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.
Touched By The Sun
Carly Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And reach for the top of the sky
And the farthest point on the horizon
Do you know who you'll meet there
Great soldiers and seafarers,
Artists and dreamers
Who need to be close, close to the light
They need to be in danger of burning by fire
I, I want to be one
One who is touched by the sun,
One who is touched by the sun
Often I want to walk
The safe side of the street
And lull myself to sleep
And dull my pain
But deep down inside I know
I've got to learn from the greats,
Earn my right to be living,
Let my wings of desire
Soar over the night
I need to let them say
"She must have been mad"
And I, I want to get there
I, I want to be one
One who is touched by the sun,
One who is touched by the sun
I've got to learn from the greats,
Earn my right to be living,
With every breath that I take,
Every heartbeat
And I, I want to get there
I, I want to be one, One who is touched by the sun,
One who is touched by the sun.
The lyrics of Carly Simon's "Touched By The Sun" talk about the desire to achieve greatness, and the willingness to take risks to get there. The song talks about the people who have reached the top and the sacrifices they've made to be in such a position. The people who have achieved such heights are soldiers, seafarers, artists, and dreamers who need to be close to the light, and who are not afraid of the danger of burning by fire. The singer expresses her desire to join this list of people and become someone who is touched by the sun.
The second verse talks about the temptation to take the easy route and walk on the safe side of the street. But the singer knows she needs to learn from the greats, earn her right to be living, and soar over the night she needs to take risks and push herself out of the comfort zone. The singer expresses her willingness to be ridiculed by others for her unorthodox methods and says that she wants to be touched by the sun.
In short, the song talks about the struggle to achieve greatness, to take risks to get there, and to be willing to make sacrifices to achieve it. It is a song that encourages taking risks and pushing oneself beyond the limits.
Line by Line Meaning
If you want to be brave
If you desire to be courageous
And reach for the top of the sky
And aim high to achieve your goals
And the farthest point on the horizon
And strive to reach the furthest point on the horizon
Do you know who you'll meet there
Do you realize the kind of people you'll encounter?
Great soldiers and seafarers,
Brave warriors and adventurous sailors,
Artists and dreamers
Creative individuals with big aspirations
Who need to be close, close to the light
Who feel a strong desire to be close to success
They need to be in danger of burning by fire
They dare to take risks and face the possibility of failure
And I, I want to get there
And I too seek to reach that level of achievement
I, I want to be one
I want to join their ranks
One who is touched by the sun,
One who is blessed with success and greatness
One who is touched by the sun
One who is touched by success and greatness
Often I want to walk
Sometimes I am drawn to a cautious path
The safe side of the street
The path that poses the least threat
And lull myself to sleep
And become complacent
And dull my pain
And seek temporary relief from my troubles
But deep down inside I know
But I am aware
I've got to learn from the greats,
I need to learn from those who have achieved greatness
Earn my right to be living,
Earn the right to achieve my dreams and aspirations
Let my wings of desire
Unleash my deep desires
Soar over the night
Rise above the difficulties and obstacles
I need to let them say
I must be willing to accept criticism
"She must have been mad"
Even if people think I am crazy for taking risks and pursuing greatness
And I, I want to get there
And I still want to pursue my aspirations
I, I want to be one
I want to be part of the group who have achieved greatness
One who is touched by the sun,
One who is blessed with success and greatness
One who is touched by the sun
One who is touched by success and greatness
I've got to learn from the greats,
I need to learn from those who have achieved greatness
Earn my right to be living,
Earn the right to achieve my dreams and aspirations
With every breath that I take,
With each and every moment that I live
Every heartbeat
Every pulse of my heart
And I, I want to get there
And I am still determined to achieve greatness
I, I want to be one, One who is touched by the sun,
I want to join the ranks of the successful and be blessed with greatness
One who is touched by the sun
One who is touched by success and greatness
Lyrics Ā© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLY SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alankoz5067
The corruption and unadulterated commercialization of the music industry allow brilliant gems like this go almost completely unnoticed. I'm so thankful that I've often chosen the 'path less travelled.' Like one of those magical sunsets that happen and you look around and most people aren't noticing it; this is a masterpiece.
@blondiesaband
you're so right; I can't believe this wasn't one of Carly's biggest hits
@painite7211
These lyrics resonate so deeply
I love the ethereal vibe and how my heart beats every time I listen to thisš 'with every breath that I take, every heart beat '
Beautiful, Carly!
@Superfangelo
Carly wrote the song for her friend, Jacquelin Kennedy Onasis, when Jackie was diagnosed with a terminal disease. The song has gone on to inspire many of us to reach higher and work harder at our art, whatever your art may be.
I love Carly Simon. Always have, always will.
@nyneegardner6235
My high school best friend is named after her. We both come from very creative families. Today I dedicated this to her for her birthday. I Love both of my Carlys!!
@Starskylina87
It was non-Hodgkin lymphoma a form of Blood Cancer that took Jackie Kennedy Onassis' life. Her passing was a blow to Carly and to us as Kennedy fans. This has to be the best tribute Carly has done
@idonthaveachannel223
I read somewhere that her illness was lymphoma.
@adambaker6354
Jonathon Cain from Journey wrote the song.
@MB-pe1dw
I thought it was a tribute to Christa McAuliffe after it was used in a documentary about her.
@gustavoleiva6823
Que calidad de artista, expresiĆ³n y talento. The best Carly Simon!!