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.
DESSERT
Carly Simon Lyrics
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Amazed by all that sand
I as in a sea of white
Swimming through the land
Nobody shocked me
Nobody locked me up
Nobody took my time
Nobody shook me up
The endless sand in the moonlight
I was in the desert
In the opalescent moon
Watching the horizon
And waiting for the moon
Nobody talked to me
Nobody looked me up
Nobody walked up to me
Nobody shook me up
All that happened was the white night
The endless sand in the moonlight
I was in the desert
Free to live or die
Looking in the mirror
And seeing just the sky
Nobody got to me
Nobody said what to me
Nobody shoved me
Nobody loved me
All that happened was the white night
The endless sand and the moonlight
Carly Simon's song "Dessert" is a poetic and thought-provoking reflection on solitude and freedom. The lyrics describe a moment when the singer finds herself alone in the desert, surrounded by endless sand and illuminated by the opalescent moon. The experience brings a sense of calm and peace, as there are no expectations or limitations imposed on her by others. The singer is free to live or die, to reflect on her thoughts and emotions, and to connect with the beauty and vastness of nature that surrounds her.
The song conveys a powerful message about the importance of solitude and introspection. In a world that is constantly demanding our attention and distracting us from our true selves, it's essential to take the time to disconnect and be alone with our thoughts. The desert symbolizes a space of emptiness and simplicity, where we can strip away the layers of our identity and confront our true selves. In this sense, "Dessert" can be seen as a meditation on self-discovery and inner transformation.
Overall, "Dessert" is a hauntingly beautiful song that invites the listener to reflect on the meaning of freedom, solitude, and human existence. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most profound moments of our lives happen when we are alone and surrounded by nothing but the vastness of nature.
Line by Line Meaning
I was in the desert
I found myself in a vast expanse of sand
Amazed by all that sand
Feeling overwhelmed by the vastness of the desert
I was in a sea of white
Feeling engulfed in a sea of sand that spanned as far as the eye could see
Swimming through the land
Moving forward through the endless expanse of sand, as if swimming
Nobody shocked me
No one startled or surprised me
Nobody locked me up
I was free to move and explore the open space without any restriction
Nobody took my time
I was not pressed for time and was free to proceed as leisurely as I pleased
Nobody shook me up
I was not jolted or disturbed by anyone or anything
All that happened was the white night
The only changes that occurred were brought about by the transition to night, with the sand becoming a radiant white
The endless sand in the moonlight
The sand stretched out before me without limit as the moon illuminated the landscape
I was in the desert
I was still in the desert environment
In the opalescent moon
In the pearlescent, iridescent moonlight
Watching the horizon
Gazing at the boundary between the sand and sky in the distance
And waiting for the moon
Anticipating the moon's ascent to its fullest, most brilliant form
Nobody talked to me
No one approached me to initiate a conversation
Nobody looked me up
No one showed me any scrutiny or interest
Nobody walked up to me
No one moved toward me in any way
Nobody shook me up
I was still not alarmed or agitated by anything or anyone
Free to live or die
I had total freedom of movement and choice, including the freedom to perish in the desert
Looking in the mirror
Examining oneself and one's own mind in deep introspection
And seeing just the sky
Realizing that everything in life is continually in flux and the only truly constant element is the heavens above
Nobody got to me
No one was able to influence or sway me
Nobody said what to me
No one gave me any commands or instructions
Nobody shoved me
No one forcefully or rudely interacted with me
Nobody loved me
No one expressed love or kindness to me in the harsh desert environment
All that happened was the white night
The only event that transpired causing any significant visual change was the natural, brightened landscape effected by the moonlight
The endless sand and the moonlight
The sand continued to stretch limitlessly while the moon continued to light one's way
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, GEMA
Written by: Mainieri, Michael T. / Simon, Carly Elisabeth
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind