Christmas Carols

Dear Carly,
I have been listening to you since I was in grade school, I'm now 38, and I have always been fascinated by the legend of the 1974 Christmas caroling you did with James, Linda Ronstadt, and Joni Mitchell. Could you indulge me with a few details? Thanks for years of enjoyment! Lance Pillstrom - Tulsa, OK

Dear Lance,
It was one of those things that was blown out of proportion. Basically it was a gathering at James' and my house in L.A. James, Joni, Linda and myself started singing carols with others who were there (and you would be more able to fill me in on who they were than I) and we decided to go on over to the Troubadour and sing them there. It was impulsive and the kind of thing that should be done more. It was lots of fun and exuberant and if there is any more legend to it than that, I would love to know. It could be that there was and I"m not remembering it. Love, Carly - 5/31/02

Touched By The Sun (French version)

Hi Carly, it's a great pleasure for me to ask you a question. I live in the south of France and you are my favourite American singer for a long time. Do you know french singers?
A singer, Etienne Daho sings a french version of Touched By The Sun, did you know that?; and in a song, twenty years ago France Gall was singing that you were one of her favourite singers. Will you sing one day in France ? Thank you very much for your songs. Véronique Berrebi - Saint Gaudens

I am so pleased to have a French fan!! Yes, I know Etienne Daho and think the world of him. I had the good fortune to meet him when I was in France about ten years ago. I have heard his version of "Touched by the Sun" and am fascinated by the interpretation.

I have never performed in Europe or anywhere in the world except America. That is not because I am a chauvinist, it is because I am a bit agoraphobic which means I am more like Emily Dickenson than the man who flew around the world in eighty days. I used to live in the South of France for six months once way back when. I lived in the Alps Maritimes (Chateauneuf de Grasse). Bon Nuit. Carly

How Tall Are You ?

Hi Carly: I have been a fan for over twenty years and I think you are the greatest. I would like to ask you a question that I'm not sure that anyone has asked.

Can you tell me how tall you are? I have heard people say anywhere from 5'11" to 6'3"? Thanks very much and take care. Steve O'Donnell - Stoneham, MA.

I am five foot ten and a half inches. I wish I was five eleven. It would be so rounded out and almost six feet but not quite and yet so much taller than five foot ten and a half. Maybe I'll shrink to five foot ten, but not for a few years anyway. As long as I take the calcium. Carly Simon - 5/21/02

Cat Stevens

Dear Carly,
Thank you so much for many years of wonderful, thought provoking, music. I've grown up with you and feel like I "almost" know you (though I'm sure that's not true!) My question concerns Cat Stevens. He was also a huge part of my teenage years, along with you, James and Joni. I've heard that you dated him and wrote "Anticipation" about waiting for him to show up for a date. I'm wondering if you remained friends after you dated and what your favorite Cat Stevens song is. Did you ever write another song about him? And have you written a song for your husband, Jim Hart? Thank you so much. Keep the songs coming!! Love, Brenda Ellis - Huntington Beach, CA

I wrote Anticipation for Steve. He wrote "Sweet Scarlett" for me. I love many of his songs. I think the one I love most is "How Can I Tell You?" "Sad Lisa" is great too. What else did you ask? Love Carly - 5/18/02

Musicians on Another Passenger

Hi Carly,
How did the members of the L.A.4 come to play on "Another Passenger"? I couldn't believe it when I first read the credits, all of my favourite musicians in the same place at the same time and recorded for posterity. I read Bud Shank doesn't play flute at all anymore so it's even more of a treat in hindsight. Some of the best musicians in your country are on your albums and it's a credit to you as a writer and a musician. Thankyou for all that you've shared and continue to share with the rest of us all around the world. with love, Liz Webb - Australia

I honestly don't remember how they came to play. But isn't it lovely that they did? Ted Templeman knew a whole lot of different musicians that I didn't and so the tributaries from his set of friends and artists led to more and more. Little Feat prominent as they were. Van Dyke Parks and on and on. Love Carly - 5/14/2002

Write to John Forte

Note to all:
John doesn't have access to email. Carly asks that fans of his new album (I, John) write to: johnforte@carlysimon.com.

All the letters will be bundled together into one nice package that she will send to him the old fashioned way (US mail). Thanks !

Been There, Done That

Dear Carly,

I am seriously addicted to John Forte's new CD. Since most of it (surprisingly enough) are slower ballad-like songs, I'm puzzled about how you came to sing on the only "hard rock" song on I, John . And are the lyrics you sing yours, or did he write them for you? Thanks for all the years of beautiful music! Sherry Ann - St. Pete, FL

Dear Writer inner,
John pretty much wrote the song and I came in at the end and added the lyrics that I sang. I love the album. Every song on it has it's own personality. Didn't you know I was a hard rock singer? Where have you been? Where have I been?

By the way, give a copy of John's album to everyone you love. It really is a special one and has something on there for everyone. I hope you've read the ordeal that he's going through. If I posted an address I wonder if anyone would like to write to him? Love Carly - 5/10/02

Carly's cars

Dear Carly,
I am 12 years old and I absolutely love your music. I have "No Secrets" on CD (possibly the best album ever made). Your music is just so inspirational and I always listen to it. I'm very into cars and I was wandering, what kind of car do you drive and what has been your favorite car to ever drive? Hope to hear back from you soon, Cameron W. - Grapevine, Texas

Dear Cameron W.
Well, I'm a pretty awful driver. I've never felt comfortable in a car or a plane. I love boats and trains. Strange isn't it? I think it's in the hard wiring of an individual. However, that being said, I used to own a checker cab painted white (shared with my ex husband) that I loved to drive. If I thought I deserved it (if I was a better driver) I would have a Citroen which is a French car. I would have one of the ones that was being made around 1975. They had very springy seats (suspension) and were ugly in a beautiful way. Love Carly - 5/8/2002

Musical Directions

Hi Carly, My question is the different directions and sound each of your albums have taken. Each is very different from the one before, you don't seem to follow your success with the same formula, and instead seem to go in a totally different direction, I bet it drove the studio execs crazy wanting you to stick with the same sound.

My question is was it intentional or do your albums stem from the mood you are in while recording? And what if any difference does the producer add to the sound and direction of an album. Kelly Albers - Ogden, Utah

Boy do you have it right. I have never been a favorite with the record companies. Mood, yes, but influence or age or age of my kids and their music and what they've been listening to. Always the influence of other artists.

Now, my Christmas album that I'm making with Don Was is something totally different. I made it in a hotel room in Feb. of this year and it's not only unplugged, it's all instruments leaking onto each other and on to my vocal mike. All vocals one take only---live. It's the best thing I've ever done and probably will sell no copies, but I love it and need to be completely UNproduced.
Love C - 5/7/2002

Private (LNS)

I have been a Carly fan for years largely because your music never gets old. I find myself rediscovering treasures. My current find is "Private" on Letters Never Sent. Your voice and guitar perfectly convey that restrained passion that a secret demands. You managed small bursts in-between the whispers that make the feelings come alive. Can you share a story about the inspiration or recording? Thanks for the great music!! ! Garry - Sewell,NJ

It was one of my stultifying illicit affairs. Stultifying only in the claustrophobic sense that you will never escape the lack of oxygen beneath the sheets. For me to reveal which would be seriously uncool, but suffice to say, it was BAD. I was BAD and I was BEAUTIFUL!!!! (I'm supposed to be immitating "Film Noir") Love Carly Carly Simon - 5/3/02

Cow Town

I am another one of your "longtime" fans...one of my favorite albums is Another Passenger..I just pulled that out of the archives - the price is still on there - a whopping $4.99 for that one! Anyway, I have always loved the song "Cow Town" and was wondering where that inspiration came from, it always seemed crazy enough to be a true story!! Keep on singing - can't wait for the Christmas Album to be available! Sally - Grafton, WI

So strange. I was playing "Cow Town" for my son, Ben, the other night. He and his girlfriend, Bridge, had never heard it. It's about a very wealthy family from Houston who are art dealers. It's kind of biographical. I think Simone Swann is based loosely on this French woman who packed up all her perfumes to come to Houston and live on a Buffalo Bayou (starin' at the drillin' rigs). Thanks for asking. Carly Simon - 5/1/02