Don't Wrap It Up

Hi Carly: Your music has always been my biggest inspiration, especially where life's struggles are concerned. Simply playing one of your CDs has always been able to either brighten my day or give me the strength (or "umph") I need to get through. I've always wondered what inspired "Don't Wrap It Up?" Great song and one that makes me radiate with confidence and feel like I can take on the world. Love, Sue - Fairborn, OH

Dear Sue,
It's the oddest question, because my inspiration had very little to do with anything OTHER than an old New Yorker Cartoon (then in a book of Charles Adams') showing a baby, just born, behind a glass nursery in a hospital. The nurse is holding the baby up for the father to see. He's got a hat on and looks typically tuned in and out at the same time. The caption reads: "Don't wrap it up, I'll eat it here".
Very spooky and Charles Adamsy. I love it. Of course it can mean a whole lot of different things and I took it in a less 'black comedic' direction into the realms of love and romance.

Thanks for asking that. It's funny to think back on that cartoon. Try and find it. You will have to laugh.
Love Carly - 11/29/03

How can we help John Forte'?

How can I help in your fight against mandatory drug sentencing? I've recently reconnected with John after having lost touch with him over his last few years in New York. And although not frequently, we are now back in regular contact via mail and I feel defenseless against the "powers that be" with regards to his incarceration. I would like to offer you my support in some tangible way to augment my already unfaltering faith in and written support of John (who, by the way, doesn't yet know I'm writing to you!). Thanks for your time. Sincerely, Alisha Beverly - Miami, FL

Carly,

I stumbled across your John Forte page on the web and was shocked to hear of the specific circumstances he's in. The news of the case was vague by the time we received it downunder. Coincidentally, I saw a film today which dealt with the Rockefeller Laws and started to research the absurdity that they are. I was moved by your description of John's plight - what does the future hold - are you still campaigning, and what steps can any of us on the other side of the world take to help the situation? Love, Luke - Melbourne, Australia

Dear Alisha, Luke and all the others,

I wish he was allowed a computer in prison. He can only receive mail and is about to be transferred to another "camp" where maybe he WILL be allowed to have a computer. It seems dubious though. Although maybe he'll have a tape recorder to put down the songs he's writing.

Here's what to do:
Write letters to the Senators on the Senatorial Judicial commitee. There is a list of about twenty. You can find them on line. Write them and tell them that you are appalled by the facts. Items including: Why isn't the United States a forward thinking nation, as you would be proud to be, like Canada, Australia and some members of Western Europe, adopting policies based on a public health model, as opposed to a criminal justice model?

Find out the facts about the mandatory minimums. Find out how many judges have quit because they think it's so unfair. About how the average sentence for a first time-non violent drug offender is longer than the average sentence for rape, child molestation, bank robbery or man-slaughter.

There are so many of these shocking and non-democratic truths about the draconian mandatory minimums. I've started having some success with of all people, Orrin Hatch. Write him. If we win over the Republicans and they get behind it, the Democrats are not going to fight what they largely already believe in. Write Teddy Kennedy (who wants proof that we are all in accord) too. Write them all and tell them you are more and more horrified with what you have found out. Write about it in your town and your school newspapers. Write letters to the editors. The United States is ready to take this on. I met with Bob Dole and his team in Washington a few months ago. They were surprisingly sympathetic. It's time to overthrow these undeniably worthless laws.

Please fight!!!! Fight for Forte and fight for all of those incarcerated under the laws that were put in place by Nixon and reached their peak of ruthlessness during Reagan and George Sr. This may the most important thing I ever contribute my energies to. Happy Thanksgiving to all. Love Carly - 11/26/03 (John Forte' Official Website)

Christmas Suggestion

Dear Carly,

First thing, I bought your 2003 version of "Christmas is Almost Here," on Saturday - your musical attention and respect for lyric once again amazes me. Christmas music is often a genre of music that unfortunately most artists "just record" and never really give much attention to it. However, your Christmas CD stands up and has wings to soar above the stacks of unmemorable efforts by others. It is a CD I can listen whether it is Christmas time or not.

In your CD, you put out there that you are up for suggestions for your next Christmas CD...I immediately had a reaction/suggestion. For years now I have often listened to your song, "Let the River Run," and kept feeling a certain tie/ a spiritual-gospel moment in that song & then one year I was helping my DJ friend with some remixes and was playing with some Christmas songs for a holiday mix and of course I had to incorporate one of my favorite holiday songs, "Go Tell it on the Mountain." Dolly Parton does a version with a black choir and it really rocks. All of a sudden on one of the hooks I just heard "Let the River Run," Anyway- I know it sounds crazy- but I think that would be a powerful and spiritual song for you to record and I definately think fusing both of those songs would be amazing. That's my suggestion for your next Christmas effort- Go Tell It on The Mountain/Let the River Run.

Thank you for the Christmas/or should I say "spiritual," CD. When can we get your next installment in this seasonal genre???? Russell Jackson - San Diego, CA

Dear Russell,
What a wonderful idea!!! The next Christmas installment may come out next year.

We'll see, certainly I appreciate the love you recognized that I gave the songs. Don Was was also responsible (nice that a 'Was' was a 'was'.) Also Burt and Andreas. I am very pleased that "Forgive" turned out so well and what is on the album is only thirty minutes from the writing of it. Love, Carly - 11/13/03

White Christmas

Dear Carly,

I just picked up your new Christmas CD and instantly fell in love with your version of White Christmas (my favorite Christmas song of all time). From Willie Nelson to Burt Bacharach seems like such a large leap of guest vocalists but it works! How did you happen to record with Burt? Alfred Braun - Miami, FL

Dear Alfred,

I met Burt a long time ago and had the pleasure of writing a song with him. When I was in L.A. in April, my friend Carole Bayer Sager had the idea of my doing a duet of White Christmas with him (her ex-husband). She has the tenacity of a mother with a project and she MADE it happen. I am truly sure it wouldn't have if it had been left to my own devices. I would have been too intimidated to make the call.
We recorded it at Carole's house and Burt played on a piano that he used to share with Carole. I'm glad you like the version. I am proud. Love, Carly - 11/7/03

Just Like You Do

Dear Carly,

Since I was eleven years old (now I'm twenty-one) I've been a fan of yours. It's always a real pleasure when I listen to your songs at any time, mainly at night, when my dreams rise.

Based on it, do you use dreams as inspiration to your songs? And what's the main idea contained in the song Just Like You Do? I believe it's a good one. Gabriel Neves - Porto Alegre, Brazil

Dear Gabriele,

Thank you so much for your far away letter. I love to hear from people who are positively affected by lyrics. The emotion of the song was geared to be a comfort to a friend of mine who was bummed out and afraid. In trying to say we're all in this ship of fools together, I came up with the song. It's not very original, but hey, it's mine. With love, Carly Simon - 11/4/03