Simon's career began with a short-lived music group with her sister Lucy as The Simon Sisters. They had a minor hit in 1964 called "Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod", and made three albums together before Lucy left to get married and start a family. Later, Carly Simon collaborated with eclectic New York rockers Elephant's Memory for about six months. She also appeared in the 1971 Milos Forman movie Taking Off, playing an auditioning singer, and sang "Long Term Physical Effects", which was included in Taking Off, the 1971 soundtrack for the movie.
Simon's major breakthrough was 1972's No Secrets. The album spawned several successful singles, including Simon's biggest hit, "You're So Vain". Simon continued to produce successful albums through the 1970s and early 1980s, moving into film scores after she was dropped by her record label in 1985. She performed the main title song for the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me - "Nobody Does It Better" which was a worldwide hit in 1977.
Better Not Tell Her
Carly Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Better not make her jealous of me
Better convince her there was nothing between us
I'm not those initials in your diary
But if you slip and my name comes up
Don't deny that you knew me
Just leave out the white nights
The moon in your window
The promises after
Better not tell her why you love Spanish dancing
Don't bother to say that it's hot in the summer in Madrid
Let it all go now, Like smoke from a candle
Like the trace of a song that you hear in the wind
But if you slip and my name comes up
Don't deny that you knew me
Just leave out the white nights
The moon in your window
The break in your whisper
The promises after
Leave out the tears and the laughter
She won't need to know
That I cried when you left
That I think of you still
But if you slip and my name comes up
Don't deny that you knew me
Just leave out the white nights
The moon in your window
The break in your whisper
The promises after
Leave out the tears and the laughter
She won't need to know
That I'd die for your love
That I still love you
The lyrics of Carly Simon's song Better Not Tell Her suggest a plea from an ex-girlfriend to a former lover, advising him not to reveal to his new partner that they were once together. The singer starts by cautioning the man not to make his current girlfriend jealous of her, urging him to convince her that there was nothing between them. She then goes on to request that he keeps their intimacy a secret, asking him to omit certain details such as the "white nights," "moon in [his] window," "break in [his] whisper," and "promises after." These are presumably all romantic moments they shared together that could evoke feelings of jealousy, longing, or even suspicion in the new girlfriend.
Furthermore, the singer also advises her former lover not to disclose some facts about himself that she is privy to, such as his love for Spanish dancing and the rise in temperature during summers in Madrid. Instead, she urges him to let go of all such details and memories, comparing them to dissipating smoke from a candle or an echo of a song heard in the wind.
In summary, Carly Simon's Better Not Tell Her portrays a painful internal dialogue of a woman trying to move on from a past relationship but also wanting to preserve its beautiful moments, even if it means keeping them secret. The song's lyrics are poignant and relatable to anyone who has experienced heartbreak, loss, or regret.
Line by Line Meaning
Better not tell her, that I was your lover
Don't reveal to her that we had a romantic relationship.
Better not make her jealous of me
Avoid causing her any envy or resentment towards me.
Better convince her there was nothing between us
Make her believe that we had no romantic or intimate relationship.
I'm not those initials in your diary
I'm not just another fling or one-night stand that you randomly jot down in your diary.
But if you slip and my name comes up
Don't deny that you knew me
Just leave out the white nights
The moon in your window
The break in your whisper
The promises after
If you accidentally mention me to her, don't pretend like we never knew each other. Just don't bring up the romantic moments we shared together.
Better not tell her why you love Spanish dancing
Don't bother to say that it's hot in the summer in Madrid
Don't share with her the reasons why you love certain things, even if it's tempting to do so.
Let it all go now, Like smoke from a candle
Like the trace of a song that you hear in the wind
Let go of the memories and feelings associated with our time together, as they should be fleeting and transient like the smoke from a candle or the sound of a distant song.
Leave out the tears and the laughter
She won't need to know
That I cried when you left
That I think of you still
Don't tell her about the emotional or sentimental moments we shared. These are personal, private emotions that don't concern her.
She won't need to know
That I'd die for your love
That I still love you
There are certain things that are best kept secret, and my affection for you is one of them. She doesn't need to know the depth of my feelings for you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLY SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
hopppy54
I would play this album for hours...Saturday...
cleaning house...love Carly Simon so much
Amos Amaral Marao
Eu faria o mesmo!Adorei seu comentário!
Abraços do Brasil!👍❤😉
Sam Emfinger
A song that could strike a chord in many of us. Performed by someone who holds more talent, style, grace and Love for what she does. Thank-you Carly Simon.
M. Crick
Fell in love with this song the moment I put the CD on to listen. The guitar, the drums, the rhythm, the story. Twenty seven years later, I still love it.
Philip Croft
precisely, you sum it up well, the complete package is superb.
Clothahump1
One of the greatest lost love songs ever written. Carly is such a talent!
Tyre Arn
This woman is incredible. God bless you Carly Simon and thank you for your wonderful music.❤
Robert Brittenham
So glad someone writes music for grown ups. You are the best Carly!
magistrorm2
This song actually makes me cry every time I hear it. Ever since I first heard it on the radio way back in the 90's. It brings back some of the most beautiful memories of my life. God bless you Carly.
patrick walsh
It's April; 7, 2019, and I still love this song and the outstanding musicianship. I will always come back for a drink of this....