I lived in the US when this song came out. It was the catalyst for me to learn about Nelson Mandela and what they weren't teaching us in school. British music of that time educated me about world politics and social justice. Thank you, The Specials. Thank you for participating in my education.
I had the same with rap music. Rap artist Paris made me start reading about Malcolm X and eventually I read everything I could find concerning that subject.....and eventually kept on reading books. LONG LIVE MUSICIANS hehe
I played this song on my very first college radio show in early 1985. Who knew the impact it would have and that Mandela would be president in ten years... he truly embodied greatness. In every sense of the word.
When I met Nelson Mandela on his visit to Canada when I was in 5th grade, this was the song they played at the Skydome and meeting him face to face and shaking his hand as a little 12yr old boy was the most historical moment in my life. R.I.P to a legendary man this world has been blessed to have. I will forever honor my short moment with him and I will forever remember this song over 2 decades later.
Yes messed up or missed the best or greatest part South Africa did in the 70s and 80s entertainment wise who knows.Just lots to refer from this song and others making it up over the years Worldwise
I'm old enough to have the 12", wake up on a Sunday afternoon, grab a beer and see the Headlines of the day in the paper. Tyson knocked out! Mandela Freed! I went home after guzzling my beer. Would not talk to my girl until the record was on full blast, then I told her as it played. It was a good day.
"No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background or his religion. People Learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite" Nelson Mandela. 1918-2013
Abigail P I agree with that until the religion comes into it. Colour of your skin or background doesn’t say anything about your character, but religion informs the way people behave, therefore it is fair game for criticism and even hatred in some instances.
Terry RIP DEAR CHAP , I HAVE ADORED YOU AND YOUR SPECIALS for a life time ,,You have given us great music ,, my heartis so sad you have passed xx lol Jane xx
The Brits ruled the '80s...still loving it all 40-yrs later 4/10/21 ... I was one blessed teenager to have been born in '63 - I wouldn't change a thing!
Rest in eternal peace, Nelson Mandela! Few people can make an impression upon humanity and history, in quite the way you did in your 95 years! You are free, and we love you!
When I was a freshman in college at the University of Iowa this song was in heavy rotation on the college radio station KRUI. That was 1984 mind you, and he was still in prison. A true example of the best of humanity
Your finally FREE Mr Mandela - RIP your where an inspiration to so many. We played this song at my wedding & my wife & I danced bare footed in celebration.... great memories from then & when it was released in the 80's
There is nobody in this world I respect more than Nelson Mandela. A great loss not only for South Africa but for the world. Today I say goodbye to one of the greatest men who ever walked this Earth. Rest well, Nelson. You shall not be forgotten.
The day this song came out, I was working at a TV station in San Francisco, and five of us jammed into an editing room and danced like crazy. It was such a liberating expression of the apartheid resistance movement.
one of the happiest civil rights song i have ever heard, every body was dancing, when you hear it you cant be mad about the injustice, you just grab a drink dance smile, laugh as it end you would fall asleep, wake up hoping things would get better, why do we have to be so evil towards each other just because of color, but those who hate and mad are not mad at God those are the same people who goes to church every Sunday, at least now he is at peace, as a black man he lives in me always in my heart i cant thank him enough for the sacrifices he made, Thank you Mr Mandela and thank you to the specials for making that song
This song is playing in my head all day, At the time of this songs release I never expected it to happen, I just thought he will be another activist who dies in prison.. Well I was wrong Nelson Mandela - 'It always seems impossible until it's done.' RIP
I wept when he was released, when apartheid ended, and when he was elected president- tears of joy! Right beat might, for once. Gives me hope that anything is possible.
No more jails, no more, bars, no more wars, no more pain,no more suffering. Thank you for your life, your gift of courage forgiveness and strength and love. Rest now for you are truly FREE.x
mandela removed the kommandos, who were a security force specifically to protect white farmers. now, it's "racist" to even protest the murder of white farmers here. horrific murders. babies boiled alive, eyes taken out with pliers, etc. but we're told it's "normal crime"
not shadowbanned yet So a militia designed to protect only a select faction in a society is your idea of freedom is it? And what are the rest of society supposed to do, survive on their own? That's before we get into the fact that most of these so called "police" were little more than state sponsored terrorists during the Apartheid era.
Tears have welled up. “Somehow, somewhere along, someone must have thought it cool to bring back Jim Crow.” - HRH Prince Harry. I thank God that this was my generation when racism wasn’t cool. #BLM 🇬🇧
I remember this song by The Specials, produced by Elvis Costello. It was released in 1984. A joy to listen to then, and still a joy to listen to now 34 years later! Nelson Mandela was freed and forever rests in eternal peace.
