"Lately" is a ballad

Ballad

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...

 recorded by American R&B

Contemporary R&B

Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...

 girl group

Girl group

A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...

 Divine

Divine (group)

Divine was an american R&B girl group formed in 1996 who are best known for their 1998 hit single "Lately". Group members include Kia Thornton, Nikki Bratcher and Tonia Tash...

. The song was released as the group's debut single in 1998 and peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the USA. The gospel-inspired song was eventually released to international markets, but it failed to make as big of an impact as it did in North America.

Track listing

US promotional CD single

1. "Lately" (radio edit) 4:05
2. "Lately" (main edit) 4:18
3. "Lately" (instrumental) 5:16

US CD single

1. "Lately" (radio edit) 4:05
2. "My Love" 4:51

Peak positions

Year	Chart	Peak position
1998	US Billboard Hot 100	1
	US R&B	2
	New Zealand Singles Chart	20
	Australian Singles Chart	50
	Dutch Single Top 100	51
	UK Singles Chart	52

End-of-year charts

End of year chart (1998)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	61
End-of-year chart (1999)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	31

End-of-decade charts

Chart (1990-1999)	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	84

Samantha Mumba version

In 2000 Samantha Mumba released her version of the song on her debut LP Gotta Tell You

Gotta Tell You

"Gotta Tell You" is the debut single by Irish singer Samantha Mumba, released in 2000. The song was written and produced by the Swedish team BAG & Arnthor . It was an international hit, peaking at number four on the U.S...

. Due to the lack of popularity of the original version, performed by Divine, throughout the world (except in the USA), Mumba's label decided to release the song as a single internationally. The single was released in the Autumn of 2001, followed by a commercial release in December 2001. The single managed to peak at number 6 in the UK Singles Chart.

Mumba's version is the most popular version to date internationally.

"Lately" was the fifth and final single from "Gotta Tell You" internationally. It is technically the album's sixth single overall.

Music Video

In the music video you see flashes of Mumba singing, and a wall calender flipping down the days. The video eventually goes into a scene of an Asian man's photo hanging on a wall, to whom Mumba is singing about. The video late shows Mumba in front of a dancing choir. It eventually closes with Mumba's face singing the last line "lately".

Track listing

UK CD single

1. "Lately" (Radio edit) 3:54
2. "Lately" (Ralphi's Vox 12" Vocal Club Mix) 7:03
3. "Lately" (Junior Jack Club Mix) 7:04
4. "Lately" music video

UK promotional CD1 - Remixes

1. "Lately" (Almighty Club Mix) 9:10
2. "Lately" (Craig J's Jump Mix) 4:04
3. "Lately" (Stuntmasterz Vocal Club Mix) 7:03
4. "Lately" (Ralphi's Vox 12" Club Mix) 7:03
5. "Lately" (Ralphi's Tech-House Dub) 7:46
6. "Lately" (Stuntmasterz Dub) 6:37
7. "Lately" (Ralphi's Tribe Dub) 9:31
8. "Lately" (Sao Benitez Club Mix) 8:58
9. "Lately" (Junior Jack Club Mix) 7:04
10. "Lately" (Blacksmith Club Rub) 5:26
11. "Lately" (Blacksmith Club Dub) 5:26

UK promotional CD2

1. "Lately" (radio edit) 3:55

12" promotional vinyl 1

1. A. "Lately" (Ralphi's Vox 12") 7:03
2. A. "Lately" (Ralphi's Tech-House Dub) 7:46
3. B. "Lately" (Ralphi's Tribe Dub) 9:31
4. B. "Lately" (Craig J's Jump Mix) 4:04

12" promotional vinyl 2

1. A. "Lately" (Almighty Club Mix) 9:10
2. A. "Lately" (Craig J's Jump Mix) 4:04
3. B. "Lately" (Stuntmasterz Vocal Club Mix) 7:03
4. B. "Lately" (radio edit) 3:54

Single-sided 12" promo 1

1. "Lately" (Sao Benitez Club Mix) 8:58

Single-sided 12" promo 2

1. "Lately" (Junior Jack Remix) 7:04

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Chart performance

Year	Chart	Peak position
2001	Irish Singles Chart	3
	UK Singles Chart	6