GOING VIRAL & CAUSING DRAMA? First Time Hearing Carly Simon - You're So Vain Reaction!

[@fastecp1]

She has many beautiful songs, but this was her biggest hit. I have probably heard this song about a thousand times in my life, and I still love it.

[@Rob-eo5ql]

“You gave away the things you loved. And one of them was me” Saddest line ever written.

[@karinanderson9722]

Nobody does it better is great! She won an Oscar for Let the River Run. It’s so good!

[@bryceeasterman3943]

The most amazing fact about the video this was a free concert on Martha’s Vineyard not announced they just started to play for anyone in the harbor what a concert

[@vicprovost2561]

I love this tune, whoever she was singing about, she got the point across. Fantastic singer, songwriter and pianist, she as one of the few, with Carol King, that I look to when I want to hear this genre of music. She Rock in her own way, I have loved Carly for 50+ years now.

[@Mare_bear738]

Agreed. Yes, Carole King❣️

[@vicprovost2561]

@Mare_bear738 Legend, even for this old metal head. Her, Carly and Karen Carpenter is what I listen to when I need these kind of tunes. Those ladies were the best.

[@Mare_bear738]

@vicprovost2561 👍 and Karen Carpenter is a must, too❣️

[@lindalou6105]

Yes, Carol's Tapestry album is great

[@peircedan]

Had you been a teenager in the 70s like I was it would have been impossible to have avoided hearing this song I think. It got a lot of air time.

[@Boomer_Power]

Confirmed. It was an enormous hit for Carly.

[@stevenseul361]

Grew up in the 70's also all over the radio..

[@70srocknroll]

Yes i was a teenager in the 70s great time to be alive

[@traviswooten5872]

The song is allegedly about actor Warren Beatty. He has a LEGENDARY reputation with women . His list is VERY IMPRESSIVE.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

She's said it's about 3 different people. Each verse represents each one and Beatty was definitely one of them

[@TheJohnnywbred]

Ironically Beatty now has been married a long time with Annette Benning .

[@kennethrussell1158]

Beatty has laid more pipe than Standard Oil

[@StuartistStudio1964]

​@@MoMoMyPup10 Yes, and James Taylor is allegedly another.

[@matthawkins8880]

@@MoMoMyPup10I think Mick Jagger might also be one.

[@mayLibertyprevail1a]

Carly Simon is such an underrated artist! Hope to see further reactions to her extensive catalog of hits.

[@drocker4729]

What a classic, you want more goodies from Carly-"Anticipation" or "Nobody does It Better-The Spy Who Loved Me"!

[@angelomichael4156]

Mick Jagger sang background on studio version leading to rumors

[@lindastarr4699]

Warren Beatty allegedly, she dated him and she referenced him in an interview.

[@alskjflah]

More importantly Mick Jagger’s vocals are noticeable and awesome in the studio version.

[@willblood7082]

Great reaction guys, I was born in 1960 and beginning in my early teens, I had a mad crush on her along with Debbie Harry, Stevie Nicks and Linda Rondstadt. Phil made a quizzical face at her lyric “gavotte”, just so you know, gavotte is an ancient French dance.

[@watchmanonthewall14]

In their day, four absolute beauties. I've always been partial to Carly.

[@alejandrobojorquez-to3sr]

CARLY SIMON - "" You Belong To Me "" is Amazing

[@oldschoolfink3212]

This was filmed at Martha's Vineyard where Carly mostly grew up. Her Dad was Simon, of Simon and Schuster Publishing Company in New York.

[@pjg58x]

My personal preference is always that reactors listen to the studio version of a song to hear the artist’s original intent and to hear it the same way we all heard it for the first time.

[@jamesdamiano8894]

I say it all the time to reactors. Listen to the original studio versions first and then check out live or cover versions after.

[@peterquinones3522]

@@pjg58x 100% this song studio version gets blocked on You Tube.

[@pjg58x]

@@jamesdamiano8894 Not the case here of course but sometimes a live version doesn’t even have some of the original band members in a group anymore.

[@scgreek1114]

Absolutely. Sound quality and production values are unsurpassed in the studio versions.

[@punkydoodle4774]

This is my favorite live version, but I usually want the studio, also. In my opinion, it flows better, and the sound quality is better. And sometimes bands just go off the rails when live. Plus, they missed out on Mick's backing vocals!

