Legal Commentary

Sunday Song Lyric

By Jonathan H. Adler

Carly Simon is releasing a new version of her 1972 hit, ?You?re So Vain,? renewing speculation over who the song is about.  For years, many assumed the song was about Warren Beatty ? indeed, that?s what Beatty himself said.   Other speculation is summarized on the song?s Wiki page. The new version of the song adds a new twist, however, as it contains a back-played whisper of the name ?David,? leading some to argue the song must be about David Geffen, or perhaps David Bowie.  Perhaps Simon will tell one day.  In the meantime, here?s how the song opens:

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
You?re so vain, I?ll bet you think this song is about you
Don?t you? Don?t you?

Here are the full lyrics and other tidbits about the song from CarlySimon.com.  And here are the 1972 version of the song and a live version.

Full post as published by The Volokh Conspiracy on February 28, 2010 (boomark / email).