Hopes For The Future

Going back to (almost) the beginning, "That's the way I've always heard it should be," - so full of disillusionment and hopelessness - was the perfect song for representing one of the great "themes" of that time period.

What would you consider the great "theme" of this point in history, both for you personally and for people in general? What do you "hope" for and what do you get angry about. Tom Goodman - Chicago

The great hope is education. Teachers have to get the respect they deserve. Greater salaries and more respect. Dishonesty and Public Relations Media stars are the demons. Low quality taken for high quality. Carly Simon 8/30/01

Spanish Recordings?

Carly - I read somewhere that you are part Spanish (I believe it was in Vanity Fair or Lear Magazine; please correct me if I'm wrong). It doesn't surprise me: your music is quite passionate and you have an exotic flare. Have you every thought about recording a song in Spanish? That would be such a treat! Diana Castro - New York City

I am one quarter Spanish. It involves Cuba and Vanencia (or so I'm told) . There is very little known about my beloved Spanish Grandmother's past. Whenever I asked, she always said: "When I die, you will find nothing, but nothing". She was more or less correct.

I would love to record something in Castilian. Or as they pronounce it: "Cathtilian". I adore flamenco. The real kind. From Seville. I have twenty-seven tapes of Flamenco singers sitting at tables and tapping the tables with their hands and singing the most passionate, extraordinary songs. These toothless men who are old and hobbled, but with the richest and deepest most sonorous tones. Carly Simon 8/26/01

Singers as idols

You have mentioned that you idolized Odetta when you were young and, I believe, that you passed out when you met her as a young singer starting out. Who would be your "idol" now and would they have a similar impact on you, even though you're a star in your own right? Mary Beth - New Jersey

There are so many singers I idolize. Let me think a bit more on that one. Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Marc Cohn, Jimmy Webb, I love both the smooth and the weepy and the clunky. I love Ray Charles and I love Bill Withers. Let me think more. Carly Simon 8/18/01

Songs your children like best?

Dearest Carly, My companion Tom and I worship the ground you float above. Our question for you is - Of all the songs you have recorded, which ones do Ben and Sally consider their favorites? By the way, saw your video at Janets show in St. Louis recently - you go girl! Robert Birkey - Champaign Il.

Sally's and Ben's favorites as of tonight's asking are: "Orpheus" and "Scar" (Ben) and I don't know what Sally's favorite is tonight, but she sings "Actress". Actually Ben now says it's "Whatever Became of Her". Carly Simon 8/15/01

Like To Listen?

Hi Carly - Listening to each of your albums takes me back to a certain place & time in my life, as I'm sure it does you. Do you listen to your albums often? If so, do you enjoy reminiscing about what inspired you to write the songs, or do you scrutinize them? Linda - Jefferson Twp., NJ

I often listen unexpectedly as when I hear a song on a radio (usually the hits). I generally am critical. Most of the time thinking: "It's over produced....the vocal should be higher in the mix....why didn't I change that word the way I meant to" that kind of thing. But sometimes, I'm quite amazed that it's as good as it is. I'm proud. Damn proud of some things I've done. Carly Simon 8/13/01

Favorite Concert

I thoroughly enjoyed your 1995 Riverbend, Ohio concert & hope that I'll have the opportunity to hear you live again sometime. Out of all of the concerts you've given during your career, what one concert meant the most to you & what tour was your favorite? What is the most unusual thing that has happened during one of your concerts? Sue - Ohio

Favorite concert? Maybe the one that closed the '95 tour. In San Francisco. I may not be thinking totally clearly, but the Livestock concert was pretty fine too. They were within the same two weeks. Carly Simon 8/10/01

Vinyl or CD?

Let's say that you've checked into the most lavish of spas...and your every wish is their command. When you decide to listen to your favorite music and you're offered the following option - Vinyl or CD? Which one would it be? Vicki H. - Madison, WI

Vinyl. Even though it's scratchy when not wiped clean every day, it's got the depth that CDs don't and also it never does that techno sounding skip skip that I hate. I prefer a good old analog 'skip'. Carly Simon 8/7/01

Letters Never Sent

Letters Never Sent remains one of my favorite albums from your catalogue. You worked with a diverse range of artists and musicians on the album. I was wondering how these working relationships came about, in particular Dave Stewart and Taj Mahal (whose music you have introduced me to).

Is it as straightforward as calling them or do some of the collaborations result from mutual contacts or being "in the right place at the right time?" Damien - London, UK

Dave Stewart was in the studio doing something else at the time with my friend, Teese Gohl. He, Dave, asked me to do something on his album: be the female voice in a fight between a married couple. I asked him to play on "Half Way Round the World".

Taj has always been my favorite artist in so many areas. I asked that he give me the award, when I was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame. That was a weird thing. He never really learned the words to "You're so Vain" which is the song he was supposed to sing. It may have been there (at the award ceremony) that I asked him to play on the CD. Often you just call the artist if you know them, but chance plays a big part. Thanks for the compliment Damien. Carly Simon 8/3/01