[@glennallen239]

The Second Verse is about Warren Beatty. Carly Simon said he thanked her for being in the Song. A few years ago confirmed that the second verse was about Warren Beatty. She said she was not saying yet who she was talking about in the first and 3rd verses.

[@happymethehappyone8300]

A MUST HEAR Classic,, Carly Simon "That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be" (Studio Version First) ❤

[@larrydlam]

I was 12 when this song came out. It was a favorite of my mother's. Mom is gone now but it is a special song to me because of my mother.

[@JeffPhillips-dn2fg]

Let The River Run- Carly Simon. Another big great song from Carly and love to see you react to it! It is an anthem song for many people growing up in the 80s.

[@bettybaby63]

Amazing songwriter & voice.

[@joecarcione6636]

The studio version features Mick Jagger on background vocals (one of a few men for which this song has been "credited" as inspiration)

[@mikemaricle9941]

He's one of the 3.

[@punkydoodle4774]

@@mikemaricle9941, no, he wasn't. I heard he definitely wasn't, because she didn't even know him when she wrote it. She said the second verse was Warren Beatty, David was written on that auctioned off piece of paper. It's surmised that was her boyfriend, David Geffen. The other man remains a mystery.

[@clifton8929]

Great song. Thanks for all the hard work and bringing joy and light into our lives. You are greatly appreciated.

[@markharris1125]

If you're worried about Sam singing 'You're So Vain', perhaps you should watch 'Nobody Does It Better' from the same concert. 😊

[@stevegoldy2196]

I love how the cat appeared at the 9 minute mark and started vibeing out to the song. The tail swishing was perfectly in beat. That cat has got some serious moves and even cats can be vain at times so they can relate

[@keymack2477]

From this same concert you MUST react to her song "That's The Way I Always Heard It Should Be"!

[@julieheath9507]

Definitely check out the studio version.

[@George-kv6gm]

Great song, really great commentary! Just for grins, Carly Simon's Dad is Richard Simon, the "Simon" in Simon and Schuster Publishing Company. When I was still young, when this song came out, Simon and Schuster was well known all around. So when I heard she was an heir to that publishing house...well, I was moderately impressed. There have been lots of guesses through the years as to the target of this "anthem". I originally heard it was Kris Kristofferson. I never kept up with it all, so I don't know who the lottery winner was. Anyways, thanks for letting us watch and listen with you, and God bless you and yours as we roll into 2025!

[@deniseg812]

about no one, this from her. She wanted to see who was vane. Mick Jagger, Warren Beatty and many others.

[@George-kv6gm]

@@deniseg812 Amazing! Thanks! And God bless you and yours in 2025!

[@holtless]

Always has been one of my favorite '70s tunes. Loved the reaction!

[@CharlesRNewman-pu1ud]

check out the level of musician on this song .these guy's are JAMMIN !!

[@peterquinones3522]

In the greatest rock music autobiography we have, Testimony by Robbie Robertson, Robertson wrote that Carly Simon was the most ruthlessly ambitious person he ever met in the rock music business, and believe me he knew every body personally from the Beatles to Hendrix to Dylan and on and on and on. 😮🎉

[@markhodge7]

@peterquinones3522 Robbie knew everybody. Now he's hanging out with those friends that passed.

[@bearmanz]

Carly Simon's musical rabbit hole would be a great one to pursue. Great stuff in there.

[@kbrewski1]

I remember hearing all kinds of guesses as to who she was referring to when this came out. Mick Jagger was high on the list and he sings backup vocals on the studio original. Warren Beatty the actor was also suspected.

[@marybill1429]

Carly one of the best singer songwriters

[@Jude_196]

LOVE her Boys In The Trees album!! Title cut is AWESOME!! Just LOVE CARLY SIMON!! Thanks for this one!! HUGS from TEXAS!

[@houseofproctor]

2nd verse is Warren Beatty.

[@lesgrice4419]

The bass riff that starts it was Klaus Voorman (ex Beatles, Lennon friend) messing on the bass in the studio when they were all sat about not knowing how to start it, the engineer/producer said play that again,he did, and Simon said 'Son of a gun', they began the song and on the original you hear Simon say that phrase and Klaus comes in with the bass....

[@DaTo-k1o]

This is my favorite KZbin version.....for what it's worth.....

[@GaryNoone-jz3mq]

As a testament to her drawing power, I think that lead guitarist was Morris Gibb.😊❤

[@southernbella6535]

The whole album is great , lot of radio play time in the 70's . My dad loved her music so i heard this a lot growing up. Dive in to some more, shes as awesome singer / writer you wont be sorry. Love you guys, keep exploring great music !