I wonder how much actually of the money went towards his benefit? I bet most was siphoned off by snides in the UK and in South Africa. PS I'm not criticising your own actions, just those of the people who pulled the strings.
Dear Field Marshal - it's the same with our dear departed Mr. Reagan - give it a few years, and all the people remember is a fuzzy, romantic glow of nostalgia.
I'm still here old school skinhead no colour no racist we grow up together music was everything who was here years ago would understand that music always blues, r and b, ska ,blue beats, one love rasta for I. Be blessed 🙌
One of the greatest people in the history of our world has passed on. Farewell Nelson Mandela. The strength of your character, the power of your soul and the light of your love will be forever felt on this material plane of existence. You Mr. Mandela were truly one of the best of us.
@@Jc-ul9ff hint, it can't and didn't. The idea that the Aparthied was better than current day South Africa is a disgusting and perverse one propagated by racists and charlatans.
R.I.P. to the iconic Claudia Fontaine, ubiquitous British 80's singer, who sang in the chorus on the protest classic, "Free Nelson Mandela". She was part of the duo Afrodiziak with Caron Wheeler (Soul II Soul), as well as backing Elvis Costello in "Everyday I Write the Book", Pink Floyd, Dusty Springfield, Marilyn, etc.
Those who do not believe that Mandela struggled for a just cause do not want to see justice for all and are up in arms blaming what the whole of humanity has appreciated and put in record of human history.
I was driving 3 preteens to the movies when it was announced on the radio that Mandela had been freed. I had to pull over to happy cry.Those 3 kids are now warriors for social change and I couldn't be more proud of them.
I have always loved this song and what it stood for but(and I know looks don't matter blah blah blah), but the singer is absolutely gorgeous !. He is super model material !
I heard this song a long time ago. It still moves me. Nelson Mandela was a true hero, and our troubled world continues to need more good people like him. May he rest in eternal peace and love!
This was a relevant song at the time. But I still love listening to this tune. It had massive meaning to those people who suffered back in the day. Much respect always ✊✊✊
Not many youngsters I've come across in South Africa knew this song (I used to own an apartment in Durban) but they enjoyed when I've showed them this video.
I was in a night club when the dj showed on the screen the release of Nelson Mandela as it was late on at night and the specials were playing by the dj afterwards
RIP Nelson Mandela. I heard this song when I was in high school and became very active in the Anti-Apartheid movement as a student at Rutgers University.
![The Specials - Nelson Mandela (Official Music Video) [HD Remaster]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tJ6kqBOZWBw/mqdefault.jpg)
More music from The Specials: TheSpecials.lnk.to/Listen
Fantastic
Who are the specials to interfere?
Your countries effed up
This was the night of Nelson Mandela released from prison
its not your guys song the band is called special a.k.a
I lived in the US when this song came out. It was the catalyst for me to learn about Nelson Mandela and what they weren't teaching us in school. British music of that time educated me about world politics and social justice. Thank you, The Specials. Thank you for participating in my education.
"Biko" by Peter Gabriel fits in along the same lines
I had the same with rap music. Rap artist Paris made me start reading about Malcolm X and eventually I read everything I could find concerning that subject.....and eventually kept on reading books. LONG LIVE MUSICIANS hehe
Great. You are an idiot
This stuff wasn't being taught in British schools either. The Specials - and other bands - were clued up and well read about the wider world.
Same!
I played this song on my very first college radio show in early 1985. Who knew the impact it would have and that Mandela would be president in ten years... he truly embodied greatness. In every sense of the word.
In Denver as I was growing up, there was a radio station punk rock show that played this song at the opening every time! Love it!
This song was big during my younger days..... Cali
This song used to make me Cry, 45 year's later, it still Does 😢😢
When I met Nelson Mandela on his visit to Canada when I was in 5th grade, this was the song they played at the Skydome and meeting him face to face and shaking his hand as a little 12yr old boy was the most historical moment in my life. R.I.P to a legendary man this world has been blessed to have. I will forever honor my short moment with him and I will forever remember this song over 2 decades later.
@@xanderlane4620 Yes, he truly was indeed
@@xanderlane4620 I feel completely blessed and honored to have been in his presence for the rest of my life
I've always loved the Specials. Lucky enough to see them several times back in the day.
Celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela. This is one of my favorite songs in the 80's and Nelson Mandela is the hero of my teens. Live on Mandela!
I am old enough to remember when this first came out. Back then it seemed impossible that South Africa would be free of apartheid.
