With Mick Jagger on backing vocals. Scroll down for bonus video in which Carly explains his appearance.
Single:
You’re So Vain entered the Australian singles chart* on 8 January 1973 and was a #1 hit. The song was #2 on the Top 100 of 1973.
Album:
The song is on No Secrets which entered the Australian albums chart* on 19 February 1973. The album reached #1 on 19 March 1973 and remained on top for 6 weeks.
Songwriter:
Carly Simon
Producer:
Richard Perry
Record label of Australian release:
Elektra
*Kent Music Report / Australian Chart Book. See About.
Original studio version:
Alternate version from Carly’s YouTube channel:
From Carly Simon: Live from Martha’s Vineyard:
BONUS CLIP BELOW – Carly Simon explains how Mick Jagger came to sing on You’re So Vain, and she is asked who the song is about.
Wikipedia:
The song is a critical profile of a self-absorbed lover about whom Simon asserts “You’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you.” The title subject’s identity has long been a matter of speculation, with Simon stating that the song refers to three men, only one of whom she has named publicly, actor Warren Beatty.
Read more: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You’re_So_Vain
Biography:
The lyrics pointedly accused someone – likely a lover – of being way too into himself. And with Simon’s famous lineup of romantic partners, the cocky individual could have pointed to Warren Beatty, Michael Crichton, David Geffen, Kris Kristofferson, Terrence Malick, Jack Nicholson, Cat Stevens, James Taylor or John Travolta — or even rumored flings with Sean Connery (she later denied any romantic interactions), Marvin Gaye and Jeremy Irons. And there was the possibility of Mick Jagger, with whom she shared “raw electricity” while singing together.
Read more: www.biography.com/news/carly-simon-youre-so-vain-inspiration
Lyrics:
You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht
Your hat strategically dipped below one eye
Your scarf it was apricot
You 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
Click for full lyrics
This song is also on our Spotify playlist Bang a Gong – the 70s
Find more songs to enjoy: Bang a Gong song finder
BONUS CLIP
CBS television interview in 1995: skip through to the 6:20 mark to learn how Mick Jagger came to sing on You’re So Vain, and she is asked who the song is about.
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