Carly Simon's 'You're So Vain' Is About...

For 38 years, jilted lovers everywhere have been singing along to “You’re So Vain” and wondering exactly who is so vain—and they may finally have an answer. Speculation has long centered on Carly Simon’s famous exes, including Warren Beatty, Kris Kristofferson, Mick Jagger, Cat Stevens, or James Taylor. But the song, as it turns out, isn’t about a former paramour—or even about a straight guy. The subject is openly gay record producer David Geffen.

Simon whispers the name “David” backward in a remake of the song featured on her latest album, Never Been Gone, note the Sun and the Mail. Simon is believed to have been angry at Geffen, then the head of her record label, for promoting rival singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell over her. For a creepy-sounding version of the song played backward, revealing David’s name, click here.
(More Warren Beatty stories.)