Carly Simon sang “you’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you”. Read the full story…
She never said who it was about, but she had come out of relationships with Mick Jagger, Cat Stevens, Warren Beatty and Kris Kristofferson, so its assumed its one of these guys.
I always had a problem with this song. Between these four guys there is probably more than enough vanity to go around. However, she sings “you’re so vain”, and as an example she offers the evidence “You probably think this song is about you”.
Well, sorry Carly, but it is about them. For example, if mick jagger thinks the song is about him, and it isn’t, then he is being vain. If Mick Jagger thinks this song is about him, and it is, then he isn’t being vain. He is merely being realistic. He thinks the song is about him, and it is. I would say that correctly identifying the subject of a song doesn’t make you vain.
So whichever of these guys the song is about isn’t vain. If any of the others think the song is about them, then they are vain, but the song isn’t about them. So out of four vain guys, Carly Simon picks the least vain one, whichever one it is, and writes a song about their vanity.
Next week I’ll prove that somebody else does it better…
I dare you to find a more vain human being than Mick Jagger (outside of pro sports).
Also, I’m pretty sure that line is supposed to be humorous, as Carly Simon would have to be a total moron not to have thought of the point you’re making.
Oh I’ve never thought of it like that - I always thought she was just making the point that the guy was SO vain, he’d assume that if she was singing about a guy then it must be about him. Whether it is him or not is irrelevant - it’s whether he thinks it or not.
La la la, you looked terrific (George),
La la la, everyone at the party was looking at you (George),
La la la, I fell for you, but you were so mean (George)…
Hey Steve, you’re so vain, I bet you think this song is about you!
