Taipei - It sure took him a long time, but the God of Song is back.

Hong Kong singer Jacky Cheung released his first Mandarin single in seven years on Monday, choosing to go digital with it.

Love song The Rest Of Life was released on seven digital platforms including iTunes and music streaming services KKBox and Spotify, a Universal Music statement says.

It was written by five composers and the lyrics by Hong Kong lyricist Albert Leung.

In the statement, Cheung, who is nicknamed God of Song, admits to being a laggard.

"It really can't be helped, it taking seven years. Hope everyone will forgive me," he says.

He blames the delay on being more involved in the production.

So, "completing it turned out to be a tad more difficult, as I'm really very particular a person," he says.

The song comes on the 30th year of his musical career.

It opens on quiet notes of the piano and cello as Cheung is heard singing, "Time is spent waiting for a love/ Yet the rest of time together is spent hurting each other."

His Mandarin album is expected to be out at the end of the year, Apple reported.