U2, the Irish rock band formed in 1976, has been creating meaningful music for decades. Among their many hits, “Ordinary Love” released on November, 2013, stands out for its profound message and the events that inspired it. The song was written for a biographical film called Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, based on the extraordinary life of the iconic South African leader Nelson Mandela. The movie chronicles Mandela’s early life, activism, imprisonment, and eventual freedom, culminating in him becoming the first black president of South Africa in 1994. The song was an instant success, receiving critical acclaim, and even winning a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.

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At first glance, the lyrics of “Ordinary Love” might seem ambiguous, but a closer look reveals a deep and powerful message. The song talks about the struggles and triumphs of a long-lasting relationship. It highlights the importance of staying committed to the person you love, even when things get tough.

The opening lines of the song set the tone for its message: “The sea wants to kiss the golden shore. The sunlight warms your skin. All the beauty that’s been lost before wants to find us again.” These lines evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminding the listener of lost love and a desire to rekindle it.

Throughout the song, Bono, the lead vocalist, sings about the struggles one goes through in love, but that ultimately, it’s worth sticking it out until the end. He sings, “We can’t fall any further if we can’t feel ordinary love, and we cannot reach any higher if we can’t deal with ordinary love.” The chorus repeats the phrase “Ordinary Love” as a reminder that love is not always easy, it takes hard work, commitment and dedication to make it work, and that is okay.

As previously mentioned, “Ordinary Love” is a tribute to Nelson Mandela. Mandela was a heroic figure who dedicated his life to the fight against apartheid, a system of racial segregation enforced by the South African government. Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his activism, but he never gave up his fight for justice.

In the film, “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” viewers get a glimpse of Mandela’s personal life, including his relationship with his wife, Winnie. Mandela met Winnie in the 1950s, and they were married in 1958. In the movie, their relationship is portrayed as one of hardship and struggle, but also one of unwavering love. Bono, the lead singer of U2, was moved by this story and wrote “Ordinary Love” as a tribute to their enduring love.

The music video for “Ordinary Love” was directed by Oliver Jeffers and Rory Jeffers and released on December, 2013. The video features the band U2, but also includes footage from the film, “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.”

The video shows snippets of Nelson Mandela’s life, including his early years, activism, and imprisonment. It also highlights his relationship with his wife, Winnie. The footage is interspersed with shots of the band performing the song. The simplicity of the video underscores the power of the song’s message. The use of black and white to depict the past and color for the present, gives the viewer a visual representation of the power of time and change.

Midway through the video, Bono and Mandela’s faces are shown merging into one, symbolizing the idea that the love between Mandela and his wife, and between all people, is a force that can bring us together as one.

“Ordinary Love” was well received by fans and critics alike, garnering praise for its deep message and the connection to Nelson Mandela’s life. The song debuted at number 31 on the U.S. Billboard Alternative chart and peaked at number 9. It also topped the charts in Italy and Ireland.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Bono said, “This man turned our life upside down, right-side up. A man who refused to hate, not because he didn’t have rage or anger or these things, but that he thought love would do a better job.” This quote shows the inspiration behind the song and the immense admiration Bono had for Nelson Mandela.

The title represents the idea that love is not always grand gestures and romantic gestures. It is often the simple things, the mundane, the routine, that make a relationship endure. It is also a tribute to Nelson Mandela and his love for his wife, Winnie.

The song was written for the biographical film ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,’ based on the life of Nelson Mandela. The film chronicled Mandela’s journey as an anti-apartheid activist and the struggles and triumphs of his personal life, particularly his relationship with his wife, Winnie.

The song’s lyrics combined with Bono’s strong vocal abilities and its connection to Nelson Mandela’s life, made it a hit. It topped charts in several countries and won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.

The song talks about the struggles and triumphs of love. It highlights the importance of staying committed to the person you love, even when things get tough. It reminds us that love is not always grand gestures and romantic events, but often the simple things that make a relationship endure.

Nelson Mandela was a visionary leader, and his activism deeply impacted Bono and the rest of U2. The band wrote the song “Siyahamba” in tribute to him and also performed at his 46664 concerts, a series of charity concerts promoting awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa.

The film chronicles Nelson Mandela’s life, including his activism, imprisonment, and eventual freedom. It also highlights his relationship with his wife, Winnie. “Ordinary Love” was written as a tribute to their unwavering love and the idea that love can overcome all obstacles.

Bono has not publicly discussed any direct inspiration for the lyrics other than what he saw in the movie. However, the song’s message is a universal one applicable to all couples, not just the Mandelas.

The use of black and white represents the past and the color scenes represent the present. It personifies the idea that time changes us and gives a visual representation of the power of change.

The merging of Bono’s and Mandela’s faces symbolizes the unity that can arise from love. It represents the idea that love is a force that can bring us together as one.

There is no evidence to suggest that U2 had any direct communication with Mandela before the song’s release. However, their work with his charity, the 46664 concert series, shows their dedication and admiration towards him and his work.

The line means that to reach the next level in a relationship, you first have to understand the simplicity of love. The phrase ‘ordinary love’ highlights the idea that love is not always grand gestures and romantic events, but everyday actions and commitment to each other.

The song was well-received by both fans and critics, as it had a universal and deep message that resonated with listeners. It also had a connection to an iconic leader, Nelson Mandela, which only added to its popularity.

Yes, U2 fans were able to experience the song live on their 2013-2014 “Innocence + Experience” tour, where it was performed multiple times. It was also a staple of their “Experience + Innocence” tour from 2018 to 2019.