EDGARTOWN, Mass. - It's been a musical mystery for more than 30 years, but an NBC television executive will learn exactly who Carly Simon (news) is singing about in her 1972 hit "You're So Vain."

And it only cost him $50,000. Dick Ebersol, the president of NBC sports, put up the money at a charity auction to raise funds for various charities on Martha's Vineyard.


He won a lunch at Simon's Massachusetts home, where she'll perform the song and then reveal its subject. In return, he must swear to tell no one else. The auction winner was revealed on Tuesday's "Today Show."


Over the years, speculation has centered on Warren Beatty (news), who Simon once dated; Mick Jagger (news), who sang back-up on the song; and James Taylor (news), Simon's ex-husband.

i always thought it was about several men. why do people think it is about one specific guy?

I thought that song was about ME.

Anxiety said:

I thought it was about you, too! Nah, seriously, I always thought it was about James Taylor.

stymie said:

Yep Anxiety it is about you,my man! (haha)
Hmmm the rumour i heard the most back when that song
came out-pointed to that old casanova=don=ja-juan
himself Warren Beatty!

That dude could teach prince some techniques!
Man...the list of conquests he had reads like a who's who's!

he ended up his single days with madonna!
what a playa..what a playa!

mick? nah...he ain't in the team picture for ego about his
looks!

I can't decide if I think it's a silly idea to auction off a secret like this, or if it's a good idea because the money goes to charity...either way, I kind of like the fact that nobody really knows...it makes the point of the song even more bitchy, that that real life subject of the song will never know for sure if the song's about him, nyah nyah nyah!

if i were warren beatty i would have bid on it to find out...

that rumor is going to dog him till he dies...and ya know its gotta be eating at him...shoot, it would me..."is it? no!! do i care? nooo...why do i want to know? hmmm...is this giving me a complex? but im bigger then this..im famous, dammitt!! im warren beatty!! but, it could be about me...hmmm."