How Come You Don't Call Me
Alicia Keys · Unplugged [2005]
I....
yea baby....
I keep your picture beside my bed
and I still remember everything you said
I always thought our love was so right
I guess I was wrong
always thought you'd be by my side, papa, now you're gone
and I'm not tryina hear that shit
What I wanna know baby, if what we had was good
how come you don't call me...
anymore?
Still like a fire on a rainy night
(You aint think that did you?)
Still like it better when you're holding me tight
(you know, yea)
Everybody said, everybody said that we should never part
Tell me baby baby baby why, why you wanna go and break my heart
All I wanna know is baby, if what we had was good
how come you don't call me...
anymore?
Sometimes it feels like I'm gonna die
if you don't call me papa
Ooh you got to try
Won't get down on my knees
Won't beg you please
Please oh ooh..
won't you call me sometime papa
why on earth can't you just pick up the phone
you know I don't like to be alone
how come you don't call me (why must you torture me?)
how come you don't call me ...
(repeat chorus until faded)
How Come You Don't Call Me
Alicia Keys delivers a soulful reinterpretation of her hit single on the 2005 Unplugged album, showcasing her signature blend of R&B and neo-soul. This recording strips back the production to highlight her vocal nuances and piano-driven composition, emphasizing the emotional weight of the track. As a staple in her discography, the song reflects her ability to reinvent established material while maintaining the core identity of her work. The performance captures the intimate atmosphere characteristic of live acoustic sessions, allowing the melody and lyrical sentiment to resonate without the density of a full studio arrangement. Keys' command of the genre is evident in this rendition, which stands as a testament to her enduring influence on contemporary music and her skill in adapting her catalog for different listening contexts.