Carly Simon finally reveals the subject of 'You're So Vain'...

Daily Mail ^ | 02/26/2010 | Lizzie Smith

[SeekAndFind]

For years there has been debate about which of Carly Simon's ex-boyfriends could have inspired the hit song You're So Vain.

But while former lovers Mick Jagger, Kris Kristofferson, Cat Stevens and Warren Beatty were left wondering whether 'this song is about you', they have been proved wrong.

For the Seventies singer has finally revealed the real inspiration behind her hit track wasn't a boyfriend at all - it was openly gay record producer David Geffen.

Simon, 64, ended the 38 year guessing game by whispering the name backwards on a reworked version of the song for her new album Never Been Gone, out next week.

Previously Simon had always claimed the song was a 'composite' of people she knew.

In 1972 when she wrote the song billionaire Geffen was the head of her Elektra record label.

It is thought she was inspired to write the damning lyrics after Geffen put all his time and energy into promoting her rival, Joni Mitchell, over her.

In the hit Simon sings that the man walked into the party like he was walking on to a yacht.

The subject of her wrath jilted her before going to Saratoga to watch his horse naturally win.

Beatty is said to have been convinced he was the inspiration behind the song.

Other suspects included Jagger, who sang backing vocals for the original song, and James Taylor, the American songwriter to whom Simon was married between 1972 and 1983.

[mark3681]

Shoot! And all these years I thought it was about me!
Not that I ever cared who it was about.

[GOP Poet]

awesome! People should really rethink being too intentionally unkind to any artist. They never know when they are the next evil main character or topic in a piece of work—later to be revealed of course. LOL. In this case I am sure it was sweet revenge the success of her song, raking in millions!!!!!!!! Go Carly! Glad she came out with who.

[crusty old prospector]

Now I can sleep better at night.

[SJSAMPLE]

“Beatty is said to have been convinced he was the inspiration behind the song.”

Self-fulfilling prophecy.

[GOP Poet]

yes. Think of all the disappointed narcissist today. LOL.

[ilgipper]

She should have kept it a secret, because it fit her former boyfriends so well and was kind of fun to keep it a guessing game. On the other hand, what a great promotion for the new record.

[SeekAndFind]

HERE ARE THE LYRICS OF THE SONG FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FORGOTTEN....

You walked into the party
Like you were walking onto a yacht
Your hat strategically dipped below one eye
Your scarf it was apricot
You had one eye in the mirror
As you watched yourself gavotte
And all the girls dreamed that they’d be your partner
They’d be your partner, and

You’re so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You’re so vain
I’ll bet you think this song is about you
Don’t you? Don’t you?

You had me several years ago
When I was still quite naive
Well, you said that we made such a pretty pair
And that you would never leave
But you gave away the things you loved
And one of them was me
I had some dreams they were clouds in my coffee
Clouds in my coffee, and

You’re so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You’re so vain
I’ll bet you think this song is about you
Don’t you? Don’t you?

I had some dreams they were clouds in my coffee
Clouds in my coffee, and

You’re so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You’re so vain
I’ll bet you think this song is about you
Don’t you? Don’t you?

Well, I hear you went up to Saratoga
And your horse naturally won
Then you flew your Lear jet up to Nova Scotia
To see the total eclipse of the sun
Well, you’re where you should be all the time
And when you’re not, you’re with
Some underworld spy or the wife of a close friend
Wife of a close friend, and

You’re so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You’re so vain
I’ll bet you think this song is about you
Don’t you? Don’t you?

[GSWarrior]

I have been waiting with Anticipation to learn this.

[ilgipper]

Did I just say ‘record’? Wow, not a term we use too often any more.

[sharkhawk]

So Beatty thought “You’re So Vain” was about him but it wasn’t, so maybe the song was about him. You’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you are some of the lyrics.

[montyspython]

With the current administration in place, this song has now become relevant again.

[Rocko]

I have been waiting with Anticipation to learn this.

I'm glad Carly finally let the rest of us ketchup.

[dfwgator]

Did I just say ‘record’? Wow, not a term we use too often any more.

Or do they still use "album."

[misharu]

You’ve been waiting for Heinz Ketchup?

[OB1kNOb]

I have been waiting with Anticipation to learn this.

It's too late, baby.

[Perdogg]

I always thought it was Warren Beatty. In fact, the first edition of trivial pursuit had Warren Beatty as the answer.

[Doulos1]

So, does that mean Carly is homophobic? Will the liberal left start and inquisition and a bonfire? No. Hell who else would wear an ascot but a fag?

[Califreak]

I used to be a fan of both, but to me, Simon’s song was far more distinct in my memory than anything Mitchell ever wrote.

All these years, I thought it was stereotyping cruel and shallow men in general, not anyone specifically.

[ReneeLynn]

If Geffen is gay why would he be with the wife of a close friend?

I still think it fits Beatty better.