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.
Legend In Your Own Time
Carly Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since you were a small boy
And your mama used to say
"My boy is gonna grow up and be
Some kind of leader some day"
Then you'd turn on the radio
And sing with the singer in the band
"This isn't exactly what we had planned"
But you're a legend in your own time
A hero in the footlights
Playing tunes to fit your rhyme
But a legend's only a lonely boy
When he goes home alone.
And though I know you
Still have the heart of that small boy
Well, you lend it out far too much
And no one woman loving you
Can ever feel that she's been really touched.
Then you turn on the radio
And sing with the singer in the band
Think kind of sadly to yourself
This isn't exactly what you had planned.
But you're a legend in your own time
A hero in the footlights
Playing tunes to fit your rhyme
But a legend's only a lonely boy
When he goes home alone.
Well a legend's only a lonely boy
When he goes home alone.
The lyrics to Carly Simon's "Legend In Your Own Time" explore the complexities of fame and the struggles of maintaining a personal life while living in the public eye. The song begins by describing the subject's early aspirations - his mother believed he was destined for greatness as a leader. However, his path led him to a career in music, which she did not initially approve of. Despite this, he became successful in the industry and became a "legend in his own time" - a hero to those who watched him perform onstage.
However, the song takes an introspective turn as it delves into the loneliness that comes with fame. The subject sings about the fact that he often gives away his heart too easily, leading to a sense of emptiness despite his popularity. He recognizes that his life has strayed from the plan his mother originally had for him, and he is left feeling unfulfilled.
This song offers a commentary on the price of fame and the pressure to maintain a certain image. It explores the idea that those who are viewed as successful and accomplished might be struggling with their own personal demons, and that their fame does not necessarily equate to happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I have known you
I have been familiar with you for a long time
Since you were a small boy
Ever since you were young
And your mama used to say
And your mother would often remark
"My boy is gonna grow up and be
"My son will become
Some kind of leader some day"
"a powerful and inspiring figure someday"
Then you'd turn on the radio
Next, you would switch on the radio
And sing with the singer in the band
And sing along with the lead vocalist of the group
Your mama would say to you
Your mother would say to you then
"This isn't exactly what we had planned"
"This wasn't what we had in mind"
But you're a legend in your own time
However, you are already an iconic figure
A hero in the footlights
Admired and beloved by many
Playing tunes to fit your rhyme
Performing songs that reflect your inner feelings
But a legend's only a lonely boy
But a legend can be a solitary person
When he goes home alone.
When they have no one to go home with.
And though I know you
And even though I am aware of your true self
Still have the heart of that small boy
You still have a youthful and innocent heart
Well, you lend it out far too much
You give it away too readily to others
And no one woman loving you
And when no woman who loves you
Can ever feel that she's been really touched.
Truly feels emotionally connected to you
Then you turn on the radio
You switch on the radio again
And sing with the singer in the band
And sing along once more with the band's vocalist
Think kind of sadly to yourself
Reflect on this sadly to yourself
"This isn't exactly what you had planned."
"This isn't quite what you had in mind."
But you're a legend in your own time
But you are still an iconic person
A hero in the footlights
A respected and beloved performer
Playing tunes to fit your rhyme
Performing songs that express your emotions
But a legend's only a lonely boy
However, an iconic figure may be a solitary person
When he goes home alone.
When they have no one to be with them at home.
Well a legend's only a lonely boy
An iconic person may be a solitary person.
When he goes home alone.
When they have no one to be with them at home.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Carly Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind