"Lately" is a song by American singer, songwriter and musician Stevie Wonder, recorded for his nineteenth studio album, Hotter than July (1980). It is a piano ballad about a woman's infidelity. The song was released in 1981 by Tamla, reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart and number 64 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

In 1993, R&B group Jodeci released a gospel-infused cover of the song. Their rendition surpassed Wonder's in chart performance and became the group's biggest hit, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Wonder joined the group in their performance of the song in The Arsenio Hall Show. Jodeci won the Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo for their version.

Composition

"Lately" is a piano ballad, reminiscent of Wonder's previous ones such as "Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer".[1][2][3][4] In the song, Wonder "voices sexual suspicion",[4] recounting his female lover's infidelity.[5] Wonder sings in a somewhat restrained manner until the 3 minute and 10 second mark, at which his voice becomes stronger, seemingly "on the verge of breaking down into utter despair."[5]

Critical reception

In 1981, Record World described "Lately" as touching and "perhaps his most beautiful, revealing work yet."[2] Retrospectively, Hanif Abdurraqib of Pitchfork in 2022 described the song as "a classic Wonder ballad, the artist and piano and a palpable sense of longing (forgettable to me, but only because of Wonder's singular ability to pull this type of song off in various ways throughout his career).",[1] while Jason Elias at AllMusic stated that unlike some of Wonder's similar material, "Lately" in particular hit all the perfect emotional and musical notes, and that the song is "enough to make a listener fall prey to an old-fashioned cry."[3] He concluded his review saying "for anyone who is unclear of Wonder's greatness, this track is the proof."[3]

Personnel

  • Stevie Wonder – lead vocals, bass synthesizer, piano

Charts

Chart (1981) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6]17
Ireland (IRMA)[7]6
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[8]36
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[9]15
UK Singles (Official Charts)[10]3
US Billboard Hot 100[11]64
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[12]33
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13]29
West Germany (GfK)[14]64
Chart (2013)Peak
position
South Korea International (Circle)[15] 55

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[16] Silver 250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Jodeci version

R&B group Jodeci recorded "Lately" live for the Uptown MTV Unplugged release on May 1993. Released as a promotional single alongside a studio version, the cover became their biggest hit, surpassing Wonder's in chart performance and winning them a Soul Train Music award for Best R&B/Soul Single. Wonder joined the group during a performance of the song in The Arsenio Hall Show.

Background and composition

While planning the 1993 MTV Unplugged special intended to showcase the roster of Uptown Records, the label's founder Andre Harrell asked Jodeci to perform Wonder's song on the special in the 24 hours before it was recorded; Harrell bought the compact disc of Wonder's record and played it for them. Jodeci agreed and they learned the song afterwards.[17][18] The special aired on May 31, 1993.[19]

The Unplugged version is a live recording, with only members K-Ci and JoJo on the vocals.[20] Tom Breihan of Stereogum described Jodeci's Unplugged cover as a "tender old school love-song" that was "a bit atypical of the group", performed with gospel's "passionate theatricality".[20] Jon Caramanica of The New York Times stated that K-Ci and JoJo followed Wonder's build up to the final moment where his heretofore restrained vocals become intensified, but the two also put in the "sober ecstasy of gospel".[17] AllMusic's Jason Elias stated that the group kept the "inherent sadness of the music" and "added even more pain and volume suitable to the words."[3]

The group also recorded a studio version.[17] It was titled "Lately (Main)". Spanning six minutes, that version was produced by member DeVante Swing and featured an additional outro.[21] It was recorded on Hit Factory and Right Track in New York.[22] Jodeci's "Lately" was released as a single for cassette on May 25, 1993,[23] and for vinyl on June 22, 1993.[24] The studio versions were released only on the single, and were not included in the Uptown MTV Unplugged album.[22] Reissues of Jodeci's album Diary of a Mad Band featured the shorter four-minute radio edit of the studio version.[citation needed]

Critical reception

Elias Leight for Rolling Stone stated that "Jodeci always excelled at slow tempos, and their “Lately” lingers wonderfully."[18] Rashad Grove of BET called Jodeci's cover "arguably the best rendition of a Stevie Wonder composition."[25] In The New York Times, Caramanica stated that K-Ci and JoJo "lovingly annihilated Wonder's original", and that "there is no other version of the song that matters."[17] Caramanica also said that sometimes Jodeci's Unplugged recording of "Lately" is his "absolute favorite piece of music": "Vocal brilliance, mature restraint, vigorous performance, supreme confidence — it would be a master class if anyone were able to study it, learn from it and replicate it."[17] On the other hand, a review of the Uptown MTV Unplugged special on its airdate from The Baltimore Sun stated "their rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Lately” is wonderfully heartfelt, though occasionally oversung."[19]

Live performances

Since Uptown MTV Unplugged, the group has performed the song numerous times.[17] In their performance of the song in The Arsenio Hall Show in 1993, host Arsenio Hall brought out Wonder to join them. Wonder added ad libs, including one where he sang, "I like the way you sing my song.”[18] On their performance with Wonder, JoJo stated: "That just let us know, ‘Yes, Jodeci is somebody.' We cried like newborn babies."[18] In 2002, K-Ci and JoJo performed it for Wonder on BET's 8th Annual Walk of Fame Honoring Stevie Wonder.[17]

Cultural impact

Released as a promotional single, Jodeci's cover became the group's biggest hit, succeeding the chart performance of Wonder's original.[17][20][18] The cover reached numbers four and seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 in August 1993.[17][20][26] On the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, the cover spent weeks on the number one spot, making the cover the group's fourth number one R&B hit.[18] Having topped the charts for 13 weeks, executive producer Andre Harrell referred to it as their "End of the Road", analogous to the chart-topping single for Boyz II Men.[27] It sold 900,000 copies and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.[28]

Caramanica in The New York Times described the Unplugged performance as having become iconic. Jodeci's "Lately" was parodied in the sketch comedy television series In Living Color and featured in the sitcom Martin.[17]

Accolades

At the 1994 Soul Train Music Awards, Jodeci won Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo for their cover of "Lately".[29]

Music video

In the black and white music video, Jodeci performs the song in an empty high rise room with a view of the city at night. DeVante Swing plays piano and Mr. Dalvin drums, while K-Ci and JoJo sing. Later, K-Ci raises his arms, and the video transitions to the room at daytime. The video ends with a fade to black after JoJo waves goodbye to the camera.

