About the Song
“You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon is a captivating and enigmatic song that has sparked endless speculation and debate since its release in 1972. Simon’s clever and cryptic lyrics paint a portrait of a self-absorbed and narcissistic lover, leaving listeners to wonder about the identity of the man she’s describing.
The song’s enduring popularity is due in part to its catchy melody and Simon’s powerful vocals, but it’s the mystery surrounding the lyrics that truly captivates audiences. Over the years, countless theories have been proposed about the song’s subject, with names like Warren Beatty, Mick Jagger, and Cat Stevens often mentioned. While Simon has confirmed that the song is about three different men, she has only publicly identified one: Warren Beatty.
Despite the lack of definitive answers, “You’re So Vain” remains a cultural touchstone, a song that invites listeners to become detectives, piecing together clues and forming their own theories. It’s a testament to Simon’s songwriting prowess that a song can continue to generate such interest and discussion decades after its release.
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Lyrics: You’re So Vain
Son of a gun.
You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht
Your hat strategically dipped below one eye
Your scarf it was apricotYou 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
When you said that we made such a pretty pair
And that you would never leaveBut 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 sunWell 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?You’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you
You’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you
You’re so vain, bet you think this song is about you