You Don't Know My Name

Album: The Diary Of Alicia Keys (2003)
Charted: 19 3
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Songfacts®:

  • Introducing this song at a concert in Manchester, England, in 2012, Alicia Keys explained the meaning: "It's about that feeling you have when you see somebody that you really, really like, or at least you think you do. And you're trying to figure out, 'how am I supposed to say anything to this person? How am I supposed to introduce myself and get the story started?' It's not an easy thing to do. So maybe you could say something like this."
  • This was produced and co-written by Kanye West, who had previously worked on several hits for Jay-Z, including "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" and "'03 Bonnie And Clyde."
  • "You Don't Know My Name" was the first single released from Keys' second album, The Diary Of Alicia Keys. Her first album, Songs In A Minor, was a huge hit and helped her win the Grammy for Best New Artist. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Miki - Columbia, MD
  • This samples several portions of "Let Me Prove My Love To You," a 1975 track from The Main Ingredient, including the vocal background, the piano, and part of what sounds like Alicia's lead going into the verses, "Doing more than I've ever done for anyone's attention..." and "'Cause did I mention... you 'bout to miss a good thing." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Faundell - Brooklyn, NJ
  • Speaking during a VH1 Storytellers episode, Keys explained how she and Kanye West crafted this song. "It was the first time that I ever worked with at the time a kind of relatively unknown guy named Kanye West," she recalled. "He was this really excited guy. He had this song out called 'Through The Wire.' He's always been a super passionate guy."

Comments: 11

  • Nesha from Plains, GeorgiaI love this song so much.
  • AnonymousA song that has meaning that I listen to and Alicia keys is one of them
  • Nikki from Chicago, IlJohn Legend is singing the background vocals on this song.
  • Louis from Denver, CoContains a sample from the 1974 song "Let Me Prove My Love to You", written by J. R. Bailey, Mel Kent, and Ken Williams and performed by The Main Ingredient
  • Rain from Clinton, MdAwesome song from an excellent singer...
  • Kana from Fiddletown, Cathe song was o.k.
    it wasn't really my "type"
  • Sammy from New York, NyThe Reggae version of this song is just great. I once heard it in a park and I just had to have it. It appears on Reggae Gold 2004. Listen to it, if you haven't already, Alicia fans.
  • Kristy from Saco, Medid u know that Alicia played one of Rudy's friends in the older episodes of the cosby show? I think her name was maria
  • John from Washington, DcSorry, that's spelled Cooley not Coolie........
  • John from Washington, DcThe house party scene in this video pays homage to the 1970's movie "Coolie High".
  • Rossana from Long Beach, CaI love alicia keys especially the things she says in her songs they are so nice i love the song if i ain't got you.
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