko"'' on which Gabriel himself took on lead vocals).
Music video
The official music video for the song was directed by Andy Morahan.
Track listings
7" vinyl
* UK, Germany: Virgin / SMX 3
* France: Virgin / 90496
12" vinyl
* UK: Virgin / SMXT 3
* UK: Virgin / SMX BS (limited edition box set, including 4 black-and-white photographs from the music video)
* France: Virgin / 80432
* Germany: Virgin / 611 998
* Yugoslavia: Jugoton /MXSVIRG 18016
CD
* UK: Virgin / SMXCD3 (3")
* UK: Virgin / SMXCDT3 (5")
References
See also
* Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (; ; 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African Internal resistance to apartheid, anti-apartheid activist who served as the President of South Africa, first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1 ...
* Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute (also known Mandela Day)
1989 songs
Songs about Nelson Mandela
Songs written by Jim Kerr
Songs written by Charlie Burchill
Songs written by Mick MacNeil
1989 singles
A&M Records singles
Music videos directed by Andy Morahan
Simple Minds songs
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