Photo: Getty
It's not who you think.
By claire daniel — Written on Apr 02, 2020
Admit it, ladies: You, too, have sung these lyrics with a particular gentleman in mind.
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?
Ahhh... such poetic truth in those lines, the beauty of which always stemming from the fact it was a song for the "everywoman" about the "everyman" in her life.
But now the gavotting, apricot-scarf-wearing man has been revealed.
No. It is not JUST about actor Warren Beatty.
Yes, Simon revealed the “Dick Tracy” star was at one of the men she alluded to in the personal lyrics.
“I have confirmed that the second verse is Warren,” she told People ahead of the release of her memoir, ‘Boys in the Trees.’ “Warren thinks the whole thing is about him!”
(Because of course he does, based on the lyrics.)
The other man isn't Mick Jagger or ex-husband James Taylor.
In fact, it's not even a former lover of Ms. Simon at all.
In fact, according to a rather creepy backwards-whispered "David" — as incorporated into a re-recorded version of the 1972 hit on her latest album 'Never Been Gone', released in the UK next week — it's Simon's former Elektra boss David Geffen.
Supposedly, the singer resented the record exec for the attention he lavished on Elektra/Asylum label-mate Joni Mitchell.
So there you go.
Although, we suppose the only way of really knowing if the riddle of 'You're So Vain' has been solved is if somewhere David Geffen is reading this and thinking: "well, obviously."
Now that we know the specifics behind the song, is it ruined?
Hopefully not, but let's give it a whirl: Wherever you are, sing along with us...
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....
Claire Daniel is a love and entertainment writer.
Editor's Note: This article was originally posted on February 26, 2010 and was updated with the latest information.