Carly Simon Shares What It Was Like Being Married to James Taylor | The Big Interview 

You probably think this interview is about you.

It's more a conversation than an interview. She asks him questions too. She's very special.

As a kid, Carly was my guitar teacher. I feel very fortunate to have known her

From all accounts, Carly Simon is a magical, wonderful human being. She has the remarkable ability to talk about painful subjects without seeming bitter. She embodies compassion and empathy.

Carly is always so honest. How can you not love that???!!!

Amazing conversation. Such a high level of intimacy - and yet they've invited us into the conversation. And let us not forget that, when this was recorded, Carly was 78 . . . and Dan was 90! How many younger people long for this kind of dialog and wind up TikTok-ing about food or eyelashes instead. Thanks for posting this!

Carly relates so well about her relationship with James Taylor. The sense of messiness, misunderstanding, confusion, needs/desires, failures, stubbornness, regrets. It’s very much too bad addictions interfered with their lives, undoubtedly their children’s lives as well. And time passes, people move on and that time together is history. They both gave us such wonderful music, together and separately, grateful for that.

Wow . I never realised that Carly Simon was such a coherent , communicative person . This interview serves her well .

Loving an addict destroys your life. My heart goes out to this Special Empath.

Wasn't she the one who sang "Suffering was the only thing that made me feel I was alive"? A great line that says so much.

I loved someone that I couldn't live with but couldn't live without. I used to sing You're So vain to him all the time. We were together for forty years and he passed away three years ago. You sure do learn to forgive a lot when someone is sick. I miss him every day. I sincerely feel for you, Ms. Carly.

Carly is a sweetheart. I’ve talked to her on two different occasions and she is a real gem.

In case anyone is wondering if she's really this humble & genuine...I can confirm she is. I live on MV and sold her a faucet for her claw foot tub...she actually told me her name when I was entering her info into computer. I was like...I know Carly, I know :)

I met this lovely woman! My bucket list wish came true! It was 2007 in Miami after a small benefit concert. I had flown from California thinking this was my last chance to see her in concert, as I had been always too busy and she rarely performed. I hung around till after the benefit party was over and when she was leaving, she greeted me with a hug! And a signature on her set list AND a picture posed with her, taken by my daughter who had come with me. Carly is truly a warm and gracious person. And her music has blessed so many people through the years. ❤️

She is still such a lovely, extremly beautiful and charismatic lady

Dan Rather is the best interviewer! I miss seeing more of him. How sad that Carly and James produced two children yet they do not speak now. I would hope they could find more ways to to not only connect with Carly but with their children as well by at least going to his son Ben's house and be bridge builders for their posterity.

I loved hearing Carly and James singing together. Both of them had such unusually beautiful voices that blended so well. It’s a shame their marriage didn’t work out, and they no longer speak to each other.

Outstandingly honest in the sight of the entire world. This woman is not ordinary. She would be an extraordinary friend I believe, if one functions well in such intensity.

I love this interview .Such warmth and realness from both of them. Rare to see an interviewer so kind and real.

her singing still sends shivers through me. absolutely awesome voice!

Such a bittersweet interview. She's so gracious and warm...very sad that she and JT don't have any kind of relationship now. They share children and grandchildren, which should be enough to at least have some friendly contact with each other at the very least. I recently watched some video of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in the 1980s, playing in the pool with their first grandchild. They were obviously delighted with the little one, and it was also obvious that the two of them still had a great deal of affection for one another, despite being married to other people.

It is extremely difficult to have a relationship with a person who has addictions that you don't have. They are beholden to their addiction, it always comes first, so you will not be able to get closer to them than their desired and enveloping substances.

Beautiful, thoughtfulness, astute, poetic Carly. Forever a class act.

Dan Rather is such an amazing interviewer! He summarizes in a way that gently leads the subject to delve deeper in whatever direction they wish. Amazing skill that!

For me, Carly Simon was a rare musician/singer/songwriter who captured my curiosity and captivated my heart. I was about 12-13 when I began listening to her on the radio and watching her televised performances. I became smitten and then totally lovestruck by her physical and artistic beauty which I tucked away as wonderful childhood memories. After watching the full interview, I felt those memories come alive with a renewed sense of warmth and affection. Thank you Carly! 💖🌹💖

I totally get that about her still loving him. Someone asked me once whether I still loved my ex. I said, every day of my life. Can't live with him, can't live without him

I read her book a while back and saw this complete interview. Heart on her sleeve like me. I remember when they married, it was a big deal. When her marriage was failing with James, she wrote about the moment she was to confront his mistress at his other apartment. My heart broke for her and I know exactly how it feels to love someone who doesn't love you back the same and cheats. (All the things they should give you go to someone else). I can relate to Carly and having that feeling of needing to be connected to people in that way. She even felt bad for Joni later after James left her and was with Carly. I have been with two men who are alcoholics and they are impossible to be with. I am myself a recovered alcoholic for well over 3 decades now. But it still doesn't make the journey with an alcoholic any easier, knowing all about being there. It is sad that he won't relent and just get over it and visit her and their son.

