Carly Simon Turns 80: Revisit Her Top 10 Songs
With a career spanning almost six decades, Carly Simon is a true example of a musical artist with staying power. As she turns 80, take a look back at some of the greatest songs of her career.
You’re So Vain
Of course, we have to start out with Simon’s most well-known hit, which took the world by storm upon its release in 1972! The song reached number one in multiple countries and is considered one of the greatest songs of all time, according to Billboard. If you only know Carly Simon for just one thing, it’s definitely this!
Fun fact: Carly Simon performed “You’re So Vain” with Taylor Swift during Swift’s Red Tour in 2013!
2. Anticipation
Released in 1971, “Anticipation” has long been a commercial success. The song discusses complicated feelings in a relationship while holding a mellow, non-aggressive tone. Additionally, the song has been used in various commercials, TV shows, and movies throughout the years.
3. Nobody Does It Better
Part of the soundtrack for the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, this ballad showed a more romantic side of Simon. The song is Simon’s longest-charting and received a Grammy nomination at the 1978 awards show.
4. The Right Thing To Do
“The Right Thing to Do” was written and performed by Simon, and dedicated to then-husband and fellow singer, James Taylor. Simon said that this was one of the first songs she’d written that was directly written for James, though it certainly wasn’t the last. Simon wrote, sang, and played piano on this track.
5. Actress
Released in the early 2000s, Simon’s album The Bedroom Tapes was a bit different than her past work and gave you a deeper glimpse into her mind. “Actress” breaks down the cliches of dreaming of fame. At one point, Simon jokingly thanks the academy in a made-up acceptance speech! This is definitely one of the moments you get to see Simon’s comedic side and that she doesn’t take anything too seriously.
6. Coming Around Again
In the 80s, “Coming Around Again” brought more success to Simon! The song was an international hit and stays strong as one of her biggest hits to date. A music video was made for the song which includes childhood videos of Simon and her family.
7. Mockingbird (Feat. James Taylor)
While this song was originally by Inez and Charlie Foxx, Carly Simon and then-husband James Taylor covered the song in 1974. With the original song being so well-known, it was interesting to see how Simon and Taylor put their own twist on it!
8. Haven’t Got Time For the Pain
This track takes listeners on a journey starting slowly outlining a woman who’s experiencing sadness but finds someone that makes her extremely happy. Many people connect this song to romantic relationships, though it also has underlying themes of a mother’s love. The cover for this song’s album, Hotcakes, features a photo of Simon pregnant with her first child, Sally.
9. Jesse
Jesse is definitely a song that pulls in some of the same energy as “You’re So Vain.” The track outlines someone no longer wanting anything to do with a former lover, but giving in and finding their original happiness together. The progression of the song tells a strong story and is probably something that listeners have felt at least once in their life.
10. Why
This song is a bit more upbeat than most of Simon’s songs, and definitely brings in the 80s flair! Written and recorded as part of the soundtrack for the film Soup For One, the song didn’t do great commercially but seems to be a favorite of Carly Simon fans. Fun fact: The music video for “Why” features Simon’s daughter Sally, whom she was pregnant with on the Hotcakes album cover!