Carly Simon Reveals Identity of 'You're So Vain' Man?
Credit: Andy Kropa/Getty Images
It's one of pop music's most enduring mysteries: just who is Carly Simon sniping about in her trademark 1972 hit "You're So Vain"?
For nearly forty years, fans have guessed that the haughty lover in the song was one of Simon's famous exes: Warren Beatty, Mick Jagger, Kris Kristofferson or Cat Stevens. (The opening line: "You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht...")
Will any of these American Idol contestants stand the test of time?
But the real man, supposedly, is David Geffen, the openly gay co-founder of DreamWorks SKG and the head of Simon's then-record label, Elektra.
In an interview with Uncut magazine, Simon, 64, says a remastered version of the track reveals "the answer."
See music superstars rock the red carpet at the 2010 Grammys
"I'm just going to tell you this," the singer said. "The answer is on the new version of 'You're So Vain.' There's a little whisper -- and it's the answer to the puzzle."
But wait: that "whisper" can only be heard by playing the track backwards. The name whispered? "David." (Listen to the clip here.)
Check out photos of these enduring famous couples
The New York Post mentioned and eliminated musicians David Cassidy and David Bowie. Britain's The Sun was the first to claim it's Geffen. Simon supposedly resented the attention Geffen, now 67, lavished on promoting her folk music rival Joni Mitchell.
The 2010 version of "You're So Vain" appears on Simon's new album Never Been Gone, out next week.
Tell Us What You Think
52I always wondered who is was too and now i know but who is he anyways
I have alway thought it was about James Taylor. It makes more sense than David Geffen!
I still think its James Taylor.
@Ann: You're so right!
All of these years, I thought it was James Taylor...Hmm.
I'm not surprised the news bite is wrong.
According to other news sources as of today, 3/1/10, this news bite is wrong. Carly is denying that she said this and that David Geffen is NOT the inspiration behind the song. Which would make sense. So US maybe you need some new reporters.
Aww! Why did she tell? It ruins the song to know that she wasn't singing about a love interest but a gay, business executive. It was a much more intriguing song with that little element of mystery surrounding it. Disappointing.
David frickin' Geffen?!?! That's as disappointing as finding out that Alanis Morrisette's "You Oughta Know" is about frickin' Joey from "Full House"!!
It's been 40 years-- who really cares?
Should have left that one as a mystery!
The biggest clue-....when we "flew up to Saratoga and your horse (naturally} won". David Cassidy still owns and even breeds Thoroughbred racehorses and still races at Saratoga.
so say several attorney generals.
It is "David Axelrod," record producer for Capitol Records of the time.
Wow! It's a fight between 3 Jewish girls!
I had heard Mick Jagger.
I thought for sure the song was about James Taylor...WOW!
I meant flattering!! lol
This is not the most fattering pic of her is it?!
Carly is the most talented singer and song writer. She really has a unique style. I love this song and it never gets old to me even after all these years. I never knew there was an actual person who it was written about though.