Lately (Stevie Wonder song)

Background and composition

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A still of a shirtless K-Ci in Jodeci's Unplugged performance of "Lately".[17]

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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]

Track listing

Charts

Certifications