<P> The distinctive bass guitar intro is played by Klaus Voormann and the strings were arranged by Simon and orchestrated by Paul Buckmaster . Simon plays piano on the track . </P> <P> Before the song became a hit single in 1972, Simon told an interviewer that the song was about "men," not a specific "man". </P> <P> In 1983, she said it is not about Mick Jagger, who contributed uncredited backing vocals to the song . In a 1993 book, Angie Bowie claimed to be the "wife of a close friend" mentioned in "You're So Vain", and that Jagger, for a time, had been "obsessed" with her . Simon made another comment about the subject's identity as a guest artist on Janet Jackson's 2001 single, "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)", which sampled "You're So Vain". Simon said about the song, "The apricot scarf was worn by Nick (Delbanco). Nothing in the words referred to Mick ." </P> <P> In a 2007 interview Warren Beatty said, "Let's be honest . That song was about me ." Simon had said in 1983 that Beatty "certainly thought it was about him--he called me and said thanks for the song ..." In an interview for the 1978 / 1982 version of The History of Rock & Roll radio series, producer Richard Perry acknowledges that Simon was essentially referring to Beatty while also referencing other men in her life . </P>

Who sang background on you're so vain