[@nolansteiner4771]

iconic song. always love this one. whatever 'clouds in my coffee' means, it still sounds great!

[@Onz70]

may refer to the confusing aspects of life and love. The line was inspired by a comment made by Simon's pianist, Billy Mernit, who noticed clouds reflected in Simon's coffee while they were on an airplane. Mernit said, “Look at the clouds in your coffee. That's like a Truffaut shot!”.

[@greenacreshomestead8302]

The recorded studio version had Mick Jagger on backup vocal! And it hit hard in the early 70's.

[@michaelalexisstallings]

I liked the early line. "he had one eye on the mirror,to watch himself walk by"

[@stevenmotchan2048]

one eye in the mirror as you watched yourself gavotte.

[@russellevans2446]

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

[@jorgecolon2014]

At the time it was believed to be about the actor Warren Beatty who she had broken up with. For today's youth, he would be best known for his role in the movie Dick Tracy but he was one of the best leading man actors of his time.

[@pvdogs2]

In an interview, Carly said that the song is partly about Warren Beatty; but, is about 3 men. She said Warren thinks it's all about She said she will never reveal the names of the other 2 until they know it's about them.

[@kristofferholst6053]

No she didn’t it’s still a mystery - granted is the prevailing theory

[@pvdogs2]

@@kristofferholst6053 She did.

[@tkengathegrateful4844]

I always thought the song was about _her_, but Mr. Whoever was so vain he would think it was about him.

[@onechess]

When I was 16 and she was around 32 (if my memory can be trusted) me and my buddies had such a CRUSH on her!! lol

[@unclebobunclebob]

That chorus is one of the most clever of all time.

[@hopeklemann1]

🌸 I've seen this video many times and you've got to love the cowbell dude!!😅

[@stevenblock9712]

Carly had many interesting well-remembered hits, but a most interesting one is her first, That's the Way I Always Heard It Should Be.

[@zzz987654321]

Carly is an amazing! talent, the bass player that opens the song on stage and on the recording is Klaus Voormann - a close friend of the Beatles that dates back to their time in Hamburg, He designed the Revolver album cover , also the influence to the Beatle hair cut & turned out to be a great bass player, with Manfred Mann from 1966 to 1969. I met him doing shows in Liverpool "a real gentlemen"

[@joanfisher1079]

Mick Jagger sang backing vocals on the studio track for this song and single by Carly. Heard it was about Warren Beatty, who is the brother to Shirley McClaine. He was quite the looker and Bachelor back in the day with a revolving door of ladies.

[@EnsignTaurik]

It's very creative to come up with a word that rhymes with "yacht" and "apricot" and also makes sense. 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*

[@JohnnyC60]

Thanks Sam and Phil. First, this song brings back great memories of a vacation trip by car from DC to Disney World for New Years 1973, a month or so after this single was released. It was all over every radio station along the way, must have heard it 30-40 times that week alone. Second, what a great live performance this was from 1987, true to the studio recording, especially her vocal. Carly was all that in the 70's, on par with other female pop artists you've featured on your channel (say, Ronstadt, Carpenter, Newton-John). The mystery man (or men) behind the song was the subject of constant speculation ever since its release, which she wisely kept close until just 10 years ago.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Love the reaction guys, it's such a great song and the studio version maybe is better like a lot of people say but this is a great performance. And it's really a great setting, as you referenced, Sam

[@oldmanghost219]

Carly Simon - You're So Vain !!! Love it and her music. BTW ---Her father is the Simon in 'Simon and Schuster'. She also did ...Nobody Does It Better ... For a James Bond movie. Married to James Taylor 1972-1983

[@BALDAR222]

The real point of the song is... Love him or hate him; he's still in your head.

[@LoriCollis]

Yes, I had heard it was about Warren Beatty as well.

[@kenrk]

Love her duet with James Taylor singing "You Can Close Your Eyes".

[@Reba-123]

I have the whole concert on dvd transferred from old video tape … brilliant concert

[@rpk0925-s5j]

Carly Simon is my favorite solo song writer/singer ... thank you so much for the reaction! When it comes to people reacting to Carly, she is so under-appreciated She has a wealth of great songs, though it seems most of them aren't considered mainstream. For some of the mainstream hits, I'd suggest "Anticipation" (written while she was waiting for her date, Cat Stevens, to show up), "Nobody Does It Better" (a James Bond movie theme song) and "We Have No Secrets" ... to name a very few.

