Carly Simon Reveals Partial Inspiration for ‘You’re So Vain’

Carly Simon Photo by Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

After over four decades, Carly Simon has finally shed some light on the mystery man behind her classic “You’re So Vain.”

In an interview with People, the Martha’s Vineyard resident revealed that the second verse of the song is actually about actor and Academy Award-winning director Warren Beatty.

“I have confirmed that the second verse is Warren,” Simon said.

Beatty and Simon briefly dated in the 1970s and, for years, people have speculated whether her song was about him or one of her other former beaus, such as Mick Jagger, Jack Nicholson, David Geffen, or ex-husband James Taylor.

While Simon has confirmed at least one person who’s referenced in the song, she’s still not ready to reveal the two other men who inspired her to write the hit. The singer admits that she’ll probably never divulge the whole secret, well, at least until she tells them about it first.

“Probably, if we were sitting over at dinner and I said: ‘remember that time you walked into the party and…” Simon told People. “I don’t know if I’ll do it. I never thought I would admit that it was more than one person!”

Despite confirming that “You’re So Vain” is about multiple people, Simon added that Beatty probably still believes he’s the main man behind the song.

“Warren thinks the whole thing is about him,” she said.