Tune du Jour: “You’re So Vain” – Carly Simon
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Marilyn Manson feat. Johnny Depp vs. Faster Pussycat vs. 40 Thieves
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF
CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog
In 2025, Carly Simon finally revealed that the second verse of the song is about Warren Beatty. She was coy about who the other verses were about saying only that they were about different men. We all know Mick Jagger is one. But it begs the question … does anyone really give a shit at this time?
Anyway, not a great song but it came up in rotation and I found some pretty interesting covers so ,..
The Original
Carly Simon:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Marilyn Manson feat. Johnny Depp vs. Faster Pussycat vs. 40 Thieves
Marilyn Manson feat. Johnny Depp:
Faster Pussycat:
40 Thieves:
SPACE
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. It is your solemn responsibility to decide which cover song prevails. In other words … Which Side Are You On!??!
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 
I went with 40 Thieves. I’d never heard of them, nor did I think their cover was so great. But at least I could listen to it all the way through. Manson and Pussycat, poseurs that they are, are more concerned with image and pretension, rather than music. I gave ’em each one verse and one chorus before moving on.
I never cared for Carly Simon’s music. This song came out at a time when I was listening to the radio quite a bit. I didn’t like it at first, but when it got way too much airplay, I backlashed against it, changing the station when it would come on.
There was way too much speculation about the subject(s) of the song. I remember thinking “Heck, I don’t like the song or the artist, who flippin’ cares?” Many years later there was some sort of contest where the winner would be told by Carly who she had in mind. She sure got a lot of mileage from that over the years.
I didn’t like the music of the covers. I voted for Faster Pussycat because of the video, which looked like an over-the-top comic parody performed by haters of metal bent on ridicule.
Here goes my first with the new Cover Me Impressed – Carly Simon was an early crush of mine–but not really fan musically though this was a song I enjoyed. One of my favorite lyrics is “You’re where you should be all the time . . .” don’t know why, always stuck with me, but I digress – I picked Faster Pussycat’s version because I liked the singers voice and the little guitar solo in the middle (my kid has reprogrammed me to listen to guitars more intently). I liked the way the solo goes back to the melody so effortlessly–also got a kick out of the girl chorus at the end. liked sound of 40 thieves in the background but vocals almost same as Carly so why? I almost went with Manson becuase of the bass throughout the song –but the rest of his version sounds too much like a Bowie version and he doesn’t have the right to even think the name Bowie. Any way glad to see all my friends names popping up and that Dubbs restarted this—Dubbs I will get my kid involved more. He might have some good suggestions to you for bands covering other songs. Lately he’s been looking for heavier versions of songs he likes and he’s found quite a few “interesting” interpretations
Ta ta for now – The Bug
What are clouds in your coffee?
This song has been overplayed 1,000 times over but as a jilted lover, revenge song, I have to admit that it is pretty good.
Marilyn Manson does what Marilyn Manson does. The problem is that I don’t like what Marilyn Manson does.
I can’t remember how I came across the Faster Pussycat version but it was literally decades ago.
40 Thieves’ celtic interpretations always interest and entertain me.
Faster Pussycat. They’ve got the coolest name and their version rocks!
Faster Pussycat- Back in ‘78 former cop Eddie Money put the uniform on again for a magazine photo shoot. Steven Tyler was present and found himself so smitten that a torrid union was formed resulting in an unholy offspring subsequently raised on 80s hair metal and old H.R. Pufnstuf tapes. Marilyn Manson brought some entertainment value. The video was well edited and distracted enough from the musical deficiencies. Nice to see Dita Von Teese. Better than Jeebus Money-Tyler but not frightening, revolutionary or worthwhile. Never heard of 40 Thieves but they benefited from a low bar. Could have been The Oyster Band with a guest vocalist. I voted for them.
Not much of a fan of Carly’s catalog, but I never minded You’re So Vain. It’s catchy, and just self-aware enough to work. Marilyn Manson’s version, on the other hand, is pure spectacle. It’s the same song, just filtered through a vat of distortion, growling, and fake menace. The man is so physically repellent it’s almost an accomplishment. Just glimpsing him is enough to turn me heterosexual.
Then there’s Faster Pussycat, who managed to deliver Manson Lite: a little less menace, slightly more musicianship, and still no reason for existing.
I chose 40 Thieves, who did a relatively straightforward take — well-sung, well-arranged, and refreshingly free of leather pants or eyeliner. It’s got a hint of Celtic swing that suits the song better than all that industrial preening. Still, none of them really nail it.