Homely Girl
Encyclopedia
"Homely Girl" is a 1989 single by the band UB40
. It is a cover-version of a 1974 single by The Chi-Lites
which reached number 5 in the UK singles chart
, number 3 in the US R&B chart
, and number 54 in the Billboard Hot 100
.
It was the first single
from their 1989 album Labour of Love II
. The song was released on October 31, 1989 in the UK
, but only in April 1991 in France. It was a great success in these two countries.
In France
, the song was used in a TV advert for the Lee Cooper jeans
.
12" single
CD single
UB40
UB40 are a British reggae/pop band formed in 1978 in Birmingham. The band has placed more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. One of the world's best-selling music artists, UB40 have sold over 70 million records.Their hit singles...
. It is a cover-version of a 1974 single by The Chi-Lites
The Chi-Lites
The Chi-Lites are a Chicago-based smooth soul vocal quartet from the early 1970s, one of the few from the period not to come from Memphis or Philadelphia...
which reached number 5 in the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, number 3 in the US R&B chart
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
, and number 54 in the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
It was the first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from their 1989 album Labour of Love II
Labour of Love II
Labour of Love II is the second album of covers by the British reggae group UB40, released in 1989. The album contained two Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 hits - "Here I Am " peaked at #7, "The Way You Do the Things You Do" peaked at #6 - and "Kingston Town" reached #4 on the UK singles chart.- Track...
. The song was released on October 31, 1989 in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, but only in April 1991 in France. It was a great success in these two countries.
In France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, the song was used in a TV advert for the Lee Cooper jeans
Jeans
Jeans are trousers made from denim. Some of the earliest American blue jeans were made by Jacob Davis, Calvin Rogers, and Levi Strauss in 1873. Starting in the 1950s, jeans, originally designed for cowboys, became popular among teenagers. Historic brands include Levi's, Lee, and Wrangler...
.
Track listings
7" single- "Homely Girl" — 3:22
- "Gator" (instrumental) — 4:01
12" single
- "Homely Girl" (extended mix) — 7:29
- "Gator" (instrumental) — 4:01
- "Homely Girl" — 3:22
CD single
- "Homely Girl" — 3:22
- "Gator" (instrumental) — 4:01
- "Homely Girl" (extended mix) — 7:29
Peak positions
| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Top 40 | 5 |
| Irish IRMA Singles Chart | 10 |
| UK Singles Chart | 6 |
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
| French SNEP Singles Chart | 4 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1990) | Position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Top 40 | 58 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified | Physical sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | Silver | 1991 | 125,000 | 187,000 |