Performing for large crowds

Dear Carly, I've followed your career since the very beginning and someday I hope and pray to finally get the chance to hear you sing live. On that note, I've always wondered about your participation at Madison Square Gardens for the No Nukes concert. I still remember seeing the movie and reading the reviews - you were singled out as giving one of the most memorable and entertaining performances of everyone there.

Do you recall what force of nature allowed you to perform for such a huge crowd? PS - Sign me up for the candlelit tour! Randall B. - NYC

I know that it is a big dilemma: this problem of my singing for huge crowds now and then and somehow getting through it. I only know that I was supposed to do, or asked to do a solo and that I did NOT accept.

I hope this satisfies your quandry of whether to ask me to perform on your town's local village green or football stadium. We can discuss this further backstage at the superbowl after my naked solo version of Beethoven's ninth. Carly Simon - 1/31/02

For Old Times Sake

Thank you for taking the time and effort to appreciate your fans enough to interact with us. I was listening to "For Old Time's Sake" on the ride home from work today. I had not heard it in years. It brought back such powerful memories for me of a time, place, and lover from my past. Can you please shed some light on the circumstances or emotions that helped you create it.

Also, do you ever hear a song of yours that you have not heard in a long time and find yourself moved more than you expected to be or moved more now than when you recorded the song? Andrew Maze - Howell, NJ

Thank you and yes I do (find myself moved more than I had thought I would be) often it is unfavorably moved, but mostly not. Mostly I think to myself: who is that woman with a voice like a vibrating peach? Not always the same fruit every time, but anyway, I am happily surprised that it is me.

As far as "For Old Time's Sake", that is Jake Brackman's lyric. He is amazing that he can write as if reading my mind. When I got the lyric from him, I wrote a four/four version of the song which I recorded and discarded. It seemed too heavy for the subtle and yet unsentimental seductive plea. I remember reworking it in a waltz time and being relieved that the song could be saved and the budget allowed for it to be re-recorded. It's as if it was yesterday. That's what's so hard to come to grips with. Carly Simon - 1/29/02

Something Wonderful

Hello Ms. Simon, I absolutely love your voice and all of your music, even if I am only 18 years old. My question though is about a song you covered from the King and I, Something Wonderful. Your version of the song is absolutely gorgeous, I am curious as to what prompted you to remake this song. A hopeless fan of a young age. Paul Olson - St. Cloud, MN

I can't think of a better song than "Something Wonderful" from "The King and I". It is rare to find a lyric that better describes the way that a man's foibles get to a woman and how she is so willing to forgive because ..."then all at once he'll do something wonderful...he has a thousand dreams that won't come true. You know that he believes in them and that's enough for you."

It's heartbreaking and it gets to me every time I sing it. I can't tell you the effect those words have had on my relationships. Many tears have been shed because of that song. I'm glad you like it. Carly Simon - 1/18/02

Ever performed with an orchestra?

Carly, Have you ever performed with - or considered performing with - a symphony orchestra? Your melodies are so rich and so many of your stories are so poignant, I can only imagine all those instruments together collaborating with you and your songs. And may I be so selfish as to suggest the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for your first? I'll be in line for a front-row seat. Art Sinclair - Baltimore, MD

No, I have never performed with a symphony orchestra although admittedly, the idea is a wonderful one. It's more about just getting out on stage than who I get out on stage WITH.

I'm still experimenting with the idea of playing in the 'dark'. A theater or club that has no electric lights. Preferably a club. Maybe they could come up very slowly during the course of the show, but we would only have flashlights on stage (pocket ones at that) and a few hurricane lamps. I can either be seen or be heard, but not both at the same time. Call me neurotic? All right. Shoobie dooobie dooo. Carly Simon - 1/15/02

Currently working on

Dearest Carly, Can I just say how much your music moves me, I love it loud, especially in the car. Songs like 'Touched by the sun', 'Amity' and 'I'm an actress' make any journey a pleasure.