[@gswithen]

I think this song is about whomever thinks it's about them.

[@ruthlafler5622]

That's the point of "you probably think it's about you," right?

[@Serai3]

I always thought she was talking about Hugh Hefner. The song is such a perfect description of him, down to the hat and scarf, very 70's.

[@candacemay7187]

Carly Simon had no relationship with Hugh Hefner. And he's gross!

[@mikebo5926]

Think it wasWarren Beatty.

[@Serai3]

@@mikebo5926 People claim a lot of different guys. I've never heard Carly answer the question definitively.

[@mikebo5926]

@ you may be right. I heard it on a talk show so long age I cannot remember who said it. I only remember thinking aha! The mystery solved after all these years. But you’re right, it wasn’t her telling it. Happy New Year!

[@Lexington1705]

Great choice!

[@scottlaughlin9897]

Mick Jagger was one of the speculations, Warren Beatty, and one other. It’s claimed that it was about 3 different guys in her life. I could be wrong, but I do believe Mick did back up vocals on the studio version.

[@duaneford8875]

Good choice!

[@LindaEll]

I got to hear her perform that song in Saratoga, NY back in the 90s. She commented that it was the first time she sang it in that place. And it was the only time, because of her stage fright, she rarely tours.

[@stevem.1853]

There is a great live version of The Spy Who Loved Me aka Nobody Does It Better from this same show 👍

[@beckiramsey9561]

Always loved this song!❤❤❤

[@leedstown]

At this concert she did the best version of the James bond them no one does it better

[@avacrawford5729]

Sam so cute way she talks and reacts 😅

[@michelekoop244]

I’ve heard rumors it was about either Warren Beatty, Mick Jagger or James Taylor. As I teen, my friend and I prank called a guy I had a crush on and when he answered all we did was play the part “you’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you’ and hung up

[@salmanilla7943]

Love the lyrics and that unique bass intro.

[@tinakeith5822]

My favorite Carly Simon song is Anticipation!!! Also known as the ketchup song!!!

[@bradjenkins1475]

By the way, this particular song was taken from an outside concert that she did that was absolutely awesome. You need to actually see each and every song she did at this concert, it just is worth your trip.

[@hempchimp]

Hey Phil. With your sound background, would love to hear your take on the audio of her Voice on her open mic when her hair is obviously blowing quite a bit in the wind. Not a conspiracy, just curious how it's pulled off. Enjoy your takes and your partner's kinda cute. Keep up the Great work.

[@adolfomcasasjr4668]

Live from Martha's Vineyard. Try out Nobody Does it Better ( James Bond) also live from Martha's..

[@kallsop2]

IIUC, the song is actually about three different individuals, Warren Beatty, James Taylor and David Geffen of Geffen Records and in that order. Beatty was the playboy, Geffen was the music mogul jetting everywhere, and Taylor left her disillusioned (clouds in my coffee).

[@tonyakahler4862]

And Mick Jagger…that’s why he is singing back up

[@pjg58x]

In 2015 she confirmed that one of the men the song is about is Warren Beatty. In 1983 she said that Mick Jagger is not one of the men. She has also said that at the time she wrote the song she had not yet met David Geffen. She has also denied that it is about James Taylor. So Warren Beatty is the only real confirmation.

[@angelrogo]

​@@pjg58xBut there is a true fact: there always has been a love/hate triangle between Simon, Taylor and King.

[@jamescox9427]

One problem with this theory is James and Carly got married on Nov 3 1972 and were married more then 10 years. This song was released on Nov 8 1972. The timeline doesn't fit. Check out their duet live performance of Mockingbird. They are having too much fun to have any animosity in their relationship at that point in time.

[@candicelitrenta8890]

Kate Hudson actually IS a vocalist. She just recently made an album. You can hear her singing on some talk shows. She made the movie and purposely sang bad for characters sake. Reba MacEntire was on Young Sheldon tv show and she played someone who went to karaoke with Memaw and sang bad. Reba is a bonified singer with several hits out there.

[@RonErickson-w6n]

Kate Hudson has released an album. She's awesome.

[@michaelklassen9486]

Her music is great,a beautiful Cuban Lady.