I feel for Carly Simon, she is so brutally honest in front of so many. I have listened and loved her for over 50 years.

What a perfectly frank interview by Carly Simon. I am really amazed and admire her sincerity and honesty about her relationship with James Taylor.

Great interview. Carly seems to be both an empath and an enabler. Being with an addict and fighting your own demons with drugs is so destructive. You must separate in order to save yourselves. That doesn't mean they don't love each other it simply means that love wasn't enough.

She’s very honest and not afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve.

Carly Simon is the loveliest, intelligent wonderful woman who’s also a great musician - love you CS 🤩

I loved their music at the same time, thought it was so cool they were married in the '70s. I didn't think she ever stopped loving JT, which is wonderful too. She's still a beautiful person.

I could see his distant “ coldness” in the relationship in an at home interview many years ago. She sang a duet with him an included him so much and he barely looked up at her except maybe once ( probably for the camera) . That’s the problem with narcissism.

I have not seen ANY of her interviews. I believe that this is a very short segment of the interview but man, this woman is so amazing, and pure😘

She seems so open, honest, genuine, and articulate. And she's still so beautiful. What a remarkable woman.

I’ve always had the world of respect for her.

I love, Carly. I appreciate her transparency… amazing woman.

She seems like a lovely person. I catch her energy in this interview and think if I were to ever meet her I’d feel comfortable straight away. Love her music without a doubt.

She comes across as extremely open and honest person and does not appear at all guarded or reserved. Love her singing voice. I can almost hear, “you are so vain”.

I really wish for them to make peace and have a good relationship…they are both wonderful ❤️❤️

I truly admire both James Taylor and Carly Simon for both of their contributions to the music industry. Whatever personal issues occured between them in their marriage is basically in the past.

She’s quite articulate and expresses her emotional needs well and coupled with her honesty this makes her an extremely likeable person.

She is a lovely person. You can feel her warmth through the screen. And so very talented.

I have always liked JT's music, and I gained a great deal of respect for him as a person when my brother told me about meeting him. My brother was a chef, and he prepared the meal for JT's band when they were doing a concert in my brother's city. After the meal was served, JT came back to the kitchen and personally thanked each of the kitchen crew for a great dinner. That a notable star would take the time to thank people that are never recognized says something great about who that person is.

Dan surprised me here by how well he conducted this interview. He very gracefully invited her to "go there" despite not really wanting to at first. I was very surprised hearing at the end of this clip that she still loves him... and that was painful or me to see and hear. I have not read any biographical books on her or Taylor. But somehow I thought she'd gone on to remarry. They are both music gods in my book. And these kinds of creative couples, I mean real musicians and songwriters, not today's hip hop formulaic crap, just often meet this fate where tangled spirits and energies end up not meshing. Musically, James Taylor's music to me goes way back in time, is timebound, nostalgiac, and for me never provokes new thoughts or emotions; just recalling how I experienced them when initially released. . I still throw an edge to Carly because her songs were ambitious, mysterious, always so beautifully produced and from a new point of view. So for me more interesting musically. I also feel that her catalogue is less timebound by era, and I can re-experience her songs as fresh, as though recorded last week.

Marrying a rock star with addiction issues … what could go wrong 🙄

Dan Rather is such a treasure in intimate interviews. He has many gifts, but this is one of his most magical strengths.

For whatever reason when the interviewer asked Carly if she still loved James and she said absolutely it just gave me a feel good moment. It's nice to hear after all they've been through that she still loves him....

I miss Dan Rather interviews. The quite calm to allow the guest to full express themselves. It is great seeing him.

James doesn't visit Ben or Sally but posts pics with his third family often. How sad, he's a fool.

A friend of mine once saw Simon & Taylor come into a bar in Mendocino. They had been picked up by the bar owner. The two were hitchhiking. In the bar the couple offered to play in exchange for a place to stay and a meal. The owner didn’t recognize them and said he’d have to hear them play first to see if they were any good. The two walked out. My friend informed her boss who had just walked out. The look on his face was priceless by her account.