Much of your work appears to reflect your own experiences, therefore has the tone already been set for your next album? Do you have a pile of songs you have been working on, intermittently for example, for years which you just haven't been able to complete? And finally, have you ever traveled to Australia? Please keep the tunes coming! Adam Roach - Victoria, Australia

Dear Adam, Thank you for a real spirit booster on these days in January when the soul chilling winds lick at the doubts I am inside nursing, sometimes too comfortably. "The Bedroom Tapes" is now in my possession and I'm going to re-release it. I may add a song or two but as far as new songs, I've been writing a Disney movie score and that has taken up a good portion of the last year and a half. I'm about to start my second one.

This doesn't mean I won't put out a CD of the usual fare, but I haven't gotten the music together really. I wish I had. I will. Oh will it be fun. Carly Simon - 1/13/02

Video favorites

I really enjoyed the video for "Touched By The Sun," which I remember seeing when it was a featured clip on VH-1 for a week right when LNS was released. It is probably my favorite video of yours. Which one is your favorite? What were the best and worst experiences you've had making videos? Do you enjoy making them in general? (I realize this is more than one question; if you don't want to answer all of them, I'll be pleased to find out the answer to whichever one you pick!) Thanks. Daniel Jason - New York, NY

Thank you for remembering "Touched By The Sun". It was one of my favorites if not my favorite one. A man, Ken Levy, at Arista had a lot to do with that one. He was my hero at Arista. The head of the art department for many years when Clive was there. Ken developed that video and I just remember standing out in a warehouse in Montaulk Long Island freezing my ass off being rained on by the coldest artificial rain ever made.

Also my friend and great guitarist and songwriter Eric Bazilain played the part of the 'guy' in the motel room. Funny to think back on the 'makings' of the videos.

One classic one for me was "My New Boyfriend" which was made on the Vineyard with Russ Kunkel. He and I were Cleopatra and Anthony or some nonspecific Egyptian Royals on Menemsha Sound. It was largely a hoot and completely fun.


"Better Not Tell Her" was major because we had Spanish dancers which you just can't beat, can you? Carly Simon - 1/10/02

Truth in lyrics

Dear Carly, I remember seeing an interview with you (right around the time you did that concert on Martha's Vineyard) and you said that you couldn't write your autobiography because you'd have to talk about other peoples lives. Since then, I've always been curious to know if you find yourself editing the lyrics you write - to protect the innocent? Or do your friends assume a song is about them, when it isn't? Irelis - Coral Gables, FL

No, to answer your question, a song is usually about exactly the person who thinks it's about them. I find. Even though I edit and take poetic license, stretch the metaphor and suffuse the simile, in the end, still and all, it usually ends up being about 'them'. Carly Simon - 1/8/02

Where does talent come from?

Carly, I have been a fan since I was 13 and discovered the 'No Secrets' and 'Hotcakes' 8-track tapes where I was babysitting. I love everything about your music. I myself, have no musical talent. My 15 year old daughter (the middle child) sings, plays trumpet and piano. We never suggested that she do any of these things, she just kind of came into it on her own and she is really into these things.

Where do you think musical talent comes from? Inborn or environmental? Thanks, Sue Gwise - Dexter, NY

Talent comes from the same place as black stripes on white fur. It remains a mystery to me. It's only learning to tap into it once you have located it that has some formula. I myself have to use discipline and pain. About half and half. Carly Simon - 1/5/02

Sensory Abilities

Your music is intelligent and really resonates with the fundamentals of life and the human condition. I've listened to you during the best of times and worst of times and appreciated the ability of your music to positively impact me and those around me. Thank you Carly for your unqualified present to anyone that's taken the time to listen to your songs and for adding a little grace to the world.

I'm trying to understand why you seem to be able to get through. So here is a theory and my question. You've likely heard that everyone has a dominant sense which can be auditory, or visual, or tactile/feelings focused. Which are you? Based on your music, you seem to have a pretty good handle on all three, but I'm going to guess that you're primarily visually oriented, despite your occupation. Am I right? Tom - Wilton,CT

Dear Tom, I don't know to what degree I have all those three sensory abilities available to me. I know that I have been told that I have them in an unhealthy excess.

One thing I have noticed is that I can't translate the visual very well into words. Not the way poets can. I'm more of a philosopher crafting moonlight. I wish it were not that way. In fact, I think I'll make it a New Years resolution to practice my hand at exercising more in that direction. It may not be a talent, though too it may just be a latent one. Carly Simon - 1/2/02