[@ChuckHackney]

It was so much fun speculating who this song was about? The consensus seems to be Warren. Other candidates were Mick Jagger and I even heard Don McLean, for gosh sakes. But still, it does seem to be about Mr. Beatty. Pardon me now, I gotta go give myself a Shampoo, I am a little vain, 'cause lovin' me is the right thing to do..

[@greatriffishere]

Great reaction Phil and Samantha. You look amazing as always Samantha. Phil you hit it out of the park when you found Samantha. Ya'll are a great couple who really seem to compliment each other. I will say that neither of you seem so vain lol. Cheers from Texas and have a great New Year !!

[@brianhitzone37]

Kate Hudson is actually a great vocalist she just released her first album a couple months ago. Look into it.

[@greigclement9081]

This was from her concert at Martha's Vineyard in the mid 80s. A lot of pastels in the band wardrobe. lol The whole concert had synths playing a prominent part so very 80s. I have the dvd of the full concert, it's very good.

[@lisas6450]

😊❤ Hi Phil and Sam! 😅 This was fun watching your reactions to this song!! 😂🥰 This is one of those 'mystery' songs!! LOL 😂 Carly Simon said that the different verses were about different people!! 😮😅 It sounded like at least 3 different guys for sure? The two main names that always come up are James Taylor and Warren Beaty. Luv you guys! 😊❤❤

[@stevenseul361]

I had her Best of Album. I listened to her during the 70's Love her to death.... Part of the Hippie movement.. Try Mockingbird duet with her at the time husband James Taylor or Anticipation used in the 70's for Heinz Ketchup commercials. Excellent reaction guys. Another 70's artist to check out Carol King her Tapestry album blew the record charts up.

[@judylee9022]

Please react to Carly's smash hit "Jesse" an absolute banger that nobody ever talks about for some odd reason! A lot of people had a lot of Jesse's along side of your so vain!

[@bevalexander5897]

There was a contest a few yrs ago. Carly Simon agreed to tell the winner who the song was about. Publicly she has stated it was about 2 men, one of which was Warren Beatty.

[@thomaspellegrino2321]

Mick jaguar sang back ground on the original. Awesome duo with Carly. Great song

[@waynehauser3611]

If you listen to the studio version you will hear Mick Jagger on backing vocals , it's a killer song . Cheers from down under . 😎✌

[@MrYoup11]

Carly Simon as of earlier in a 2024 article has still never been to Nova Scotia, but she has some incentive to go now, since one of her daughters has moved there, Maybe since the article she has done that.

[@BiffTeka]

Don't listen to people telling you to do the studio recording. 100% You Tube will block it and you will have wasted your time. People that watch reactions on You Tube regularly should know this.😗

[@valyum5504]

Studio versions only, please!!!!

[@loisvansciver9194]

Fun fact: On the studio version, Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones sings backup

[@stevefoulston]

In 2003, Simon held an auction for a charity on Martha's Vineyard where she offered to tell the high bidder who this song is about. The winning bidder was Dick Ebersol, the president of NBC Sports, who paid $50,000. Ebersol had to sign a confidentiality agreement, but was allowed to give one hint - the man's name contains the letter "E." Over the next few years, Simon further revealed that there is also an "A" and an "R" in the name. Peace out.

[@harding10B]

Been trying to find this concert at Martha’s Vineyard for ages only been able to find clips but not the full concert.

[@raycewilliams3300]

I read that this song was about Warren Beatty. Not sure if that is true or not. Great reaction. Take care.....

[@robertshulenberger]

I've even heard it through the grapevine that this song could be about Dave Coulier, who played Joey Gladstone on the hit television show, Full House...

[@jollyrodgers7272]

This is a Live recording from her concert on Martha's Vineyard and NOT the original, which propelled her to international stardom. ANTICIPATION remains my favorite from Carly.

[@gunsanplanes]

"Clouds in my coffee". Per an interview with Carly, she and a friend were on a plane, Carly had the window seat and her friend noticed and commented to her that there were clouds in her coffee, nothing more than an observation of cloud reflections off the coffee that the friend saw. Carly used the line, but it had no special or hidden meaning.

[@darrinlindsey]

The "friend" was David Geffen, who Carly has said the 3rd verse is about.

[@pauld6967]

Her dreams were like the clouds seen "in her coffee," just an illusion without any substance.

[@flerbus]

Ephemeral

[@LadyIarConnacht]

Our music teacher made us sing this song in fourth grade. I don't think any of us had a clue what it was about.

[@chrisbrady8186]

Been listening to this song since the '70's, but never did understand the "clouds in my coffee" part.