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Lately (Divine song)

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"Lately"
Single by Divine
from the album Fairy Tales
B-side"My Love"
ReleasedAugust 25, 1998 (1998-08-25)
GenreR&B
Length4:18
LabelPendulum, Red Ant Entertainment
Songwriter(s)Christopher Kelly, Will Baker
Producer(s)John Howcott, Donald Parks
Divine singles chronology
"Lately"
(1998) 		"One More Try"
(1999)

"Lately" is a song by American R&B girl group Divine, released as the group's debut single on August 25, 1998, from their only studio album, Fairy Tales. Written by Christopher Kelly and Will Baker, the Hammond organ-driven R&B song is a pensive reflection on lost love produced by John Howcott and Donald Parks.

"Lately" peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 for one week in November 1998. Music critics responded favorably to the track, praising the group's vocal performance. "Lately" was eventually released to international markets, but it failed to make as big of an impact as it did in the US. In 2001, a cover version by Irish singer Samantha Mumba found chart success in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Background and composition

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Before "Lately" was written, producers John Howcott and Donald Parks, who had previously worked with American singer-songwriter Keith Sweat, formed a company called Urban Vibe. Afterwards, they recruited Indianapolis natives Pete Woodruff and Will Baker, who had a connection with Babyface, and began working on "Lately". Alongside his longtime friend, Christopher Kelly, Baker wrote the track about his days in high school, when he and his girlfriend, whom he eventually married, explored the dynamic extremes of their relationship. When Red Ant Entertainment founder Ruben Rodriguez heard the song's demo tape, he expressed interest in the composition and took it to Divine, a female music trio he had recently signed to the label. The group, consisting of Nikki Bratcher, Tonia Tash, and Kia Thornton, recorded the song across three locations, including Indianapolis.[1]

"Lately" is an R&B love song with blues influences, driven by a guitar and Hammond B3 organ played by Woodruff.[1][2] Chuck Taylor of Billboard noted that the song stands out from most hip hop tracks and female-sung ballads of the time, and Red Ant's president, Randy Phillips, compared it to a 1999 incarnation of Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay". The track's lyrics discuss an ended relation that the narrator reflects upon wistfully.[1][2] Woodruff, Baker, and Howcott provide addition keyboards while Marcus Williams and Baker collaborated on the drums and drum programming, respectively. Alongside Mark South, Baker also arranged the vocals and co-produced the track with Woodruff.[3] Divine sing all lead and background vocals on the track, and additional vocals are provided by Talonda Fields.[4] Other personnel who worked on the song include four audio engineers, mixer Jonnie Most, and Lynn Goldsmith, who photographed the song's American cover artwork.[3][4]

Release and promotion

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A month before "Lately" was added to radio, its music video was added to the playlists of BET and The Box.[5][6] Pendulum Records and Red Ant Entertainment first released "Lately" to US rhythmic contemporary radio on August 25, 1998.[7] A two-format physical release soon followed. On both releases, a CD single and a cassette single, the album version of "Lately" is accompanied by an instrumental version, an alternative mix of album track "My Love", and various snippets from Fairy Tales.[4][8] On October 6, 1998, the song was added to contemporary hit radio.[9] Almost a year later, on October 4, 1999, the single was issued in the United Kingdom across two CDs and a cassette.[10][11] These releases contain assorted remixes of "Lately",[12][13] as does the Australian CD, which was distributed through Mushroom Records in Pendulum's stead.[14] To promote the song and album, Divine embarked on a US tour in late 1998 and appeared on several television programs.[2][15]

Reception

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Critical reception

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Tom Breihan of Stereogum reviewed the song in his "The Number Ones" column, calling the track "good" and praising its vocals and sound. He went on to write that some of the lyrics are "banal", particularly the line "If loving you is right, then I don't wanna go wrong," but stated that the overall mood is the more crucial focal point of a track like "Lately", rating it 7 out of 10.[1] In Radio & Records magazine, Stan Branson wrote that the track is a "deserved" number-one hit, complimenting Divine's vocals and comparing them to those of the Emotions and the Jones Girls.[16] Melisa Stefas of Las Vegas radio station KLUC-FM said that the song provides mass appeal to women, noting its emotional impact, while Bobby Nichols of WIIZ in South Carolina praised the group's harmonies, calling the song "legitimate".[2] In October 2020, Cleveland.com placed the song at number 115 (out of 140) on their "Every No. 1 Song of the 1990s Ranked from Worst to Best" list, calling the track a "gospel song masquerading as an R&B jam".[17]

