As recognized by the United Nations, today is Mandela Day, honoring the birthday of the beloved South African president, humanitarian, and all-around badass Nelson Mandela, who turns 93. Mandela is a living legend, leader, hero and inspiration on par with Gandhi, FDR, and Ted "Theodore" Logan. His quest for equality and peace has made him an icon for non-douchebaggery the world over, and we are unlikely to see his better any time soon.
It's only appropriate that a man like Mandela should receive accolades from a variety of musical sources, but frankly, Rocks Off think the man has by gypped harder than an Enron stockholder. Surely he deserves better than...
"If Everyone Cared" pays tribute in its official music video to many great people who have worked for the betterment of mankind, including Bob Geldof, Betty Williams and (of course) Mandela. We get treated to epic footage of these world-changing activists over the band looking very serious in the studio. Frankly, the whole thing sounds like that one stoned friend we all have who tries to come across so connected to the world but will step over a homeless man on the way to McDonalds.
At least Nickelback donated the songs digital sales to Amnesty International, proving that even if the band is shallow and talentless, at least they are not hypocritical. It's still a terrible song, though. If everyone in the world loved each other like you love your girl, the world would be a better place? Is this the same girl you previously sung about making give you road head?
Though the song is not in any way about Nelson Mandela (we think), Wonder dedicated his 1985 Best Original Song Oscar win for the song to the then-jailed leader. That's sweet, but seriously, this is one of the worst songs Wonder ever wrote. To prove it, we'd like to quote Jack Black in High Fidelity.
Top 5 musical crimes perpetuated by Stevie Wonder in the '80s and '90s. Go. Sub-question: Is it in fact unfair to criticize a formerly great artist for his latter-day sins, is it better to burn out or fade away?
It is in fact tacky, sentimental crap. Mandela might as well have had Taylor Swift's "Mine" dedicated to him.