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

• Alicia Keys – lead vocals, backing vocals, production, all other instruments
• Kerry "Krucial" Brothers – production, drum programming
• Russ Elevado – mixing

Charts

Release history