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.
I'd Rather It Was You
Carly Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the moon rose up in blue
Heaven spoke and called my name
But I'd rather it was you
I'd rather it was you
[Chorus]
I'd rather it was you to hold me like the child
I'd like for you to carry me across
I'd rather it was you
Because
I'd rather it was you to hold me like the girl
That I've never been
I'd like to feel your breath upon my skin
I'd like to feel it finally beginning
[Chorus]
One will fit just like a glove
Two will feel like brand new
But you are all these things and more
And I'd rather it was you
I'd rather it was you
Carly Simon's song "I'd Rather It Was You" is a song about longing and desire. Throughout the song, Simon expresses her desire for someone she loves deeply, even in the face of temptation. The opening lines set the tone for the song, with the sun going down in flames and the moon rising up in blue, a metaphor for the conflicting emotions she is feeling. Heaven calls her name, yet she would rather it was the person she loves.
The chorus reveals that the person she desires is someone she wants to hold her in a way that makes her feel like a child, someone who can "carry" her across the challenges she faces in life. She wants to feel their breath on her skin and experience the beginning of a deep connection. The second verse continues this theme, with Simon wishing for the person she loves to hold her in a way that makes her feel like the girl she never was.
The final verse confirms that while two people may fit together perfectly, the person she loves is everything she could ever want, and she would choose them above anyone else. Simon's mournful voice and melancholic lyrics create a powerful emotional response, with the listener feeling the weight of her longing.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight the sun went down in flames
The day ended with a tumultuous event.
And the moon rose up in blue
As the night began, a sense of melancholy haunted me.
Heaven spoke and called my name
I felt a divine presence calling out to me.
But I'd rather it was you
Despite the call of heaven, my heart belongs to someone else.
I'd rather it was you
I yearn for the presence of the one I love.
[Chorus]
Refrain
I'd rather it was you to hold me like the child
I long for comfort and security that I have never experienced before.
That I never was
I never received the type of affection that would make me feel like a child.
I'd like for you to carry me across
I want to be taken care of and protected from the world.
I'd rather it was you
You are the only person that can provide me with this sense of security.
Because
Here is why
I'd rather it was you to hold me like the girl
I want to experience the innocence and purity of a young girl's love.
That I've never been
I have never felt this level of love and affection before.
I'd like to feel your breath upon my skin
I want to experience the closeness and intimacy of a physical relationship with you.
I'd like to feel it finally beginning
I yearn for a new beginning, full of love and passion.
[Chorus]
Refrain
One will fit just like a glove
Other relationships may be comfortable and familiar, yet still not as fulfilling.
Two will feel like brand new
Even new loves cannot compare to the depth and intensity of feelings for this person.
But you are all these things and more
The person I love is more than just comfortable or new - they are everything I want and need.
And I'd rather it was you
No one else could ever compare.
I'd rather it was you
My heart belongs entirely to you.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLY SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind