Family Album

I am 21 yrs old and I have been listening to your music since I was a baby (courtesy of my father, a big fan.) I know most of your songs by heart. I have also been following the career of your children and the rest of your family. I love everything I have heard from the Simon side and the Taylor side. The harmonies that you create together are magnificent.

Will there every be a complete family album? Maybe just you, Sally, and Ben? So much talent on one CD would be just extraordinary! Jaimie Ceppos - Raleigh, NC

There is no reason why Sally, Ben and I would not make music together on an album once we are all free of our boring obligations. Carly Simon 7/30/01

Write a Novel?

So many of your songs play out like a story in a really good novel. Libby and Hello Big Man come to mind. Have you ever considered writing short stories/novels? Kelly - Allentown, PA

I barely have the patience to feed my cat, let alone try and write a short story or a novel.

Now that Eurdora Welty seems to have died, there is room out there for a spectacular new short story writer. However, before the next one emerges, try Edna O'Brien. I can't think of anyone better. Carly Simon 7/28/01

Better Not Tell Her

Ever since I heard your collaboration with Janet Jackson on Son of a Gun, I have been unable to stop listening to your own music. I now have your box set, and my favorite song is Better Not Tell Her. I was only 17 when the single came out and now that I am 28 and listen to it over and over, I wonder if it is a true story about someone?

So often, it seems like a tribulation such as the one in this song, happens to people. Can you explain the storyline behind the song to me? Thanks for showing me what true music is about, I have at last found it with you. Kenneth McNamara - Las Cruces, NM

It's about a man with whom I was having an affair. Does that sound tawdry? Well, some actually thought it was. Try his wife for example. Carly Simon 7/24/01

Movie Music on CD?

I've been following your career since it's inception and I applaud all the chances you've taken and the growth as an artist that I've been witness to.

Any chance that you'll ever release all your musical compositions for movies or television onto one CD? I'm referring to the unreleased rare songs like All The Love In The World from the movie Torchlight or Something More from Love Child....and countless others that you've done.

Thank you so much for this wonderful privilege of being able to ask you a well thought out question. I met you once in person and blabbered on, using the word "love" quite frequently. M. Momperler - Palm Bay, FL

It is a well thought out question and I will have to think about it. It seems like a good idea, but do you know how hard it is to get record companies to give permission to do a compilation like that? Devilish. Devilish. Carly Simon 7/20/01

Boys In The Trees

One of my favorite songs of yours is "Boys in the Trees". I have always thought that perhaps it relates to a young girl's first adult realization that her own sexuality exists on a different and uneven playing field than that of the "boys" in her life. Would you mind terribly sharing some thoughts on that song and its meaning to you? Margaret Quinn - Oreland, PA

You're on the money. That's exactly what it's all about. The boys are in the trees which grow taller than the flowers (and live like a flower, while the boys grow in the trees). I used to live in a room and my bed was under the eaves. My feet outgrew the mattress, and my awareness grew out of the bed and out the window into my back yard where I couldn't help but notice some of those apple pickers. I yearned for something I didn't understand the rules of. I got hurt and have never been as open though I spend many of my hours trying to stay open enough to discover it all anew and without that fresh slap in the face. Carly Simon 7/17/01

Loves To Cook

I saw a photo of you once and you were preparing food at the Hot Tin Roof. Is cooking one of your passions? Mary - Bingham Farms, MI

I love to cook with all my heart. I love to chop garlic. I love to chop parsley. I love to chop onion with a match in my mouth. I'm not that crazy about chopping broccoli because of it's splintering off effect. I love to chop potatoes. Cooking is largely chopping. It's also very Zen. Then there is all the tasting, which I am extremely fond of. Adjusting etc. I've been told I am a good cook. It's one of my favorite compliments. Carly Simon 7/13/01

Haunting

Your song "Haunting" ("There's always someone haunting someone") is so incredibly beautiful & HAUNTING. All these years after it was written, I still get goose-bumps every time I hear it. It makes me think of unresolved romantic relationships I've had in my life. My question is, were you referring to romantic relationships when you wrote that song or just relationships in general? Nanette Gazlay - St. Bend, Oregon

I actually wrote the lyric as a letter. It was general yes, but specific too. Now if that isn't an unsatisfying answer, I don't know what is. Carly Simon 7/9/01

A Part Of Our Lives

I've been listening to you for so long, you feel like a friend, which is part of my question. How does it feel to know your songs become a part of other people's lives? That they are a bookmark of sorts to other people's experiences? Frank Smith - Los Angeles, CA

It makes me feel very good. The way a snow storm that everyone experiences is or some other point of reference that brings everyone together. That I could do that just a little bit, just a very little bit, makes me glad. Carly Simon 7/7/01

Musical Styles / Trends

During your career, there have been a few musical styles that you've adopted - disco in "Tranquilo" & "Spy," reggae in "Is It Love" and "Floundering" - that have been earmarks of pop music of their respective times. Do you consciously seek such trends, or do you feel that the styles subconsciously work their way into your music? Mark Wisniewski - Sinking Spring, PA

I guess they must just beg at my ear because I would never do anything because it was fashionable. There have been two or three occasions when a record co. executive has spun something on me that I have had a hard time saying 'no' to or reconciling with. But none of the songs you mentioned are in that category. I have always loved reggae and it's been a natural beat to be immersed by and in. Carly Simon 7/4/01