Carly Simon Performs “You’re So Vain,” And You Won’t BELIEVE Who It’s About

Son Of A Gun…

Written in 1972, Carly Simon’s ultra sassy anthem ‘You’re So Vain’ was dominating the airwaves and sitting pretty in the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 by the time 1973 rolled around. It boasted the talents of guest vocalist Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, and appealed to a generation of women who each had a tale or two about a self-absorbed lover of their own. There was just one question, though…who was it about?

In 1972, Carly said that she wrote ‘You’re So Vain’ about several men, hinting years later that the letters A, E, and R were involved; it wasn’t husband James Taylor, nor was it friend Mick Jagger. It wasn’t until late 2015 that we’d find out the name of at least one of Carly’s muses, and the answer was surprising to everyone but him: Warren Beatty.

Fun Fact: Janet Jackson sampled this for her 2001 song ‘Son Of A Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You),’ which Carly guest starred on.

Still no word as to the identities of the other two men that inspired ‘You’re So Vain,’ but who cares – Carly Simon knew what she was doing when she crafted this gem, and the mystery surrounding it makes us love it even more!

+ You’re So Vain lyrics +

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? 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? don’t you?