Who was the 'Your So Vain!' song about?

Read somewhere that it's probably about her boyfirend around this time, a guy named Dan Armstrong. Mick Jagger was the main suspect for years and years, mainly because she asked him to sing on it. Maybe someday the truth will be revealed.

I heard it was David Geffen.

People have speculated that it was either Mick Jagger or James Taylor (who has an ego the size of God btw)

It was actually written before she married James Taylor (who also sings on the song along with Mick) and describes several times her and Mick were together. So Mick has my vote.

Ive seen a bio in the library, havent read it, about three hippy chicks songwriters carly simon, carole King and Joni mitchell..you might be able to find out from there.


Its intriguing, such a good song though. Catchy.

Its called Girls like us.

Actually may borrow it. Ive read carole Kings memoir.

All three grew up during the feminist era so..lots of their songs focus on betrayal by men. Just a bit more sophisticated than the usual country woe is me songs.

I always thought it was about Mick Jagger.

Supposedly Carly Simon revealed it was Geffen a few years ago. She was ticked because he stopped promoting her career and turned to Joni Mitchell's instead.

According to the girls like us book, it was all of the above, they were vain men, but the vain guy walking into the party was Warren Beatty.

Also you forgot to include Jack Nicholson.

The only concrete clues she has given are that he has an A, an E, and an R in his name.

This does not rule out the most obvious suspects.

CS actually sold (!) the secret to Dick Ebersol (ex-president, NBC Sports) on the condition that it would be whispered to him out of everyone's earshot, and he never comment on it, one way or another.

Finished reading the girls like us book.

Interesting.
Carly had issues with men.
She was in a codependent marriage with James Taylor and had two children. He was an addict. Prior to that she had many lovers. All those girls did...some were serial monagamists, Carly had no inhibitions, she grew up with adulterous parents.

Carlys circle were rich upper middle class, jewish..although assimilated. Her family was the one that founded simon and schuster publishing company.

Caroles family were Jewish, her parents divorced when she was young. She married four times.
As for Joni, she grew up in WASP canada...had a baby out of wedlock whcih she gave up for adoption. Her desire to be an artist took over her life...she was brilliant, but tortured over giving up her child.

If wanted to analyse this song a bit more...it would seem Carly is referencing the men in her life which stem back to her dad.

Her dad died when she was young about 12 i think...and she did not establish a good relationship with him, she was competing with two older more accomplished sisters. That made her feel small.

Her need to be loved led her to forge relationships with emotionally unavailable men.

Celticflower said:

She was ticked because he stopped promoting her career and turned to Joni Mitchell's instead.

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Interesting. Mitchell seems to have gotten around a lot. CSN's song "Our House" was penned by Graham Nash when he lived with her and James Taylor's "You Can Close Your Eyes" was written for her as well when he was dating her.

The bio on those three was like musical chairs. Lost count of all their lovers.
James Taylor was a common denominator with all three.

I dont even know who this guy is lol.

I always heard it was Warren Beatty.

Nonetheless, it's a great song.

JackKerouac said:

I always heard it was Warren Beatty.

Nonetheless, it's a great song.

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Carly Simon has confirmed one of the verses is about Warren Beatty, but she won't say which verse.

The guy walking into a party, as I mentioned before.

Goodbook said:

I heard it was David Geffen.

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David Geffen is gay. Which doesn't rule out that he may have had intimate relationships with women. But I'd suspect the verse about being with the wife of a close friend more likely refers to someone else.