another from Jeff Harris' blog (well the text - the video wouldn't play here so this version is live from Youtube) and another in the album's bought when they came out (that I am not exactly sure if it makes me cool or decidedly unhip and gauche by now?!) We were fascinated by James Taylor's then main squeeze and the fuss around this track was everywhere when it came out. Those of us who thought were 'in the know' KNEW that it was about Warren Beaty and not Mick because how could it be about Mick if he sang on it? (not that he wouldn't do that even if it was about him a double irony!?)
We loved her and we loved that album . . . . . she was a fox and could sing like an angel

On this day in music history: January 6, 1973 - “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 3 weeks. Written by Carly Simon, it is the biggest hit for the New York City born singer and songwriter. Working with producer Richard Perry (Nilsson, Ringo Starr, The Pointer Sisters), Simon relocates to London to record her third studio album “No Secrets” (which tops the Top 200 for 5 weeks on January 13, 1973) in the Fall of 1972. Entering the Hot 100 at #99 on December 2, 1972, it leaps to the top of the chart five weeks later. There is much speculation over the subject of Simon’s song about a self absorbed lover, leading the public and media to believe it is either Mick Jagger who sings background vocals on the song, musician Cat Stevens, actor Warren Beatty, or Simon’s former label boss David Geffen to name a few. Over the years, Simon remains close mouthed about the subject of the song, though claims that the name of the person is whispered backwards into the re-recorded version of “Vain”. In November of 2015 before publishing her memoir, Carly confirms that the second verse of the song is indeed about Warren Beatty, but has yet to reveal who else is being referred to. Carly Simon’s original recording is later sampled by Janet Jackson on the song “Son Of A Gun (Betcha Think This Song Is About You)” in 2001, which also features Simon on background vocals. It is also covered by numerous artists including Liza Minnelli, David Axelrod, Faster Pussycat, Jann Arden, Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs, and Marilyn Manson (Featuring Johnny Depp). Regarded as a quintessential 70’s pop classic, “Vain” is inducted in the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 2004. “You’re So Vain” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
thanks to the most excellent Jeff Harris' blog 'Behind The Grooves

Fortunately there was nothing vain about dear Carly