[People] For 44 years, the subject of “You’re So Vain” has remained one of pop music’s most enduring mysteries.
But at long last, Carly Simon has solved the mystery – well, sort of.
The singer, 70, tells People that the second verse of her famous song refers to none other than Warren Beatty.
“I have confirmed that the second verse is Warren,” she tells People in an interview pegged to her much-anticipated memoir, Boys in the Trees, to be released later this month.
Does Beatty know about the seminal role he plays in the song? In keeping with its theme, “Warren thinks the whole thing is about him!” says Simon.
The mother and grandmother, who still resides in the same Martha’s Vineyard home she shared with former husband James Taylor, explains that the other verses refer to two other men – and she still isn’t naming names.
Will she ever? “I don’t think so,” she says, “at least until they know it’s about them.”
You’re So Vain
FIRST VERSE
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…REFRAIN
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?
SECOND VERSE
You had me several years ago when I was still quite naive
Well you said that we made such a pretty pair
And that you would never leave
But you gave away the things you loved and one of them was me
I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee
Clouds in my coffee, and…REFRAIN
THIRD VERSE
Well I hear you went up to Saratoga and your horse naturally won
Then you flew your Lear Jet up to Nova Scotia
To see the total eclipse of the sun
Well you’re where you should be all the time
And when you’re not you’re with
Some underworld spy or the wife of a close friend
Wife of a close friend, and…REFRAIN
Similar: Perfect Song
First Verse Guy:
Second Verse Guy: Warren Beatty
Third Verse Guy:
[Optional] Who is the most vain male star alive today?