"You're So Vain" is a famous song by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released in November 1972. The lyrics describe a self-absorbed lover, whose identity has been the subject of widespread speculation for decades. Carly Simon revealed that the song refers to three men, one of whom she has publicly named as the actor Warren Beatty. The song was a major hit, reaching No. 1 in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and has been recognized as one of the ultimate songs of the 1970s with multiple Grammy nominations. Simon wrote the song over the course of a year, inspired by a man she saw at a party with an air of vanity, twirling a scarf and admiring himself in a mirror. Mick Jagger contributed uncredited backing vocals to the song, although Simon confirmed the song is not about him. The references in the lyrics, such as going to Saratoga or viewing a solar eclipse in Nova Scotia, are more symbolic than literal, adding to the song's mystique. Carly Simon has also said the song is about multiple men, not a single individual. Warren Beatty is believed to be the subject of the second verse, while the rest remain unnamed or ambiguous. The song's memorable bass intro was played by Klaus Voormann, strings arranged by Simon, and it was produced by Richard Perry. The song's enduring popularity has made it a classic, often associated with themes of vanity and heartbreak in relationships.
