You're So Vain (1973) 5/5/20

After 47 years, the mystery is still pretty much intact: Carly Simon still hasn't revealed exactly who she's singing about in today's “Great Song of the '70s.”

Over the years, she has claimed that “You're So Vain” is about 3 different men...and the only two names she has confirmed are actor Warren Beatty, who is definitely one of them...and her ex-husband James Taylor, who is definitely NOT.

Instead, Carly has offered only a few vague clues, including 3 letters that supposedly appear in the name of ONE of the men: A, E and R.

Many people believe it's Mick Jagger, who sang backup on the song, but Carly says it's not. There are several friends of Mick's, however, who say they know it IS.

Other names that have been mentioned include record producer David Geffen, ex-boyfriend Daniel Armstrong, Cat Stevens, and David Bowie...but Carly's not talking—at least not publicly.

In private, however, it's another story. According to both Howard Stern and Taylor Swift, Carly has told THEM who the men are, but they're sworn to secrecy.

What has NEVER been a mystery is how big the song was on the charts: In 1973, it was Top 10 in 10 countries, including #1 in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the US, where it reached the top of Billboard's Hot 100 AND Adult Contemporary charts!“

"You're So Vain” is #92 on Billboard's “Greatest Songs of All-Time” list...and the Recording Industry of America (RIAA) has it at #216 on their list of the “Greatest Songs of the 20th Century!”

Even if we never find out who joined Warren Beatty on Carly's list of male vanity, the song was...and will remain...a “Great Song of the '70s!”