She was the voice of my youthful longing, the one who helped me feel like I wasn’t going insane up in my bedroom with the ivy covered windows and the exposed radiator. I loved Carly. I loved her wide smile on album covers. I loved her hippy purses and floppy hats. I loved that she married James Taylor and mourned when they got divorced.
I haven’t thought of her in a long time. The only music I listen to lately is something fast enough to keep me running. But I noticed today when I was checking the rundown that sweet Carly turns 65 today. And I stopped. I want to think of her, to remember what she gave me 30 years ago, and what she gives me still.
She gave me Boys in the Trees . . . “Do you go to them or do you let them come to you? Do you stand in back afraid that you’ll intrude? Deny yourself and hope someone will see . . .” And she gave me Coming Around Again. . . “I know nothing stays the same, but if you`re willing to play the game, it`s coming around again. So don`t mind if I fall apart
there`s more room in a broken heart . . .” And she gave me the anthem of all of us who had our hearts broken by HIM . . . “You`re so vain, you probably think this song is about you. You`re so vain. I`ll bet you think this song is about you
Don`t you? Don`t You?”
I miss my sister. I miss singing to Carly with her. I miss the way the willow trees would rub up against my sister’s window. I miss reading The Secret Garden and dreaming about the boy down the street. But I don’t miss Carly any more. She’s right here.
In my ipod.
You’ve inspired me, Amanda. I’m heading over to get some Carly for my ipod!
I love childhood memories, when things were simple and pure. I also love Carly Simon – her music is just so…honest.
I must say I do love the “your so vain” song. It’s so fun to sing to as well. Miss ya.
Wow Amanda … well written! We’re huge Carly Simon fans in our home. 7 or 8 years ago my husband picked up a Carly Simon DVD and now our kids know all her songs too. Our oldest are singing them to their kids. She’ll live forever in our family!
I heard you speak at a TOFW a couple of years ago in Vegas. You’re majorly fun. Every New Years Eve now as a family we each write negative things we’ve been hanging on to for the past year, go outside, light a fire, burn them up – and in Amanda-style, we “bless and release”. So , you’re also well known in our family.
I have an inspirational blog and would love to offer one of your enlightening books as a giveaway. Please check out the blog and let me know if you’re interested. Of course, we’d want it autographed
oxoxox
Denalee
Now that’s the way I’ve always heard it should be…Love Carly Simon songs