Carly Rae Jepsen’s Carly Simon Connection: Interview
(Damien Fry/Interscope Records)
Radio.com Interviews
Radio Stations
Videos
Who knew music’s two Carly’s had anything in common? Well, Carly Rae Jepsen did. In an interview with Radio.com, she told us about their name connection, their style similarities and a shared love.
“You know, I think there was a miscommunication with my mom and I,” Jepsen started. “Because at some point I believed that I was named after [Carly Simon]. And I had a conversation with [my mom] at lunch the other day. She was like, ‘No, no, no. I loved her, but I named you just purely because I liked the name Carly.’ But I liked believing that for a little while because I was like, ‘I’m named after a famous singer.’ Who also married James Taylor, whom I love.”
Taylor and Simon were married from 1972-83 and had two children together. Simon famously wrote many confessional songs about their rocky relationship. But it’s not just a love for Taylor AND a name that Jepsen shares with the “You’re So Vain” singer.
“In truth I think I’m inspired by her for many reasons,” she explained. “I think her music is amazing. I love the way she writes, which is very — almost to the point. There’s not a lot of — I want to say there’s not a lot of metaphor to it. I think it’s really relatable and honest. And I love her fashion sense.”
We couldn’t help noting that Jepsen has almost the very same haircut that Simon sported for most of the ’70s, with long bangs and long, gently wavy locks.
“I went through a phase when I was in Canada — actually about two years ago — when everything was inspired by Carly Simon’s style,” Jepsen admitted. “The whole long hippie beach hat and I actually did a whole photo shoot with the idea.”
Jepsen has stayed away from Simon’s hippie, boho look since she hit it big with “Call Me Maybe,” but she’s not afraid to take a page from Simon’s book and write direct, confessional songs. Her latest, “Take A Picture,” does just that.
Jepsen can presently be seen lending a hand to her friend and co-songwriter Bonnie McKee in the video for “American Girl.” She recently confirmed to Billboard that she has started working on her next album, but says it will be her “own kind of pop.”