Carly Simon (born Carly Elisabeth Simon on 25 June 1945 - New York City, US… Read Full Bio ↴Carly Simon (born Carly Elisabeth Simon on 25 June 1945 - New York City, USA) is an American singer, musician, songwriter, and children's author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of hit records, and has since been the recipient of two Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award for her work. Throughout her career, she has amassed a total of 13 Top 40 Hits including "You're So Vain", "Nobody Does It Better" and "Coming Around Again".

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'll Be Home For Christmas
Carly Simon Lyrics

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I'll be home for Christmas
You can plan on me
Please have snow
And mistletoe

And presents 'neath the tree
Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams
Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams

Overall Meaning

Carly Simon's rendition of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" is a moving and heartfelt expression of longing for home. The lyrics of the song express the desire to be with loved ones during the holiday season, even if it is only in the dream world. The singer promises to be there for Christmas, in spirit if not in the flesh. The line "Please have snow and mistletoe" evokes the traditional imagery of Christmas, of cozy nights spent indoors with loved ones, while "presents 'neath the tree" conjures up the excitement and anticipation of Christmas morning.

The repetition of "Christmas eve will find me where the love light gleams" speaks to the universal feeling of wanting to be surrounded by love and warmth during the holidays. The line "If only in my dreams" adds a layer of bittersweetness to the song, emphasizing the feeling of distance and separation from loved ones. The overall effect of the song is one of tender nostalgia for Christmases past and longing for Christmases to come.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll be home for Christmas
I will make it home in time for Christmas.

You can plan on me
You can count on me to be there.

Please have snow
I would like there to be snow for Christmas.

And mistletoe
I hope there will be mistletoe to bring some extra Christmas cheer.

And presents 'neath the tree
I hope there will be Christmas presents waiting under the tree.

Christmas eve will find me
I will be there on Christmas Eve.

Where the love light gleams
There will be warmth and love waiting for me at home.

I'll be home for Christmas
I am determined to make it home for Christmas.

If only in my dreams
Even if I cannot physically make it home, I will be there in spirit.

Christmas eve will find me
I will be there on Christmas Eve.

Where the love light gleams
There will be warmth and love waiting for me at home.