Deciding on a single

Hi Carly...being a humongous fan, I've always wondered "how much input does an artist have in the decision of which song to be released as a single?" I remember seeing you sing "Half A Chance" on Saturday Night Live before "Another Passenger" came out, then "It Keeps You Runnin'" became the single. I also remember it feeling like a long time before "Jesse" was released as the first single from "Come Upstairs", which made me think at the time a decision-struggle may have been going on about it. Bill Pressler - Kent, OH

Usually pretty much, unless like my duet with Janet, there is no calling me asking me anything at all about which mix I approve of: Missy Elliots or Puffy's.

But on my own albums, I have to support whatever is chosen so I have to make the decision, though it can be vetoed as it has been done many times. Mostly though, a first single is an obvious thing. And it's usually a beautiful thing to behold! Carly Simon - 12/30/01

Rock n' Roll in print

Dear Carly, After over 30 years of reading books and watching movies,I've decided that no one has gotten anything right about rock and roll. Except Cameron Crowe. Things like drugs and business take the focus away from the music which is what it's really all about. Nobody even gets the truck stop food right. I want to know if there's any book that you've read or movie that you've seen that accurately portrays what it's like to have music as your day job/career/passion. P.S. Rock on, sweetie, your sense of melody has never been rivaled. Michelle Ellis - Bowling Green, OH

One movie you might take a look at is: "Still Crazy". There is lots of it, though poking fun here and there, that is breathtakingly real. It's made by a Brit director named Brian (sorry forget his last name) and is about a band that gets back together after thirty years and many other jobs and families and lost loves and band problems. Definitely a movie that has a lot of familiar tone. Quite terrific and real. Carly Simon - 12/28/01

Love and Peace

Dear All,

I send you love and peace. Hugs from me and thanks for coming to this delightful website.

Love, Carly

Movie about a Torch singer

I received a wonderful present from a new friend -- a VHS of old Carly Simon interviews. I'd never seen most of them before! In one interview in particular (for Torch), you mention a movie that you were working on about a Torch singer and a contemporary singer with parallel lives. Apparently, you were not only going to write the contemporary music for it, but also going to star in it. This was the first time I'd ever heard about this move. What ever happened to it? It sounded perfect for you! Mary Beth - New Jersey

I've completely lost touch with that thought. Whatever I was thinking at the time deserves to be re-thought or proposed or something. It sounds wonderful. Carly Simon - 12/21/01

No Credit for Mick

Carly, I just bought the new surround sound release of No Secrets and am bowled over by the sound - it's fantastic! Thank you for singing "live" in my living room.

My question is: I've always wondered why Mick Jagger was never listed in the credits as contributing those great background vocals on You're So Vain. Is there a story behind the omission or is it just part of the mystery behind the song? Steven - Phoenix, AZ

I think we both just thought it was so obvious that it would be unnecessary to mention. Cooler like that, don't you know? Carly Simon - 12/19/01

New Children's Book?

Carly, last year you mentioned working on another children's book which you said was to be released in the near future. Any more info on that book? I love all your books and look forward to a new one. Dave De Vecchis - Providence, RI

Thank you Dave, I'm writing one. In fact tonight. I'm trying out an idea. The idea is a birthday present that a little boy has to get for his mommy. More later. Carly Simon - 12/17/01

Two Little Sisters

Dear Carly, Thanks so much for your involvement in this website. It's fantastic! I check in each day to see what latest question and answer are posted. Your comments never fail to give me some insight into a song or at the very least put a smile on my face.

My question is about your song, "Two Little Sisters" for the movie, "Marvin's Room." How did you come to be involved with the project? Were you given the opportunity to listen to Rachel Portman's score for the film prior to writing the song? Who's suggestion was it for Meryl Streep to sing harmony on the track? I love the song and was surprised that you didn't receive another Academy Award nomination for it. I could also make strong cases for your work on "Heartburn" and "This Is My Life." You waz robbed! Thanks for providing the soundtrack to my life. Dale Young - Munster, IN

I was asked by Harvey Weinstein at Miramax to write the song. There were three producers including DeNiro who came over to my house as I was writing it. He very non-verbally, told me what the dynamics of the song should be. He would put his hand up at a vertical level and when he wanted me to soften he would bring his hand down and imitate the expression in his face. In other words, make a 'getting smaller and quieter' face.