Yes messed up or missed the best or greatest part South Africa did in the 70s and 80s entertainment wise who knows.Just lots to refer from this song and others making it up over the years Worldwise
I'm old enough to have the 12", wake up on a Sunday afternoon, grab a beer and see the Headlines of the day in the paper. Tyson knocked out! Mandela Freed!
I went home after guzzling my beer. Would not talk to my girl until the record was on full blast, then I told her as it played. It was a good day.
same thing today !
"No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background or his religion. People Learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite" Nelson Mandela. 1918-2013
Abigail P g
Abigail P
I agree with that until the religion comes into it.
Colour of your skin or background doesn’t say anything about your character, but religion informs the way people behave, therefore it is fair game for criticism and even hatred in some instances.
What a quote. If only this was the first lesson in school
A brilliant man. So proud of Glasgow honouring him. Amazing. This song is high up there on my list.
While people have the inate sensation of fear; racism and prejudice will never die.
Terry RIP DEAR CHAP , I HAVE ADORED YOU AND YOUR SPECIALS for a life time ,,You have given us great music ,, my heartis so sad you have passed xx lol Jane xx
All these years later I still love this song and this video.
I've always admired this man. Struggle with grace and poise. RIP sir.
The Brits ruled the '80s...still loving it all 40-yrs later 4/10/21 ... I was one blessed teenager to have been born in '63 - I wouldn't change a thing!
Me too Debra.
When your feeling a bit down or crap, I hope this uplifts you. It's just a lovely thing
frances devine
*you’re
As in: “that’s ok, you don’t have to thank me for correcting you - you’re welcome”.
@@nick260682 You don't have to correct him.
Because when he commented it was 2 years ago.
_Erik_ 1_2_3_
Public service mate. No need to thank me.
@@nick260682 u what m8?!😂
_Erik_ 1_2_3_
Just helping people out wherever possible.
Beautiful song of tribute. Beautiful memories come along with this song as well...
I learned about this song in my history class and wow, I knew Nelson Mandela was important but i didn’t know what made him so important
Rest peacefully, Nelson Mandela! The world needs more like you.
Rest in peace Nelson, true legend, gentleman and all round hero! We will never forget you!
Rest in eternal peace, Nelson Mandela! Few people can make an impression upon humanity and history, in quite the way you did in your 95 years! You are free, and we love you!
@Adam Lee and may he remember the scores of innocent people who were the dead and injured of the bombings that he planned.
Adam Lee Also Rest In Peace Claudia Fontaine, who is singing backing vocals with the Afrodisiacs on this song.
he was an absolute cunt.
We sure do Nelson
@@paytonr8153 were is the evidence
This song still gives me chills
me too, in a good way
Never far from my heart Mr Mandela... you guide my spirit Mr Steve Biko 🙏
When I was a freshman in college at the University of Iowa this song was in heavy rotation on the college radio station KRUI. That was 1984 mind you, and he was still in prison. A true example of the best of humanity
I was a high school senior in 1984 and it was in heavy rotation on WNYU-FM (New York University).
Your finally FREE Mr Mandela - RIP your where an inspiration to so many. We played this song at my wedding & my wife & I danced bare footed in celebration.... great memories from then & when it was released in the 80's
Wow...that sounds like my kinda wedding !!! Awesome !!!!!!!! Many many more years of happiness and health to you and your wife xxx
There is nobody in this world I respect more than Nelson Mandela. A great loss not only for South Africa but for the world. Today I say goodbye to one of the greatest men who ever walked this Earth. Rest well, Nelson. You shall not be forgotten.
Always will love The Specials... So proud of them as a fellow midlander... 😁
I had no clue, then I found this in the record bin in 84' or 5'. I learned the truth, and stood for the man. R.I.P. Nelson Mandela.
The day this song came out, I was working at a TV station in San Francisco, and five of us jammed into an editing room and danced like crazy. It was such a liberating expression of the apartheid resistance movement.
I'm crying, because at last he is really free now. RIP.
This song changed my life while growing up in the 80's. RIP- Mr Mandela.
Superb song..loved it back then and still do now..and love what its all about and for !
one of the happiest civil rights song i have ever heard, every body was dancing, when you hear it you cant be mad about the injustice, you just grab a drink dance smile, laugh as it end you would fall asleep, wake up hoping things would get better, why do we have to be so evil towards each other just because of color, but those who hate and mad are not mad at God those are the same people who goes to church every Sunday, at least now he is at peace, as a black man he lives in me always in my heart i cant thank him enough for the sacrifices he made, Thank you Mr Mandela and thank you to the specials for making that song
This song is playing in my head all day,
At the time of this songs release I never expected it to happen, I just thought he will be another activist who dies in prison..
