Who Is “You’re So Vain” About? The Secret Carly Simon Kept for 40 Years

Some songs get famous for their melody. This one also got famous for a question: who is it about?

Carly Simon released it in late 1972, and within a few weeks it was No. 1 in the US. The song paints a man so in love with himself that he’s convinced even this song is about him. And that kicked off a guessing game that lasted decades: half the world tried to figure out who he was.

There was no shortage of suspects. The name that came up most was actor Warren Beatty, who back then was dating half of show business—Simon herself included. Another usual suspect was Mick Jagger, and the rumor only grew because Jagger does, in fact, sing backing vocals on the record. For years, Simon gave the same answer with the same smile: it’s not who you think, or it’s not just one man.

It wasn’t until 2015 that Simon gave up part of the truth: she confirmed that the second verse is about Warren Beatty. And the rest of the song? Still unclaimed. She has said there are two other men in there, and for now that secret is staying with her.

More than fifty years later, the song is still playing—often, here on Leveling Radio—and the question is still open. Maybe that’s the fun of it: we all know someone who fits the bill perfectly.