How Come You Don't Call Me

Album: Songs In A minor (2001)
Charted: 26 59
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was written and originally recorded by Prince as "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore." He recorded it using just his voice and piano, and released it in 1982 as the B-side of "1999." Keys is a classically trained pianist, so the song appealed to her.
  • Keys is a big fan of Prince. She got the idea to record this after someone from her record company put it on a tape for her to listen to.
  • Keys played this at Prince's 43rd birthday celebration at his Paisley Park compound in Minneapolis. She met Prince there for the first time; he gave her some advice and told her he liked her version of the song. This was high praise, as Prince generally didn't like people covering his songs.
  • Keys performed all of the songs from the album during her visit to Paisley Park. In her 2020 memoir, More Myself: A Journey, the singer recalled that Prince had just one rule: No cursing allowed. While she managed to avoid dropping any f-bombs, the curse-loving singer did let a few minor swear words slip. On her way out the door, Prince told her she owed him a dollar for his curse jar.
  • Canadian director Little X (Nelly's "Hot In Herre," Usher's "U Don't Have To Call") directed the music video for Keys' version, which follows the singer throughout her day as she prepares for a gig and wonders why her boyfriend hasn't called her. When he finally calls her at the end of the clip with a lame excuse, she hangs up on him. Comedian Mike Epps (Next Friday, The Hangover) played her boyfriend.
  • This is the third single from Keys' debut album, Songs In A Minor, following her breakthrough "Fallin'" and "A Woman's Worth."

Comments: 1

  • Charlette from Budapest, HungaryThis song is great! I really love it. Go and listen!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The Kingdom

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

Mac Powell of Third Day

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

Justin Timberlake

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?