Credits and personnel

Adapted from the vinyl back cover.[22]

Uptown MTV Unplugged

Main version

  • Produced by DeVante Swing for Swing Mob Productions, Inc.
  • Recorded by Paul Logus
  • Assistant recording engineer – Louis Alfred
  • Mixed by Greggg Mann
  • Assistant mix engineer – Troy Hightower

Extended live version

  • Produced "live" by DeVante Swing for Swing Mob Productions, Inc.
  • Additional live production – Swing Mob for Swing Mob Productions, Inc.
  • Executive producer – Andre Harrell

Track listing

Cassette

Adapted from the back cover.[30]

Program One
No.TitleLength
1."Lately" 
Program Two
No.TitleLength
1."Lately (Album Version)" 

Vinyl

Adapted from the back cover.[22]

Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Lately (Main)"6:20
2."Lately (TV Track)"6:20
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."Lately (Extended Live)"5:06

CD

Adapted from the back cover.[21]

No.TitleLength
1."Lately (Radio)"4:23
2."Lately (Main)"6:23
3."Lately (World Beat Peace Remix)"6:24

CD Maxi-Single

Adapted from the back cover.[31]

No.TitleLength
1."Lately (Radio)"4:20
2."Lately (Main)"6:20
3."Lately (TV Track)"6:20
4."Lately (Extended Live)"5:06
5."Lately (World Beat Peace Remix)"6:20

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[42] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Abdurraqib, Hanif (February 27, 2022). "Stevie Wonder: Hotter Than July Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. March 28, 1981. p. 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-02-19. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Elias, Jason. ""Lately" Song review at Allmusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
  4. 1 2 Holden, Stephen (February 5, 1981). "Hotter Than July". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Hyden, Steven (September 20, 2011). "Stevie Wonder's Songs In The Key Of Life". The AV Club. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  6. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992: 23 years of hit singles & albums from the top 100 charts. St Ives, N.S.W, Australia: Australian Chart Book. p. 342-343. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Stevie Wonder". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  8. ↑ "Stevie Wonder – Lately" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  9. ↑ "Stevie Wonder – Lately". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  10. ↑ "Stevie Wonder Songs and Albums | Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  11. ↑ "Stevie Wonder Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  12. ↑ "Stevie Wonder Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  13. ↑ "Stevie Wonder Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  14. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts (West Germany)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  15. ↑ "Digital Chart: 2013 Weeks 07". Circle. Archived from the original on August 31, 2025. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  16. ↑ "British single certifications – Stevie Wonder – Lately". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 18, 2022. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Lately Stevie Wonder in the "Search:" field.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Caramanica, Jon (May 12, 2020). "Jodeci's Unplugged 'Lately' Was Its Pinnacle. Andre Harrell Made It Happen". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Leight, Elias (September 4, 2018). "Flashback: Stevie Wonder Joins Jodeci for a Stirring 'Lately' on 'Arsenio Hall'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  19. 1 2 "MTV opens summer season with uneven 'Unplugged' set". The Baltimore Sun. May 31, 1993. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  20. 1 2 3 4 Breihan, Tom (June 3, 2022). "The Number Ones: K-Ci & JoJo's "All My Life"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  21. 1 2 Jodeci (1993). Lately (Compact disc back cover text).
  22. 1 2 3 4 Jodeci (June 22, 1993). Lately (Vinyl back cover text).
  23. ↑ "Lately [Cassette Single] - Jodeci". AllMusic. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Lately [Vinyl Single] - Jodeci". AllMusic. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  25. ↑ Grove, Rashad (May 13, 2024). "Stevie Wonder: The Maestro Behind the Music". BET. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1993". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 3. BPI Communications. January 15, 1994. p. 73. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  27. ↑ Hirschberg, Lynn (September 1, 1993). "Andre Harrell, Hollywood's Newest Music Mogul". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on June 4, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  28. ↑ "American certifications – Jodeci – Lately". Recording Industry Association of America.
  29. ↑ Associated Press (March 16, 1994). "MUSICIANS HAILED ON SOUL TRAIN". Deseret News. Archived from the original on June 4, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  30. ↑ Jodeci (May 25, 1993). Lately (Cassette back cover text).
  31. ↑ Jodeci (1993). Lately (Compact disc maxi-single back cover text).
  32. ↑ "Jodeci ARIA chart history complete". ARIA. Archived from the original on July 22, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
  33. ↑ "Jodeci – Lately". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  34. ↑ "Jodeci Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  35. ↑ "Jodeci Chart History (Hot Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2024-04-01. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  36. ↑ "Jodeci Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  37. ↑ "Jodeci Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  38. ↑ "Jodeci Chart History (Rhythmic Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  39. ↑ "Top 100 Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. LVI, no. 49. 1993-08-14. p. 10. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  40. ↑ "The Year In Music 1993 - Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 52. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. December 25, 1993. p. YE-20. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-06-27. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  41. ↑ "Awards: Top 50 Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. LVII, no. 19. 1993-12-31. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-05-19. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  42. ↑ "American single certifications – Jodeci – Lately". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lately_(Stevie_Wonder_song)