Well I was wrong
Nelson Mandela - 'It always seems impossible until it's done.' RIP
I wept when he was released, when apartheid ended, and when he was elected president- tears of joy! Right beat might, for once. Gives me hope that anything is possible.
A light has gone out in the world tonight. RIP Nelson Mandela. Free, at last.
One Of The Greatest Songs of ALL TIME
And now 40 years after this song the ANC is robbing the country blind. 5 million in cash just found at the SA PM's ranch. What a world.
Nelson Mandela is the biggest G
A great live session. And yes that is me in the red jeans and floppy handkerchief hanging out of my back pocket.
You, my brother Anthony?
No more jails, no more, bars, no more wars, no more pain,no more suffering. Thank you for your life, your gift of courage forgiveness and strength and love. Rest now for you are truly FREE.x
RIP nelson, people will be listening to this for ages to come.
The song that brought so many to the Anti Apartheid Movement. Still gets my hair standing up, a true freedom fighter
"freedom" from what exactly? not being able to forcefully destroy white people and society? free to brutally murder white farmer families?
not shadowbanned yet He's not Robert Mugabe. Nobody purged any white farmers in South Africa.
mandela removed the kommandos, who were a security force specifically to protect white farmers. now, it's "racist" to even protest the murder of white farmers here.
horrific murders. babies boiled alive, eyes taken out with pliers, etc. but we're told it's "normal crime"
not shadowbanned yet So a militia designed to protect only a select faction in a society is your idea of freedom is it? And what are the rest of society supposed to do, survive on their own? That's before we get into the fact that most of these so called "police" were little more than state sponsored terrorists during the Apartheid era.
not shadowbanned yet so freedom to you is 80%of the population immediately being less than second class citizens because of the colour of their skin.
id like say something but no words can do justice this gr8 man live forever in my heart
RIP Mandela! A true hero has passed today.
PLEASE re-release this for Christmas no.1, such a good tune x RIP Mandela x
RIP nelson mandela..thank you for what you did fighting against apartheid...
Glad to have rediscovered this. Crying is allowed.
I cried. My daughter thinks I'm odd. Lol.
Tears have welled up. “Somehow, somewhere along, someone must have thought it cool to bring back Jim Crow.” - HRH Prince Harry.
I thank God that this was my generation when racism wasn’t cool.
#BLM 🇬🇧
Am crying.
RIP nelson Mandela. You will forever be missed.
@JoshHop If so, it's because the white supremacists / separatists made him do it.
RIP
What an absolute LEGEND, R.I.P to one of the worlds greatest, Nelson Mandela.....
You mean the genocidal, communist war criminal? Fuck that guy.
he turned out to be a tyrant along with winnie
but its a catchy tune
A truly insperational iconic human being. R.I.P. Nelson Mandela
Great lyrics and tune. Love the specials
I remember this song by The Specials, produced by Elvis Costello. It was released in 1984. A joy to listen to then, and still a joy to listen to now 34 years later! Nelson Mandela was freed and forever rests in eternal peace.
If he could have been freed by someone writing a great enough song about it, this would have done it.
RIP John, you will be missed.
This song convinced me that humans can be united in peace again without hatred towards each other.
Except Russia
@@Billy_-sl8lu The Russian people are not at fault, like Apartheid, Russia lacks the right leadership to truly prosper along with the rest of humanity
Unless you are aware of Mandela's necklacing...
I was 15 and in city center of Liverpool skipped school to raise money for Nelson Mandela. Good times.
+Crude Birth Rate really... wow
He was actually advocating terrorism before he was jailed.
+smilertoo "terrorism" against the evil apartheid regime was justified, frankly
I wonder how much actually of the money went towards his benefit? I bet most was siphoned off by snides in the UK and in South Africa. PS I'm not criticising your own actions, just those of the people who pulled the strings.
Fuck Mandela, horrible example of a person, not to mention a lifelong criminal.
My favourite song back in the day ❤️
Dear Field Marshal - it's the same with our dear departed Mr. Reagan - give it a few years, and all the people remember is a fuzzy, romantic glow of nostalgia.
I'm still here old school skinhead no colour no racist we grow up together music was everything who was here years ago would understand that music always blues, r and b, ska ,blue beats, one love rasta for I. Be blessed 🙌
R.I.P. and what a great song
Loved this song and its meaning,pity the ANC never understood this and became as corrupt as those before them.
he was one of those men who truly changed the world and made history
no he didn't change anything actually
My 11 year old son has just been taught about this today. He corrected me on time served. '27 not 21 Daddy' . Well now.