Chart performance

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Following its commercial release, "Lately" debuted at number 36 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on September 12, 1998.[18] Over the next few weeks, it rose up the chart, entering the top 20 in early October and the top 10 later that month.[19][20] On November 28, the song ascended to the number-one spot for that week only with sales of 82,000, becoming the first number-one single for Divine, the songwriters, the producers, and the record labels.[21][22] The single spent 27 weeks on the Hot 100 and appeared on the year-end charts for both 1998 and 1999, at numbers 61 and 31, respectively.[23][24] On December 7, 1998, the song was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipping over one million units domestically, selling about 100,000 more copies by the end of January 1999.[25][26]

On other Billboard listings, "Lately" reached number two on the Hot R&B Singles chart, number four on the Rhythmic chart, and number 11 on the Pop Airplay chart.[27][28][29] The track also found popularity in dance clubs, allowing it to peak at number 46 on the Dance Club Songs ranking.[30] In Canada, the single reached number 47 on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart and number 25 on the RPM Dance ranking.[31][32] Outside North America, the song first charted in Germany in December 1998, peaking at number 75 the following month.[33] In late 1999, the song reached the top 50 in Australia and New Zealand while also appearing on the singles charts of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.[34][35] Divine would release only one more single, a cover of George Michael's "One More Try", before their record label dissolved in 1999.[1]

Track listings

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Personnel

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Personnel are lifted from the US CD single liner notes and the Fairy Tales album booklet.[4][3]

  • Christopher Kelly – writing
  • Will and Pete – co-production
    • Will Baker – writing, keyboards, Hammond B3, drum programming, vocal arrangement
    • Pete Woodruff – keyboards, drum programming
  • Divine – vocals, background vocals
  • Talonda Fields – additional vocals
  • John Howcott – keyboards, production, engineering
  • Marcus Williams – drums
  • Donald Parks – production, engineering
  • Jonnie Most – mixing
  • Mark South – vocal arrangement
  • Alex Nesmith – engineering
  • Jim Zumpano – engineering
  • Mike Simmons – engineering
  • Daniel Boom – assistant engineering
  • Lynn Goldsmith – photography

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[25] Platinum 1,100,000[26]

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States August 25, 1998 Rhythmic contemporary radio
  • Pendulum
  • Red Ant Entertainment
 [7]
1998
  • CD
  • cassette
 [4][8]
October 6, 1998 Contemporary hit radio [9]
United Kingdom October 4, 1999
  • CD
  • cassette
 Red Ant Entertainment [10][11]

Samantha Mumba version

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"Lately"
Single by Samantha Mumba
from the album Gotta Tell You
ReleasedDecember 10, 2001 (2001-12-10)
Length5:10
LabelPolydor, Wildcard
Songwriter(s)Christopher Kelly, Will Baker
Producer(s)Steve Mac
Samantha Mumba singles chronology
"Don't Need You To (Tell Me I'm Pretty)"
(2001) 		"Lately"
(2001) 		"I'm Right Here"
(2002)
Audio
"Lately" on YouTube

Irish singer Samantha Mumba released her version of "Lately" on her debut album, Gotta Tell You (2000).[47] "Lately" was the fifth and final single released from Gotta Tell You internationally on December 10, 2001.[48] Mumba's version peaked at number three in Ireland and number six on the UK Singles Chart.[49][50]

Music video

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In the music video, the scenes flash between Mumba singing and a wall calendar flipping down the days.[51] After Mumba's initial close-ups, she turns her head, and the video pans to an Asian man's photo hanging on a wall, which continues to show up throughout the clip.[52] Later in the video, Mumba is shown in front of a dancing choir.[53] At the end of the video, the camera zooms out from Mumba's face.[54]

Track listings

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UK CD single[55]

  1. "Lately" (radio edit) – 3:54
  2. "Lately" (Ralphi's Vox 12-inch vocal club mix) – 7:03
  3. "Lately" (Junior Jack club mix) – 7:04
  4. "Lately" (CD-ROM)

UK cassette single[56]

  1. "Lately" (radio edit) – 3:54
  2. "Lately" (Ralphi's Vox 12-inch) – 7:03
  3. "Lately" (Stuntmasterz vocal mix) – 7:03

