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.
Vengeance
Carly Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The policeman said.
I can smell the passion
Of another man on your breath
I could give you life, get you back for what I saw
That's vengeance he said, that's the law
You throw your misdemeanors right up in my face
I got to put you right in your lace
I should lock you up, get you back for what I saw
That's vengeance he said, that's the law
That's vengeance,
Oh that's vengeance
Yeah that's vengeance he said, that's the law
You've taken your half out of the middle
Time and time again
But now I'm damned if I'll give you and itch
Till I get even
She said: Just because you're stronger
And you hold it over me
I'll put the pedal to the floor,
And prove to you that I'm free
Though you've stopped me once again,
It's not the end of the war
It's vengeance she said, that's the law
That's vengeance, that's vengeance she said,
That's the law
Carly Simon's "Vengeance" tells a story of a woman who is caught by the police for driving recklessly, and she is accused of having another man's passion on her breath. The lyrics suggest that the woman is likely cheating on her partner, who is angry at her and desires revenge. The police officer tells her that he could get her back for what he saw, and he claims that that's the law, which suggests that he might let her go if she agrees to have sex with him. The woman, however, confronts her partner, saying that she won't allow him to hold his strength over her anymore. She speeds off, claiming that she is free and that she will go to any length to get back at him for all the times he has hurt her in the past.
The lyrics explore the themes of power dynamics and revenge in romantic relationships. The woman is tired of being mistreated and dominated by her partner, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to get even with him. The man, on the other hand, seems to be using his power to control and punish the woman, making her feel trapped and helpless.
Overall, "Vengeance" is a powerful and dramatic song that speaks to the complicated dynamics of romantic relationships and the desire for revenge. It paints a vivid picture of a couple locked in a battle of wills and power, where the stakes are high, and the emotions run deep.
Line by Line Meaning
That's dangerous driving baby,
The policeman thinks that you are driving dangerously and asks you about it.
I can smell the passion
I can sense that you are not alone, and another man is with you.
Of another man on your breath
I can smell another man's breath from your breath.
I could give you life, get you back for what I saw
I have the power to arrest you and punish you for what I witnessed.
That's vengeance he said, that's the law
This is not an act of revenge but a legal action that I am compelled to take to uphold the law.
You throw your misdemeanors right up in my face
You are constantly breaking the law and wouldn't even be here if you had not broken the law.
The kind of man I am,
I am a law enforcement officer and must enforce the law.
I got to put you right in your lace
I need to bring you to justice for what you have done.
I should lock you up, get you back for what I saw
You deserve to be punished and put behind the bars for the crime I saw you commit.
You've taken your half out of the middle
You have taken what rightfully belongs to both of us and made it your own.
But now I'm damned if I'll give you an itch
I am not going to let you get away with what you have done.
Till I get even
I will do everything in my power to get even with you.
She said: just because you're stronger
Just because you have physical strength, it doesn't mean that you are right.
And you hold it over me
You are using your physical power to control me.
I'll put the pedal to the floor,
I won't let you control me, and I will drive as fast as possible.
And prove to you that I'm free
I will prove to you that I am independent and free of your controlling behavior.
Though you've stopped me once again,
Although you have obstructed me yet again,
It's not the end of the war
This is not the end of the conflict between us, and I will keep fighting.
That's vengeance she said, that's the law
This is not revenge but the justness of law that I must follow to deal with you.
That's vengeance, that's vengeance she said,
Justice must be served, and this is the only way to achieve it.
That's the law
This is the legal way to seek justice and bring the guilty to justice.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLY SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidbrandel1311
She just doesn’t get the credit she deserves. I think she’s one of the most amazing singers I’ve ever seen.
@smgdata
Im with you there.
@brianmorrison7542
Agree...so many great songs she sang
@jonremymusic5192
She needs to be inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame...IMMEDIATELY!!! I just love Carly and her music!!!
@TheQHBlend1
She is now! Class of 2022! ❤
@drmusic3641
Could never figure out why this wasnt a hit. IT shoulda been HUGE!
@charlesmccauley164
Tony Levin Thumping the bass! Great cut!! Carly is timelessly classic
@adamsasso1
And Steve Gadd on drums wow what a rhythm section
@B4inSF
Billy Mernit on keyboards!
@freemangriffin4953
Carly got a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for this song! I sing this song around my house all the time! I love Spy, it ought to have been a huge hit album! Just brilliant! (: