Ordinary Love (U2 song)

U2 had been friends with Nelson Mandela for several years, having played concerts in South Africa. When movie producer Harvey Weinstein invited the band to write a song for the soundtrack of the Mandela biography film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, they responded with a quick "yes" according to Weinstein. After seeing early cuts of the film, the group were inspired to write a song reflecting upon Mandela. ==Release and reception==

It was revealed on 17 October 2013, the band had written a song specifically for the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom entitled "Ordinary Love", after receiving an invitation from movie producer Harvey Weinstein. It was reported that the song was to get a full preview on U2.com on 30 October but instead a news bulletin was released stating the song was to be released on a 10-inch vinyl. On 21 November 2013, U2 made the previously announced lyric video available for paying subscribers via their official website. The video was directed by Mac Premo and Oliver Jeffers. On 30 November, the song was made available as a free download on the band's website to paid subscribers. "Ordinary Love" was released on 29 November 2013 as part of the Record Store Day's "Back to Black Friday". As a limited release, only 10,000 10" vinyl copies were made. During the recording of No Line on the Horizon, U2 worked on two sets of lyrics for "Breathe". The first version was about Nelson Mandela, and the second was "more surreal and personal". Whereas the second version was included on No Line on the Horizon, As of March 2014, the single has sold 115,000 copies in the United States. U2 posted a new mix of the song, "Ordinary Love (Paul Epworth mix)", on their official SoundCloud account on 14 December 2013. The song was performed by U2 with in-house band The Roots on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on 17 February 2014. ==Awards==

The cover art for the "Ordinary Love" single features a "striking painting of Nelson Mandela" by Oliver Jeffers. ==Personnel==

U2 • Bono – lead vocals • The Edge – guitar, backing vocals, piano • Adam Clayton – bass guitar • Larry Mullen Jr. – drums, percussion, backing vocals Additional performers • Danger Mouse – additional synthesisers and piano • Declan Gaffney – additional synthesisers and piano • Barry Gorey – Wurlitzer, synthesiser • Angel Deradoorian – additional backing vocals Technical • Danger Mouse – production, mixing • Declan Gaffney – additional production, recording • Tom Elhmhirst – mixing • Ben Baptie – mixing assistance, additional recording • "Classy" Joe Visciano – recording assistance • Grant Ransom – additional recording • Barry Gorey – additional recording • Scott Sedillo – mastering • Bernie Grundman – mastering ==Chart performance==

Weekly charts Year-end charts == Certifications ==