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.
Happy Xmas
Carly Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun,
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fears.
And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong,
The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.
And so happy Christmas for black and for white
For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
And so this is Christmas and what have we done
Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so happy Christmas we hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
War is over if you want it, war is over now.
Carly Simon's version of "Happy Xmas" is a beautiful rendition of John Lennon's original song. The song starts with a reflection on the past year and the beginning of a new one. The lyrics ask what the listener has accomplished in the past year and suggest that a new year brings new opportunities. The line "I hope you have fun" is a reminder that the holiday season is a time for joy and celebration with family and loved ones.
The second verse of the song is a reminder that Christmas is a holiday for everyone, regardless of their social status or ethnicity. The holiday season is an opportunity for people to come together and find common ground with one another, leaving behind their animosities, making peace and love as the theme of the season.
The last stanza of the song is a reminder that we have the power to end war when we choose to do so. "War is over if you want it, war is over now" suggests that the choice is in our hands. If we put in the effort to make peace and create a better world, the war can end.
Overall, Carly Simon's "Happy Xmas" is a powerful reminder of the true meaning of the holiday season, with an emphasis on love and peace.
Line by Line Meaning
So this is Christmas and what have you done,
Reflecting on this Christmas and the year that has gone, what have you accomplished?
Another year over, a new one just begun.
Time has passed and a new year is beginning.
And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun,
I hope you enjoy the holiday season.
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
Spending time with loved ones of all ages and stages of life.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Wishing you joy and happiness during these holidays and in the upcoming year.
Let's hope it's a good one without any fears.
Here's to a hopeful and positive year free from anxieties.
And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong,
This holiday doesn't discriminate and is celebrated by all regardless of strength or status.
The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.
Both the rich and the poor experience the ups and downs of life, and the journey can feel never-ending.
And so happy Christmas for black and for white
It's a time for happiness and celebration for people of all colors.
For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights.
Let's work towards peace and unity, regardless of skin color.
War is over if you want it, war is over now.
Peace can be achieved if we all actively work towards it and desire it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Winston Lennon, Yoko Ono
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@a.a.a.8365
I've always loved this song🎶☃️
Now even more that you've sang it.
@andycznibiru2841
I love you. I see why my father loved your music.
@Swampzoid
This should be on the Holiday playlists everywhere in my opinion.
@CVeiga77
Meu grande amor Carly Simon!
@---Avalon---Sky---
🌺Wonderful,warm sweet, performance, capturing John's essence,most heartwarming,well done,Carly.🌹
@Rigel66
the near and the dear ones indeed!...Love you Carly!
@leostamm8537
You are so special Carly.I'm sure John would agree.I am still your BIGGEST FAN.Thanks Leo
@jamesjennison2063
A beautiful cover of a beautiful song by a beautiful lady! Know you won't remember the time we spoke together for awhile at the "Tin Roof" on the Vineyard, but that was the most enjoyable 1/2 hr of my summer that year :) Best 2 u Carly...
@VariedVids
Just beautiful, Carly! Brings back many great memories for me.
Two weeks from now will be the 35th anniversary of John Lennon's murder (December 8, 1980). I shall never forget the day when it seemed the entire world went upside down. Perhaps it really did, forever.
War has seemingly become common place since John wrote this song, and there's still no hope that war will ever be over. I, too, was a dreamer, John. But now entering old age, I've reached the conclusion that the world will never learn to live as one -- at least not as long as people still have their religion to kill or die for.
"As long as God occupies a portion of our thoughts, mankind must be content to suffer the hatred and antagonism of man. " ~ Joseph Lewis, 1920
@BrutoDaBurlyGoon
I usually make a point to listen to EVERY rendition of Lennons's amazing song each Christmas, and I hadn't actually listened to this one in a few years...which stunned me, as I kept thinking I KNOW there's a version that uses the original verse of either 'the war is so long/the road is so long' rather than 'the world is so wrong' that every other version uses. Much as I love every other artist who has done it, it always seemed a little...cheapened that they changed that verse.
Anyways, I love this version as not only is it beautiful, it stay true to the original, so, thanks for that Carly, Ive grown up with your beautiful voice and am happy you've lent your voice to one of my favorite Christmas songs, too
merry Christmas!