Special A.K.A. - Nelson Mandela

Today is Jerry Dammers' birthday, co-founder of The Specials and Special A.K.A., and his most famous, not to say influential, song is without a doubt the 1984 single "Nelson Mandela", also referred to as "Free Nelson Mandela". Mandela was of course later released from prison and Apartheid eventually abolished in South Africa, and this song was in a small way probably part of the process as awareness of Apartheid grew stronger and stronger. It's also, of course, a fantastic pop single.

Watch and listen