God we need you now Tata Madida South Africa need you now. Your guidance your knowledge your LEADERSHIP
Would love for this to get to Christmas number 1.........inspirational song for a inspirational man!
R.I.P Nelson Mandela you were and will always be a true inspiration to many around the world you will be missed deeply
One of the greatest people in the history of our world has passed on. Farewell Nelson Mandela. The strength of your character, the power of your soul and the light of your love will be forever felt on this material plane of existence. You Mr. Mandela were truly one of the best of us.
It's Nelson Mandela International Day so I hope some folks find this song from looking him up.
Sheer bliss.
Classic tune,love the specials.
r.i.p Nelson Mandela u will live in our hearts forever strong black warrior u did so much for our people.
+Nicky Baker You mean he replaced a shit government with an even worse one? Congrats Mandela.
***** Pardon?
Romulus Augustus how could it get worse than apartheid?
@@Jc-ul9ff hint, it can't and didn't. The idea that the Aparthied was better than current day South Africa is a disgusting and perverse one propagated by racists and charlatans.
R.I.P. to the iconic Claudia Fontaine, ubiquitous British 80's singer, who sang in the chorus on the protest classic, "Free Nelson Mandela". She was part of the duo Afrodiziak with Caron Wheeler (Soul II Soul), as well as backing Elvis Costello in "Everyday I Write the Book", Pink Floyd, Dusty Springfield, Marilyn, etc.
Catchy song and the lead singer is gorgeous.
that rarest of political records - one that is as joyous as it is earnest.
This is the first video I liked on TH-cam. This is the one which got me to make a TH-cam account ten years ago, and I'm proud of that fact.
Those who do not believe that Mandela struggled for a just cause do not want to see justice for all and are up in arms blaming what the whole of humanity has appreciated and put in record of human history.
The backing vocals are brilliant on this.
Caron Wheeler (later in Soul II Soul) is one of the singers
Such a great song and really thought 80s kids about a wonderful man. Rip Nelson Mandela
Rest in peace. Brave soul.
Rest in peace, Nelson Mandela.
He lived in peace too.
dave474c
Amen. :)
good riddance to bad rubbish.
Oh just another ugly bald fat man
+Dahlia S Wasfi R.I.P
Great Song. Always loved it
I was driving 3 preteens to the movies when it was announced on the radio that Mandela had been freed. I had to pull over to happy cry.Those 3 kids are now warriors for social change and I couldn't be more proud of them.
We have a sca night at our Dorset village RBL hall friday night and we can't wait. We're in our seventies, still fans.
R.I. P. to one of the great humanitarians and freedom fighters of our time.
For 'freedom fighter' read 'terr@rist'
Just because you agree with the cause doesn't make it right.
Nelson Mandela....You are now free!
Free the man
Make this christmas no.1, the best tribute to a great man
ye they actually should
I have always loved this song and what it stood for but(and I know looks don't matter blah blah blah), but the singer is absolutely gorgeous !. He is super model material !
I heard this song a long time ago. It still moves me. Nelson Mandela was a true hero, and our troubled world continues to need more good people like him. May he rest in eternal peace and love!
Such a great track, and Jerry really raised awareness of what was going on.
RIP Nelson Mandela, one of the most inspirational people to ever have lived
He and Winnie and necklacing isn't a good memory
I hope RIP stands for Rot In Prison
This was a relevant song at the time. But I still love listening to this tune. It had massive meaning to those people who suffered back in the day. Much respect always ✊✊✊
Not many youngsters I've come across in South Africa knew this song (I used to own an apartment in Durban) but they enjoyed when I've showed them this video.
GREAT MUSIC AND SONG ❤❤
Great song for a great man. RIP Nelson Mandela
It's a disgrace that Cameron paid tribute to him, when he was a student he called him a terrorist.
Yes, it seems that he has changed his words not his mind though. Shame on him and Maggie T.
Best band I ever heard. Love it.
amazing song
I was in a night club when the dj showed on the screen the release of Nelson Mandela as it was late on at night and the specials were playing by the dj afterwards
Mighty Terry R.I.P.
May Nelson Mandela always be remembered.
he'll be !!
Always loved this song. One of the true classics. RIP Nelson Mandela
RIP Nelson Mandela. I heard this song when I was in high school and became very active in the Anti-Apartheid movement as a student at Rutgers University.
Salute you
@@ilyasova1012 Thanks!
If you visit Robben Island this song is played on the ferry on the way over.
Ma nam is Sibley Pupu. I cam fram Senegal. Free da Senegalese peepo