May 16, 2008

Old School Friday: How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?

Ms. Marvalus and Mrs. Grapevine created the Old School Friday meme. I hope that any villager with a blog will adopt this weekly meme. The theme this week is 'Remakes'.

I immediately knew my choice. One of my favorite songs from back in the day was Stephanie Mills singing, 'How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?'. Many, many years later Prince sang the same song. More recently, Alicia Keys sang the song on one of her albums. The part that I never knew until this week was that Prince Rogers Nelson was the original songwriter who gave the song to Stephanie Mills. Of course, Prince Rogers Nelson is better known by his first name ...Prince. That is one talented brother. It is no wonder that his song is involved in remakes over a 20-year period!

Stephanie Mills * Album: Merciless (1983)



Prince * Album: Girl 6 (1996)


Alicia Keys * Album: Songs In A Minor (2002)



Well, villagers ... how come u don't call anymore?

Drumbeats began:

18 comments:

  1. Vivrant ThangMay 16, 2008 at 1:47 AM

    Now see, this is what it's all about! You taught me something I didn't know this week. I remember Prince's version and of course A Keys. But I had forgotten about Stephanie's version and didn't know that Prince gave it to her. Nice choice!

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  2. MarvalusMay 16, 2008 at 2:30 AM

    I knew you had a good one up your sleeve!!!

    That Prince...he sure can do a song good! tee hee hee...

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  3. HeyShae!May 16, 2008 at 9:06 AM

    Now see, you have two of my all time favorite people on here. Ms. Stephanie Mills & Mr. You-betta-work-it-out Prince. LOL I'll be on your post half the morning just hitting repeat.

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  4. VeronicaMay 16, 2008 at 9:22 AM

    Can't argue with you on this one. Many forget how much he's written for other artists. Good pick!!

    Exquisitely Black

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  5. Urban ThoughtMay 16, 2008 at 9:36 AM

    That's the joint right there. Alicia did her thing but Prince is the King.

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  6. UnknownMay 16, 2008 at 9:40 AM

    I didn't know Prince wrote that song. Prince is so the man. I have Stephanie's greatest hits in my stereo and on my ipod. I love eighties music.

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  7. UnknownMay 16, 2008 at 10:07 AM

    Vivrant Thang - Asante sana for your kind comments. I learned something new as well. I was sad that I couldn't find Stephanie's version in an embeddable video. I guess YouTube-compatible videos weren't too often back in the day...

    Marvalus, Shae-Shae, Veronica & Urban Thought - Asante sana for your visit and support...

    Sharon - You are encouraged to participate in our weekly OSF meme. Your 80s music love will be much rewarded...

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  8. DonMay 16, 2008 at 10:54 AM

    i hate to say it - but no one can touch stephanie mills on this song. not even the guy who wrote the song, prince. lol.

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  9. Hagar's DaughterMay 16, 2008 at 10:56 AM

    Stephanie Mills gets regular rotation on the iPod and I had forgotten about this. Isn't Prince talented...

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  10. UnknownMay 16, 2008 at 11:19 AM

    OK Villagers, can I just say that "I LOVE OLD SCHOOL FRIDAY". What is life worth if you learn nothing?! I had no clue that Prince wrote this and gave it to Stephanie Mills AND I had no clue that Stephanie Mills sang it!!
    I have got to tall my daughter this (She is a certified Alicia Keys Fan!!) because we always discuss the lack of originality in today's music!
    And for the record Stephanie won this hands down!
    peace & Love!

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  11. BelieverMay 16, 2008 at 12:07 PM

    Prince is a talented for sure. He's the whole package!

    Stephanie did good, but my favorite version is Alicia's. She reaches way down in her soul and it comes through.

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  12. QuickMay 16, 2008 at 1:55 PM

    Great choice...i thought that Prince was the originator! Once again, i'm learning SO much today

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  13. SjPMay 16, 2008 at 2:41 PM

    Villager - hmmmm - we're on the same wavelink this week. Great choices... I did Alicia Keyes and Brenda Holloway "Every Little Bit Hurts" hope you get a chance to drop by. SjP

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  14. Old School FridaysMay 16, 2008 at 5:27 PM

    I didn't realize Stephanie had a version of this song, what ever happened to Miss Mills? She just fell off the map at the height of her career.

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  15. UnknownMay 16, 2008 at 5:45 PM

    Sojourner - I checked you out young sista!

    Mrs. Grapevine - Stephanie Mills is still doing concerts. June 1 - Cricket Arena, Charlotte, NC

    June 21 - Pier 6-Baltimore, MD

    July 11 - Chene Park-Detroit, MI

    July 25 - Country Club Hills Theater-Country Club Hills, IL

    Aug 24 - Sunset Junction Street Festival-LA

    Sept 1 - Soul Festival-Downtown Oakland-OAK (outside)

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  16. Invisible WomanMay 16, 2008 at 11:37 PM

    Wow. That was Stephanie Mills? You learn something new every day...boy, did Prince sound sexay when he sang that!

    Where be Ms. Mills?

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  17. CassandraMay 17, 2008 at 1:38 AM

    I have just been schooled... I had no IDEA that Prince remade Stephanie's song.

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  18. DPMay 17, 2008 at 1:27 PM

    Villager - great choices, and I think that Prince will be recognized as one of the best musicians ever for his musical, production, and songwriting talent. He is responsible for the biggest hits of so many people's careers.

    Stephanie Mills and Alicia Keys, you can't go wrong with either version, though I'm leaning towards the A. Keys version. That 10-year olds influence, you know.

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