You're So Vain
Carly Simon Lyrics


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(Son of a gun)

He walked into the party
Like you were walking on to a yacht
Your hat strategically dipped below one eye
Your scarf, it was apricot
You had one eye in the mirror
As you watched yourself Gavotte
And all the girls dreamed that they'd be your partner
They'd be your partner, and

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain (you're so vain)
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you?
Don't you?

Oh, you had me several years ago
When I was still quite naive
When you said that we made such a pretty pair
And that you would never leave
But you gave away the things you loved
And one of them was me
I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee
Clouds in my coffee, and

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain (you're so vain)
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you?
Don't you?
Don't you?

I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee
Clouds in my coffee, and

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain (you're so vain)
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you?
Don't you?

Well I hear you went up to Saratoga
And your horse, naturally, won
Then you flew your Learjet up to Nova Scotia
To see the total eclipse of the sun
Well, you're where you should be all the time
And when you're not, you're with some underworld spy
Or the wife of a close friend
Wife of a close friend, and

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain (so vain)
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you?
Don't you?
Don't you? Now

You're so vain
You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain




You probably think this song is about you
You're so vain

Overall Meaning

Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" is a direct attack on a man's ego, who Carly used to date. The song focuses on his excessive vanity, arrogance, and self-importance. In the first verse, Simon describes the man's entrance at a party, with a hat strategically placed over one eye and a scarf in apricot color. The line "you had one eye in the mirror" suggests that this man is so self-absorbed that he looks at himself even while socializing. The chorus is the most memorable part of the song, as Simon mocks the man's extreme vanity, saying that he thinks the song is about him. In the second verse, she reflects on their relationship and how he had made her believe that they were a perfect couple. However, that was not true, and he ended up leaving her, getting rid of everything he loved, including her. The final verse describes the man's lavish lifestyle, with his ability to travel on a Learjet and spend time with shady characters.


Line by Line Meaning

He walked into the party
He entered the gathering with nonchalance


Like you were walking on to a yacht
You appeared to think you were above everyone else


Your hat strategically dipped below one eye
Your hat was positioned in such a way that made you look mysterious and cool


Your scarf, it was apricot
You wore a brightly colored scarf to draw attention to yourself


You had one eye in the mirror
You couldn't resist checking yourself out


As you watched yourself Gavotte
You danced alone, absorbed in your own image


And all the girls dreamed that they'd be your partner
The girls admired you and were eager to be seen with you


They'd be your partner, and


You're so vain
You have an extremely high opinion of yourself


You probably think this song is about you
You assume that everything revolves around you


I'll bet you think this song is about you
You're convinced that this song is specifically directed at you


Don't you?
Isn't that what you believe?


Oh, you had me several years ago
You had my attention and admiration in the past


When I was still quite naive
When I was inexperienced and easily impressed


When you said that we made such a pretty pair
You flattered me by telling me that we looked good together


And that you would never leave
You made promises of loyalty that you failed to keep


But you gave away the things you loved
You sacrificed the things that mattered to you for your own interests


And one of them was me
One of the things you let go was our relationship


I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee
I had illusions and false hopes that were quickly dashed


Clouds in my coffee, and


Well I hear you went up to Saratoga
I heard that you went to an exclusive event


And your horse, naturally, won
Your horse won effortlessly, just like everything else in your life


Then you flew your Learjet up to Nova Scotia
You traveled to yet another exotic location on your private jet


To see the total eclipse of the sun
You took a special trip just to see a natural phenomenon


Well, you're where you should be all the time
You live a life of luxury and privilege


And when you're not, you're with some underworld spy
When you're not enjoying your extravagant lifestyle, you're engaged in dubious activities


Or the wife of a close friend
You're involved with someone you shouldn't be


Wife of a close friend, and


You're so vain
Your narcissism is overwhelming


You probably think this song is about you
You believe that everything in the world is centered on you


You're so vain (so vain)
Your vanity knows no bounds


I'll bet you think this song is about you
You're absolutely certain that this song pertains to you


Don't you? Now


You're so vain
You're so consumed with your own image


You probably think this song is about you
You're convinced that you're the subject of this song


You're so vain
Your vanity is insatiable




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Carly E. Simon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@andrewherbert8125

She makes me feel like a strong independent woman, and I am a man.

@joelillo09

Lmao

@idntknowuthatsmypurse

🤣🤣🤣

@andraandreea2257

🤣🤣🤣best comment

@satbobsmith7261

lolol

@larrytischler570

No. You are just indoctrinated.

197 More Replies...

@robertbeaudoin3755

Congrats to Carly Simon for being in the Class Of 2022 Rock 'N' Roll Hall Of Fame. Well deserved.

@johnboy32064

OMG! Are you serious?!?!? I can’t believe she hadn’t been inducted until this year.

@Tea20819

What’s more underrated is Ms Olivia was fucking killing the performance of You’re so vain which is so fucking good

@Pot_o_Tee

Nice !!! She deserves it

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