"How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?"
Song by Prince
from the album The Hits/The B-Sides and One Nite Alone... Live!
A-side
  • "1999" (USA, UK 7-inch)
  • "D.M.S.R." (UK 12-inch)
Released
  • September 24, 1982 (original)
  • November 3, 1998 (re-release)
RecordedApril 28, 1982
StudioSunset Sound (Los Angeles, California)
Genre
Length
  • 3:50
  • 6:11 (Take 2 version)
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)Prince
Producer(s)Prince

"How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" is a song by Prince. It is a ballad of romantic longing with some gospel elements. On his original recording of the song, which was released as the non-album B-side to his 1982 single "1999", Prince performs most of the song in his falsetto range, with his own bluesy piano playing providing the only instrumental accompaniment. The song's first album appearance was on his 1993 compilation The Hits/The B-Sides. It was later included on the soundtrack to the 1996 film Girl 6. Prince also performs the song on his 2002 live album One Nite Alone... Live!.

Artists who have covered the song include Stephanie Mills (1983), Joshua Redman (1998), and Alicia Keys (2001). Bilal recorded the song which appears on his 2001 single "Fast Lane". Roger Cicero recorded the song with Soulounge for the 2004 album Home; a live version by Cicero is included on his 2008 single "Alle Möbel verrückt". American Idol season 11 finalist Jessica Sanchez performed the song on the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2012.

Alicia Keys version

"How Come You Don't Call Me"
Single by Alicia Keys
from the album Songs in A Minor
B-side"Butterflyz"
ReleasedMarch 12, 2002 (2002-03-12)
StudioKrucialKeys (New York City)
Genre
Length
  • 3:57 (album version)
  • 3:31 (radio edit)
LabelJ
Songwriter(s)Prince
Producer(s)
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"A Woman's Worth"
(2001)		 "How Come You Don't Call Me"
(2002)		 "Gangsta Lovin'"
(2002)
Music video
"How Come You Don't Call Me" on YouTube

Recording and production

Alicia Keys recorded a cover of the song—retitled "How Come You Don't Call Me"—for her debut studio album Songs in A Minor (2001). She later told Billboard: "I had never heard [the original] before. They gave me a copy of the song on tape. I played it every day for three weeks. It is so raw and so truthful – I was just feeling it. It really came out well."[1]

Keys' cover of "How Come You Don't Call Me" was inspired by a long-term relationship with a partner,[2] and was produced by Keys alongside Kerry Brothers, Jr. An official remix of the song, produced by the Neptunes, was included on the Remixed & Unplugged in A Minor reissue of Songs in A Minor in 2002. It features vocals from Justin Timberlake towards the end of the track.

Music video

The accompanying music video for "How Come You Don't Call Me" was directed by Little X. It contains references to Japanese popular culture, such as San-X's Buru Buru Dog and Cardcaptor Sakura's Kero-chan, besides Korean character Mashimaro. The video starts with Keys waking up in the morning, and following her daily routine throughout the video, ending with a performance on stage. The video ends with a phone call from her supposed "boyfriend" (portrayed by Mike Epps) making an excuse about why he hasn't called her, and she hangs up on him, laughing.

Critical reception

Mark Anthony Neal of PopMatters felt that the song was credible, but fell short from the original or Stephanie Mills' 1983 cover.[3] Keys has said that Prince told her he loved her cover of the song.[4]

