Carly Simon

Carly Simon’s honeyed alto and piercing insights about love helped define soft rock during the late 20th century. Born in 1943 in New York City, Simon began her singing career in the ’60s in a duo with her sister Lucy, and she released her self-titled solo debut in 1971. Among her subsequent albums were Anticipation, featuring the longing title track, and No Secrets, which included “You’re So Vain”—an ego-puncturing blind item that would go on to become one of pop’s greatest mysteries. Over the ’70s and ’80s, Simon scored numerous hits, including the James Bond theme “Nobody Does It Better” and the swaying “Coming Around Again.” Her pairing of gentle textures and hard-hitting lyrics went on to influence artists like Taylor Swift and Tori Amos, and in the 21st century she continued her legacy by collaborating with acts such as Janet Jackson and Gorillaz.