New U2 track features on Mandela trailer

U2’s next album won’t be with us until spring 2014 – boo! – but you can hear snippets of a new song on Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, the new biopic starring Idris Elba and Naomie Harris.

There’s not a whole lot to go on, but ‘Ordinary Love’ – written after the band saw early cuts of the film – sounds the business.

“We are delighted to have U2 write an original song for Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom,” enthuses producer Anant Singh. “This is really fitting as U2 has always been a staunch supporter of Madiba. As a board member of Madiba's 46664 anti AIDS initiative together with U2, I was fortunate to be with them when we visited Robben Island together, accompanied by Madiba.

“Over the years,” he continues, “U2 and I have had a superb relationship including partnering on the Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe winning song 'The Hands That Built America' for Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York. When I asked them to consider writing a song for Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, it was the fastest 'yes' I have ever received. The band saw various cuts of the film over the summer and worked diligently to write a song that truly reflects Nelson Mandela. I think they did a brilliant job honouring the man and the leader they have known for over 20 years.”

The film hits Stateside screens on November 29, with audiences here getting to see it on January 3.