Track listings and formats

  • UK and Irish CD single and European promotional CD single[5]
  1. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Original Radio Version) – 3:31
  2. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Neptunes Remix) – 4:23
  • UK and Irish maxi CD single[6]
  1. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Original Radio Version) – 3:31
  2. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Neptunes Remix) – 4:23
  3. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Live Version) – 5:18
  4. "Butterflyz" (Roger's Release Mix) – 9:11
  5. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Video)
  • European maxi CD single[7]
  1. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Original Radio Version) – 3:31
  2. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Neptunes Remix) – 4:23
  3. "Butterflyz" (Roger's Release Mix) – 9:11
  4. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Video)
  • Australian and New Zealand maxi CD single[8]
  1. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Neptunes Remix) – 4:23
  2. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Original Radio Version) – 3:31
  3. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Album Version) – 3:57
  4. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Video)
  • Spanish promotional CD single[9]
  1. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Remix) – 4:23
  2. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Radio Edit) – 3:31
  • US promotional CD single[10]
  1. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Radio Edit) – 3:31
  2. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Instrumental) – 3:59
  3. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Call Out Hook) – 0:10
  • US promotional CD single (Neptunes Remix)[11]
  1. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Radio Edit) – 4:23
  2. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Instrumental) – 4:33
  3. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Call Out Hook) – 0:10
  • US 12-inch vinyl[12]
A. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Neptunes Remix – Main) – 4:21
B. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Neptunes Remix – Instrumental) – 4:21
  • UK 12-inch vinyl[13]
A1. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Original Album Version) – 3:57
A2. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Neptunes Remix) – 4:23
B1. "Butterflyz" (Roger's Release Mix) – 9:11
  • UK promotional 12-inch vinyl[14]
A1. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Neptunes Remix) – 4:23
A2. "Troubles" (Jay-J & Chris Lum Moulton Mix) – 8:59
B1. "Butterflyz" (Roger Sanchez Club Mix) – 9:11
B2. "How Come You Don't Call Me" (Live Version) – 3:10

Credits and personnel

Charts

Chart (2002) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[15] 29
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[16] 9
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[17] 3
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[18] 62
Germany (Official German Charts)[19] 80
Hungary (Single Top 40)[20] 4
Ireland (IRMA)[21] 32
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[22] 18
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[23] 73
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[24] 97
Scotland (OCC)[25] 40
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[26] 60
UK Singles (OCC)[27] 26
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[28] 6
US Billboard Hot 100[29] 59
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[30] 30
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[31] 34
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[32] 23

Release history

Release dates and formats for "How Come You Don't Call Me"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States March 12, 2002 J
Australia July 1, 2002 Maxi CD BMG
United Kingdom July 8, 2002 RCA
France July 9, 2002 Maxi CD BMG

References

  1. ↑ "Billboard June 2, 2001 – Google Pages". June 2, 2001. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  2. ↑ "The Maestro". Vibe. Vibe Media Group. 9 (10). October 2001. ISSN 1070-4701. Retrieved July 9, 2011.
  3. ↑ Neal, Mark Anthony. "Alicia Keys: Songs in A Minor". PopMatters. Retrieved May 2, 2009.
  4. ↑ Nazareth, Errol. "Hitting major Keys". Archived from the original on January 11, 2002. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  5. ↑ How Come You Don't Call Me (UK / Irish CD & European promotional CD single liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2002. 74321 94288 2 / 74321 94219 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ↑ How Come You Don't Call Me (UK / Irish Enhanced CD single liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2002. 74321 94289 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ↑ How Come You Don't Call Me (European Enhanced CD single liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records, BMG. 2002. 74321 94312 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ How Come You Don't Call Me (Australian / New Zealander Enhanced CD single liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2002. 74321951752.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ↑ How Come You Don't Call Me (Spanish promotional CD single liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2002. 74321 943552.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ How Come You Don't Call Me (US promotional CD single liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2002. J1DJ-21160-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ How Come You Don't Call Me (US promotional CD single (Neptunes Remix) liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2002. J1DJ-21180-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ How Come You Don't Call Me (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2002. J1PV-21180-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ How Come You Don't Call Me (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Alicia Keys. BMG. 2002. 74321 94312 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ How Come You Don't Call Me (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2002. 74321 94219 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ "Alicia Keys – How Come You Don't Call Me". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Alicia Keys – How Come You Don't Call Me" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Alicia Keys – How Come You Don't Call Me" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 31. July 27, 2002. p. 7. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Alicia Keys – How Come You Don't Call Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Alicia Keys". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  22. ↑ "week 48 (13 juli 2002)" (in Dutch). top40.nl.
  23. ↑ "Alicia Keys – How Come You Don't Call Me" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 37, saptamina 17.09–23.09, 2002" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on February 16, 2005. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Alicia Keys – How Come You Don't Call Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1443. March 8, 2002. p. 32. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  34. ↑ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 1st July 2002" (PDF). ARIA. July 1, 2002. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 6, 2002. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  35. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 8 July 2002: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. July 6, 2002. p. 27. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  36. ↑ "How come you don't call me – Alicia Keys – CD maxi single" (in French). France: Fnac. July 9, 2002. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
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