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You're So Vain: The Best Lyrics Ever

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"You're So Vain" by Carly Simon

Carly Simon's lyrics for "You're So Vain" are clever, witty and personal, a mockery of a self-centered former lover whose identity has been a subject of debate for over 30 years.

The Top Five Reasons "You're So Vain" has the Best Lyrics Ever

The perfect irony of the hook.
This part: 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.
The mystery of who played the part of the jerk.
Dick Ebersol's $50,000 winning bid at a charity auction to learn the identity of said jerk from Carly Simon herself.
Mick Jagger's background vocals. Some people believe that the song is about Jagger and that he was fooled into singing it.

Download "You're So Vain" from iTunes

"You're So Vain" by Carly Simon
The original version by Carly Simon
Price: $0.99

"You're So Vain by Brooke White on American Idol
The American Idol performance from February 27, 2008
Price: $0.99

"You're So Vain" lyrics

You walked into the party
Like you were walking onto 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
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you?

You had me several years ago
When I was still quite naive
Well 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
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you?

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

Well I hear you went up to Saratoga
And your horse naturally won
Then you flew your Lear jet 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
I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? Don't you?

Links that prove the point

Carly Simon Official Website - You're So Vain: A collection of quotes and snippets of interviews in which Carly Simon hints at the subject of the song and addresses some of the theories that have been debated.
"You're So Vain" on Wikipedia: The Wikipedia article lists some of the suspects for the song's subject and a dozen covers and adaptations of the song.
SongMeanings | lyrics | Carly Simon - You're So Vain: Get a sample of the debate that has gone on for over 30 years by reading the comments posted on this page. The guesses and their justifications include the obvious (Warren Beatty), the dubious (It must be Mick Jagger, because this song has the line "I had some dreams that were clouds in my coffee" and the Rolling Stones' "Angie" has the line "when will those clouds disappear."), and the hilariously misinformed ("i heard it is about Dave Coulier, uncle joey on full house.").

American Idol Finalist Brooke White

American Idol finalist Brooke White sang "You're So Vain" on the show on February 27, 2008.

Brooke White -"You're so Vain": by paulXray | video info

869 ratings | 431,628 views

curated content from YouTube

"You're So Vain" on CD

Kate Hudson Sings You're So Vain

Here's a video clip of Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey singing a version of "You're So Vain" in the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

Vain: by Bunnylein | video info

8 ratings | 2,046 views

curated content from YouTube

Your turn: Am I right?

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Mar 22, 2011 @ 10:34 pm | delete

Thanks so much. I liked your Squidoo.

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rerics Feb 16, 2010 @ 1:52 am | delete

One of my favorite songs, and one of the best of the '70s. Are you aware that Carly Simon has a guest vocal on "Should I Pray" from the Trashcan Sinatras soon to be released album "In The Music"? www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz_xKcxTbR0, www.squidoo.com/trashcansinatras

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jembie Sep 21, 2008 @ 9:03 am | delete

I agree they are the best lyrics ever. ROFL 5* for a brill Ever lens :D

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eccles1 Jun 3, 2008 @ 3:08 pm | delete

everybody has a touch of this until thank goodness the mirrow starts to look old like a raisin then being vain simply disappears believe me!

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SteveAtkinson Apr 12, 2008 @ 9:48 am | delete

I've known a few people in the past that even they knew the song wasn't about them, claimed that it fit them to a T.
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