It was my idea to have Meryl sing. She and I had sung together at various other places (including on the soundtrack of "Postcards from the Edge"---never made it to the final footage). She has an exceptional voice and so much appeal, not to mention her ability to put a lyric across. Carly Simon - 12/15/01

Good Day Sunshine

A few years back I saw a commercial for Sun Chips, with the song "Here Comes The Sun", by George Harrison. Was that your voice, or was I just imagining that? Also, did you ever have an association with George as I know you have had with the others? Dave - Hackensack, New Jersey

For some reason and it might be the lateness of the hour (it's really pretty early) I thought it was "Good Day Sunshine". Yes, it was me, I do know all the Beatles. OR did in their time. I will be working with Paul on something quite soon that I"ll let you know about. Carly Simon - 12/12/01

Carly's Garden

Carly, I grow all my own herbs, fruit and vegetables & am now in the "autumn process" of bottling, drying and preserving. The bunches of lavender are my particular favorite & I adore gathering huge amounts of this deliciously fragrant plant! Please tell me if you grow anything like this in your own garden?

I live on the "doorstep" of the Yorkshire moorland coast and it is particularly lovely at this time of year. The rolling hills covered in purple heather have to be seen to be believed. Maybe you have heard of a place called Whitby in England (a quaint old seafaring port with ancient fishermen's cottages tumbling down to the sea....bliss!)? Sending love & best wishes from England Carly! Irene - Yorkshire, England

Now that sounds lovely. I grow lavender and lilies, heather and larkspur, sweet william, dahlias, all kinds of roses, grapes and apples, pears and apricots, mint, rosemary, thyme, parsley, basil, stock, flox, hydrangea, That's just for starters. I could bore lots of the city types. Carly Simon - 12/7/01

Concert In Central Park

Dear Carly - VH-1 has shown videos of you performing both Anticipation and That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be at the same concert in what appears to be 1971 or 1972. These two clips are among my very favorite of your performances - you look and sound great, and seem really comfortable in front of what looks like a huge crowd.

I've always been curious as to what this event was, whether you did a full set or just those two songs, and last but not least,what happened to the middle verse of Anticipation? Was it edited out of the video clip, or maybe just not written yet at that time? Thanks very much! Jack Noe - UK

I think you are referring to the clip from the Concert in Central Park sponsored by Shaffer Beer. It starred "The Beach Boys", and Tina Turner and I was just a little nobody new comer. Carly Simon - 12/5/01

Still Beautiful

Dear Carly: I was probably about 17 when I heard you on the radio for the first time. Obviously I love your music or I wouldn't be writing this. I'm 47 now, and I've always considered you to be a very beautiful lady. I'm consistently amazed at how you seem to defy the aging process and maintain both an inner and outer beauty that is just incredible! I wish I knew a better way to ask this question, but what is your secret? John Proctor - Dallas, TX

I don't know what to say, because I don't think I do anything special. I always watch what I eat and I don't smoke, drink liquor or coffee. Now doesn't that sound like a boring life? It is fairly, but the thing is...I don't do it for my looks. I do it because: 1. liquor gives me a migraine headace, 2: i quit smoking when I was diagnosed with cancer, (but boy did I used to love to do it) and 3: coffee makes me jittery.

In addition I use a huge amount of cream on my face and body, I don't run (running makes your face sag) and I smile a lot, which means that most of the lines I get are 'positive' lines. I also maintain my weight. I haven't lost or gained much over the years at all, so you avoid the slack that people who have gone up and down and up and down, unfortunately have. Boy! that was boring wasn't it? But maybe informative. Carly Simon - 12/1/01