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.
When You Close Your Eyes
Carly Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
White Lorelei, she's a dream
She's not half as magic as she seems
But she's so much fun to be with
When you close your eyes do you see
Places that you've never seen
Yet you've been there
And you're so much fun to be with
Big surprise, you've been informed you're not asleep
Hard as you try you were never really meant to weep
When you close your door with a sign
Do not disturd, are you disturbed to find
That it's just as magic as it feels
And you're so much fun to be with
In Carly Simon's song "When You Close Your Eyes," the singer asks the listener to envision the places and people they see in their dreams. Simon asks if they see the mythical figure of the White Lorelei, cautioning that she is not as magical as she may seem. However, the experience of dreaming is still a joyful one, and the singer notes that the listener is "so much fun to be with" in their dreams. The lyrics seem to suggest that the dream world is a source of comfort and excitement, and that it is important to embrace this realm of the imagination.
The second half of the song focuses on the act of closing one's door and retreating into solitude. The listener is asked if they are disturbed to find that the sense of magic and wonder they experience in their dreams is present even when they are alone. The lyrics suggest that this feeling of solitude can be just as enchanting as the world of dreams, and that the listener is still a fun person to be around even when they are alone.
Overall, the lyrics to "When You Close Your Eyes" convey a sense of wonder and joy in the imagination. They suggest that even in moments of solitude or darkness, there is still magic to be found in the mind's eye.
Line by Line Meaning
When you close your eyes do you see
Do you envision any particular image or thought when you shut your eyes?
White Lorelei, she's a dream
A reference to a mythical siren who lures sailors to danger. She may seem magical, but is not as enchanting as she appears.
She's not half as magic as she seems
Lorelei is not as mystical or captivating as she may seem at first glance.
But she's so much fun to be with
Despite her flaws, there is something enjoyable or entertaining about being in Lorelei's company.
Places that you've never seen
Have you ever imagined traveling to unknown locations or experiencing new things in your mind?
Yet you've been there
Even though these places exist only in your imagination, you feel like you've actually been there before.
You've been walking on the edges of a dream
Your mind has been exploring the boundaries of your subconscious, where anything is possible and reality is blurred.
And you're so much fun to be with
You are an interesting and enjoyable person because of your vivid imagination and ability to dream.
Big surprise, you've been informed you're not asleep
You are being told that you are not dreaming and that what you are experiencing is real life.
Hard as you try you were never really meant to weep
Despite your efforts to avoid sadness and pain, it is a natural and unavoidable part of life that cannot be erased.
When you close your door with a sign
When you want to be alone and put up a sign indicating that you do not wish to be disturbed.
Do not disturd, are you disturbed to find
Ironically, you may find it unsettling or unsettling to realize that you are actually alone with your thoughts and feelings.
That it's just as magic as it feels
Despite the potential discomfort of solitude, there is still something enchanting and otherworldly about the experience.
And you're so much fun to be with
Your unique perspective and personality make you an enjoyable person to be around, even when you are alone.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Billy Mernit, Carly E. Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind