You're So Vain - Is This Song About You?

In December 1972 the popular song "You're So Vain" written and performed by Carly Simon, was released by the music world. It quickly became a number one hit early in 1973 and soon generated one of the biggest musical mysteries of that era. The number one question was "who is the song about"? There was even a contest run in Los Angeles, where radio listeners called in to offer their vote.


The lyrics castigate a self-absorbed former lover, so naturally, eyes turned toward men with whom Carly had previous liasons.


Popular guesses as to the subject of the song included Mick Jagger, Cat Stevens, Warren Beatty, Kris Kristofferson, her unfaithful fiance William Donaldson and ex-husband James Taylor. Even thirty years later, interviewers were still asking her the same question.


Carly herself never publicly acknowledged who the song is about, but is believed to have made the general comment in an interview that it was about "many vain men I have known in my life". In a 1973 interview, when asked if the song was about James Taylor, she replied "No, it's definitely not about James, although James suspected that it might be about him because he's very vain".


Warren Beatty on the other hand, thought the song was about him and even called Carly to thank her.For the record, Carly acknowledges the song contains elements about Warren Beatty, but more specifically, describes "a composite of three men in my L.A. days".


There was even a charity auction in which the prize would be the revelation of who the song was really about. The winner, also a personal friend of Carly's, who paid $50,000 was given a private performance of the song at Carly Simon's home, after which is it reported that she whispered the answer into his ear. The condition was however, that he shared it with no one. However, later, the winner was allowed to reveal that "the letter 'E' is in the person's name".


Quite obviously, Carly was enjoying the game of fascination as much as the rest of the world.


By 2004, Carly, who had already given out two letters - an "A" and and "E" told American TV personality, Regis Philbin, that "I'm going to add an 'R' in honour of you". Speculators went to work and so Mick Jagger, Warren Beatty and James Taylor were narrowed to prime suspects. Shortly before the writing of the song, Carly had been married to James Taylor, but she had admitted that he was not the subject of the song.


There is a reference in the song to the subject flying his learjet to Novia Scotia to see the total eclipse of the sun. Two solar eclipses were visible from Novia Scotia in the early 1970's. Another reference to the Saratoga Race Course meeting in New York, describes an event known to be frequented by the rich and famous. These appear to be indications of an real subject behind the song.


The speculation continues, but the song itself will be remembered as one of the best known songs of the century.

The song lyrics and other useful items for "You're So Vain" can be found at http://songlyricstoday.com