# Who's So Vain? (They Probably Think That Song Is About Them) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 17, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-so-vain-they-probably-think-that-song-is-about-them/477654 "2008-12-17T23:59:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-so-vain-they-probably-think-that-song-is-about-them/477654/21 "2008-12-18T09:18:48Z")
> [@Monkey\_Chews](#): > > I always thought it was about me. And I didn’t even think I was all that vain. The song is about me, I am that vain. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-so-vain-they-probably-think-that-song-is-about-them/477654/22 "2008-12-18T13:06:42Z")
I have brought up this entire subject in the past, till I was blue in the face. It doesn’t matter “who the song is about.” It’s a logical contradiction, and therefore meaningless. ---
**Author:** ![Finally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/67e7ee/32.png) [@Finally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finally)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-so-vain-they-probably-think-that-song-is-about-them/477654/23 "2008-12-18T19:38:57Z")
Enough of this! Now I have Mairsey Dotes, You’re So Vain, and the theme from Petticoat Junction all fighting for top billing. Stop! ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-so-vain-they-probably-think-that-song-is-about-them/477654/24 "2008-12-19T01:43:19Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > FWIW, the song is not about Mick; that’s a common mistake because he sings backup on the song. The song is about Warren. Are you kidding? That proves the song IS about Mick. How vain would someone have to be to sing on a song complaining about how vain he is! > [@Finally](#): > > Enough of this! Now I have Mairsey Dotes, You’re So Vain, and the theme from Petticoat Junction all fighting for top billing. > > Stop! So you flew the Cannonball up to Hooterville to see a total eclipse of the sun? You’re so vain, a kiddly ivey too. Won’t you? Won’t You? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-so-vain-they-probably-think-that-song-is-about-them/477654/25 "2008-12-19T01:57:38Z")
> [@Finally](#): > > Enough of this! Now I have Mairsey Dotes, You’re So Vain, and the theme from Petticoat Junction all fighting for top billing. > > Stop! Whatever you do, don’t listen to “Smell Yo Dick”. I swear, that thing is catchy. What? ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-so-vain-they-probably-think-that-song-is-about-them/477654/26 "2008-12-19T02:02:17Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > So you flew the Cannonball up to Hooterville to see a total eclipse of the sun? > > You’re so vain, a kiddly ivey too. Won’t you? Won’t You? _Wooden Ewe_? ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-so-vain-they-probably-think-that-song-is-about-them/477654/27 "2008-12-19T03:26:17Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > It’s a logical contradiction, and therefore meaningless. No, it’s only a logical contradiction if you assume that “I’ll bet you think…” **MUST** mean the speaker is saying the listener is wrong in thinking so. While that is certainly a common usage, it is not an exclusive one. It could just as well be - and in this case, I would say indeed is - “I’ll bet you think such and such, and if so you’re right!” In essence, Simon is saying “you’re so vain you’ll undoubtedly think I’m talking about you, and take pride in being publicized, even though it’s not complimentary.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-so-vain-they-probably-think-that-song-is-about-them/477654.md?page=1)