Charts

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Breihan, Tom (June 22, 2022). "The Number Ones: Divine's 'Lately'". Stereogum. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Taylor, Chuck (October 17, 1998). "Red Ant's Teen-Diva Trio Divine Finds Inspiration in Classic R&B Sounds". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 42. p. 94. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Fairy Tales (US CD album liner notes). Divine. Pendulum Records, Red Ant Entertainment. 1998. 63291-12325-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ^ a b c d e f Lately (US CD single liner notes). Divine. Pendulum Records, Red Ant Entertainment. 1998. 63291-15316-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ "Video Monitor: New Ons". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 30. July 25, 1998. p. 83. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "Video Monitor: New Ons". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 32. August 8, 1998. p. 73. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1262. August 21, 1998. p. 46.
  8. ^ a b c Lately (US cassette single sleeve). Divine. Pendulum Records, Red Ant Entertainment. 1998. 63291-15316-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ a b "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1268. August 21, 1998. p. 44.
  10. ^ a b "Divine: Lately". Music Week. October 9, 1999. p. 3. Released Oct 4th 1999
  11. ^ a b "New Releases – For Week Starting 4 October, 1999: Singles". Music Week. October 2, 1999. p. 27.
  12. ^ a b Lately (UK CD1 liner notes). Divine. Red Ant Entertainment. 1999. RA002CDS.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ a b Lately (UK CD2 liner notes). Divine. Red Ant Entertainment. 1999. RA002CDSX.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ a b Lately (Australian CD single liner notes). Divine. Red Ant Entertainment, Mushroom Records. 1999. MUSH01889.2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Reece, Doug (October 3, 1998). "Popular Uprisings". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 40. p. 26. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  16. ^ Branson, Stan (November 6, 1998). "In My Opinion". Radio & Records. No. 1273. p. 52.
  17. ^ Smith, Troy L. (October 21, 2020). "Every No. 1 Song of the 1990s Ranked from Worst to Best". Cleveland.com. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Divine Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  19. ^ "The Hot 100". Billboard. October 3, 1998. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  20. ^ "The Hot 100". Billboard. October 24, 1998. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  21. ^ Sandiford-Waller, Theda (November 28, 1998). "Hot 100 Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 48. p. 71. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  22. ^ Bronson, Fred (November 28, 1998). "Pendulum Takes a Divine Swing to Top". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 48. p. 76. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  23. ^ a b "Billboard Top 100 – 1998". Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  24. ^ a b "Billboard Top 100 – 1999". Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
  25. ^ a b "American single certifications – Divine – Lately". Recording Industry Association of America.
  26. ^ a b "Best-Selling Records of 1998". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 5. January 30, 1999. p. 75. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  27. ^ a b "Divine Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  28. ^ a b "Divine Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  29. ^ a b "Divine Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  30. ^ a b "Divine Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  31. ^ a b "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7472." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  32. ^ a b "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 7467." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  33. ^ a b "Divine – Lately" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  34. ^ a b "Divine %5BUS%5D – Lately". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  35. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  36. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 8, 1999". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  37. ^ "Divine %5BUS%5D – Lately" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  38. ^ "Divine %5BUS%5D – Lately". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  39. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  40. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  41. ^ "The Year in Music 1998: Hot R&B Singles". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 52. December 26, 1998. p. YE-51. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  42. ^ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1998". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 46.
  43. ^ "1999 The Year in Music: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-57. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  44. ^ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 54.
  45. ^ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 53.
  46. ^ "Hot 100 Singles of the '90s". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. YE-20. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  47. ^ "Gotta Tell You: Samantha Mumba". AllMusic. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  48. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting December 10, 2001" (PDF). Music Week. December 8, 2001. p. 25. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  49. ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Lately". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  50. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  51. ^ Mumba, Samantha (actor) (2001). Lately (Music video). Polydor Records, Wildcard Record. Event occurs at 0:50.
  52. ^ Mumba, Samantha (actor) (2001). Lately (Music video). Polydor Records, Wildcard Record. Event occurs at 0:41–0:47.
  53. ^ Mumba, Samantha (actor) (2001). Lately (Music video). Polydor Records, Wildcard Record. Event occurs at 1:53.
  54. ^ Mumba, Samantha (actor) (2001). Lately (Music video). Polydor Records, Wildcard Record. Event occurs at 3:52.
  55. ^ Lately (UK CD single liner notes). Samantha Mumba. Polydor Records, Wildcard Records. 2001. 570 523-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  56. ^ Lately (UK cassette single sleeve). Samantha Mumba. Polydor Records, Wildcard Records. 2001. 570 523-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  57. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 4. January 19, 2002. p. 19. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  58. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  59. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  60. ^ "Ireland – Top Singles for 2001". Allcharts. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  61. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  62. ^ "Top 100 Songs of 2002". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2002. Archived from the original on June 2, 2004. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  63. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
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