CELESTE HEADLEE, HOST:
Now, it's time for the occasional feature we call In Your Ear. That's when our guests tell us about the music that keeps them going. And today, as the world mourns former South African President Nelson Mandela, we'll hear from Naomie Harris. She stars in the new film "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom." We recently talked to her about the movie, and she shared with us some of the songs that inspire her.
NAOMIE HARRIS: Hi, I'm Naomie Harris, and what's playing in my ear is "Brown Girl in the Rain," by Boney M.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "BROWN GIRL IN THE RAIN")
HARRIS: I absolutely love this song because it reminds me of being a child, and parties that my parents would have and throw in their home. And this was one of the songs that would always get everyone dancing.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "BROWN GIRL IN THE RAIN")
HARRIS: Another song that I really love is "No Woman, No Cry," by Bob Marley. And I really love anything by Bob Marley.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "NO WOMAN, NO CRY")
HARRIS: Bob Marley is just one of the most extraordinary artists. When he sings, it's almost like it touches your soul; it touches you in such a deep way. And this song always seems like a soothing caress, to me.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "NO WOMAN, NO CRY")
HARRIS: Another song that I really love is "The Greatest Love of All," by Whitney Houston, because I just think this is the truest message.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL")
HARRIS: I have sung this so many times at the top of my lungs - like, shouting it around my house - that my neighbors probably hate me. But I think this is a gorgeous, gorgeous track.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL")
HEADLEE: I can't imagine anyone hating actress Naomie Harris. She plays Winnie Mandela in the film "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom." If you want to hear our original conversation with her, go to the programs tab on NPR.org, and then click on TELL ME MORE. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.