The Unspoken Truth: 7 Shocking Secrets Of Carly Simon And James Taylor’s Turbulent Marriage (Updated 2025)

The enduring, volatile romance between singer-songwriters Carly Simon and James Taylor defined the 1970s folk-rock era, creating some of the most beautiful and heartbreaking music of all time. Even today, in late 2025, their decade-long marriage remains a subject of intense fascination, fueled by Simon's candid memoirs and the raw emotion embedded in their iconic duets and solo hits.

Their union, which began with a whirlwind courtship and ended in a painful divorce, produced two talented children and a songbook that serves as a musical diary of their life together. While James Taylor continues to tour—with dates announced well into 2025—Carly Simon has offered the most recent updates, revealing that despite the decades, a deep, complicated love still exists, even as Taylor has not spoken to her in years.

Carly Simon and James Taylor: A Dual Biography and Profile

The story of Carly Simon and James Taylor is the ultimate tale of a musical power couple whose private lives became public art. They met in 1970 and were married in a small ceremony at Simon's New York City apartment on November 3, 1972.

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Carly Elisabeth Simon (The Siren)

• Born: June 25, 1943 (Age 82 as of 2025)
• Place of Birth: New York City, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Grammy Award winner, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2022), known for hits like "You're So Vain," "Anticipation," and "Nobody Does It Better."
• Net Worth: Estimated at $80 million.
• Marriages: James Taylor (1972–1983); James Hart (1987–2007).
• Children: Sally Taylor and Ben Taylor (with James Taylor).

James Vernon Taylor (The Troubadour)

• Born: March 12, 1948 (Age 77 as of 2025)
• Place of Birth: Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Six-time Grammy Award winner, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2000), known for classics like "Fire and Rain," "Carolina in My Mind," and "Sweet Baby James."
• Net Worth: Estimated at $80 million as of 2025.
• Marriages: Carly Simon (1972–1983); Kathryn Walker (1985–1995); Caroline Smedvig (2001–present).
• Children: Sally Taylor and Ben Taylor (with Carly Simon); Rufus and Henry (with Caroline Smedvig).

The 7 Secrets Behind the Music: Songs That Tell Their Story

The most enduring legacy of the Simon-Taylor marriage is the music itself. They were notorious for writing songs that were thinly veiled accounts of their relationship, creating a fascinating, painful, and beautiful musical dialogue. This practice has given fans a lifetime of LSI keywords and search intent based on curiosity: Who is that song about?

1. “You’re So Vain” is Not Entirely About James Taylor

The biggest mystery in music history is the subject of Carly Simon’s 1972 smash hit. While many believed the song was entirely about Taylor, Simon has confirmed that the second verse, which references a man who “flew your Learjet up to Nova Scotia,” is about a former lover, Warren Beatty. However, Simon has suggested that the song is a composite of three men, and the overall arrogant attitude described could easily have been inspired by the complexities of her relationship with Taylor at the time.

2. The Duets: "Mockingbird" and "Devoted to You" Were Their Love Language

Their joint recordings became instant classics, symbolizing their love to the world. Their cover of the Inez and Charlie Foxx song "Mockingbird" in 1974 was a massive hit. Later, their 1978 duet "Devoted to You" (originally by The Everly Brothers) was included on Simon’s album *Boys in the Trees*. These songs, filled with harmony, masked the growing turmoil with a sound of perfect, domestic bliss.

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3. Carly’s "The Right Thing To Do" Captured the Honeymoon Phase

Released shortly after their marriage, "The Right Thing To Do" (1972) is one of Simon’s most direct love songs to Taylor. The lyrics are a clear expression of her initial devotion and the feeling that marrying him was the absolute correct choice, a stark contrast to the bitterness that would follow.

4. James Taylor’s "There We Are" Was His Only Confirmed Love Song to Her

Despite their prolific songwriting, Carly Simon has stated that the 1977 song "There We Are" is the only one Taylor ever specifically wrote for her. The song is a tender, intimate reflection on their life together, with lyrics that confirmed their commitment: "You know I love you, Carly, I do love you." Simon admitted that hearing it on the radio still causes her to break down.

The Bitter End: Infidelity, Addiction, and the Decades of Silence

The marriage began to crumble under the weight of fame, the pressure of being a "royal couple" of folk-rock, and personal demons. Their split in 1983 was a devastating blow to the music community and to them personally.

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5. The Divorce Was Fueled by Addiction and Mutual Infidelity

In her 2015 memoir, *Boys in the Trees*, Simon was candid about the reasons for the divorce. She cited Taylor’s struggles with heroin addiction and infidelities on both sides as the core issues that fractured their union. The pressure of their public lives and the constant touring schedules created distance and opportunity for betrayal.

6. James Taylor’s "Her Town Too" Was a Post-Divorce Statement

Taylor’s 1981 song "Her Town Too" (a duet with J.D. Souther) is widely considered to be his musical response to the impending divorce. The song, which appeared on his album *Dad Loves His Work*, is a melancholy reflection on the division of shared friendships and social circles after a breakup. The lyrics mourn the loss of a shared life, suggesting that after the split, "it's her town too."

7. Carly Simon Still Loves Him, But James Taylor Has Not Spoken to Her in Years

Perhaps the most heartbreaking secret is the current state of their non-relationship. Despite the decades that have passed, Carly Simon has publicly stated that she still loves James Taylor "so much." However, she also revealed that he has not spoken to her in decades, a silence that underscores the depth of the pain and finality of their separation. This lack of contact is a poignant footnote to one of music's most passionate and destructive love affairs, confirming that sometimes, the most dramatic stories end not with a bang, but with a decades-long silence.

The Legacy: Children and Current Life

The two children of Carly Simon and James Taylor, Sally and Ben Taylor, have both followed their parents into the music industry, carrying on the family’s songwriting legacy.

Sally Taylor (born 1974) is a singer-songwriter and a visual artist, often collaborating with other musicians.

Ben Taylor (born 1977) is also a folk-rock musician who has released several albums, carrying the vocal and lyrical DNA of both his famous parents.

While the romantic partnership of Carly Simon and James Taylor ended over 40 years ago, their influence is continually revisited. With James Taylor's concert dates scheduled for 2025 and the constant analysis of their shared songbook, their story is not just a piece of history; it is a timeless narrative of love, betrayal, and the art it leaves behind.