I've always loved Carly. Like her, I pull people in with my energy. Like her I married and had sons with a man who couldn't get a mature hold on his feelings. Unfortunately, it's the kids who suffer most from these situations. Peace to all of these bruised hearts.💞

What an evolved lovely soul she is. I wish her all the peace and love in the world. Thank you for the soundtracks and tunes throughout the years. I think I speak for so many generations when I say Carly Simon is a NATIONAL TREASURE!!

Dan from our Dads greatest generation. Carly and she was iconic and her voice, music and lyrics are unbeatable. Thank you

We women place such exhaustive expectations onto our fragile dreams that when they don't come to fruition our delicate egos shatter like broken crystal. 🌹

She’s great. Wish her all the happiness in the world.

Sweet Baby James lives in Massachussettes and he has changed his life for the better and Carly you are a beautiful soul whom had to travel your journey to learn about self love! My sister who lives there says he is very kind. Gratitude for the two great legands of their time that are still living and able to sing.... I pray that you two heal your Karmic connections...... Stay safe always!!! True fan!!!

I just love this Lady! I am 71 yrs old, and if she passes on before me I will be so sad.I hope you live a long, healthy, and happy life, Carly.

What a touching, sincere testimony! She's looking great, by the way. Both are amazing artists and human beings.Thank you so much for this powerful, meaningful upload.

I just adore Carly Simon, her voice is beautiful and she is still gorgeous, this was a short but nice interview.💗

What an excellent interview: respectful, considered, intriguing, and thoughtful. :)

Twenty five years from now, people will sadly not take time to learn about the true musical heroes of the past, or even care to recognize their names. I know many in music history from 100 years back, but society moves too swiftly now for the depth of human connection and understanding with which Carly and Dan are speaking here. This interview is epic.

Old soul contract's - Great music together - He never deserved her nor did he win. Carly is forever a grateful creative soul.. God Bless Her 💚💌

Using Drugs and alcohol (heavily) are equal to having an affair outside the marriage- the addiction is #1 when the spouse should be. It's pain unlike any other pain- what's worse? the addict couldn't care less-they are numb!!! I feel for Carly, I do...did she know of his addictions before marriage? Curious. Carly & James are wonderful artists regardless. Addiction is a real killer in every sense of the word- kills everything.

Dan Rather is....a Great Listener/ interviewer.... PERIOD!!!!!!

I have always loved listening to this woman speak! So heartfelt, so sincere, and so real.

Watched the whole interview on AXS TV; great interview! Her music, her voice…so iconic to a certain time, and definitely music I grew up on. Thank you to Dan Rather, who’s interviews like this I love, and to Carly Simon, for her honesty and the music. Was sad to hear her and James never found a peaceful place with each other.

It’s heart-breaking that James and Carly no longer speak.

Carly and James, two complex very talented people/artists.

What a great interview. Thanks to both for making it happen.

I absolutely understand this kind of love. True love never dies, it really doesn't, my true love has been gone 20 years this year and I love him just as much as I did the day he died💕 Its's beautiful but so unfair because I have never been able to move on, I will never be with someone else.

Would love to hang out with her and just chat even for like 20 minutes. Amazing lyricist and fantastic voice.

Thank you so much for making this interview happen ❤️. I just loved watching Dan Rather doing what he does best along with the amazing Ms. Simon. Please have Dan interview more of these legends before they slip away.

Knowing she still loves him just breaks my heart because she’s such a kind loving person! That saddens me that he doesn’t even visit his own son Ben. I saw a concert with James and and Ben.

I saw a video of James singing "You Can Close Your Eyes" with Carly watching and listening in their cottage on the Vineyard. I could see by Carly watching him how greatly she admires James. Since then I have immediately fell in love with that song. Such a beautiful and yet heartwrenchinley sad song from my understanding of the lyrics.

So many can relate to this interview, myself included, having been in the same situation When you are an empath involved with someone who has a addiction, the addiction becomes their relationship as they withdraw from intimacy. You try to make it work, but once outside the relationship, realize it's their story, and you can't fix it, or expect they can change. James is a gifted musician, always have loved Carlys music. She is very honest, and has a beautiful.soul that shines through.

His music-- speaks for him --Behind every door there will be a person there-- Standing in the dark with there own -- thoughts

How gracious and kind is this entire interview on both parts??!!!!! Love Carly Simon, love her music and her son Ben Taylor!

I met her too, during her Boys In The Trees book tour. She was so engaging and kind….so many of us there had named our daughters for her, and she seemed genuinely touched by that. It was a dream come true for me to finally be able to tell her how much her music meant to me. She still loves James and she always will.

She has aged so well. She's gorgeous on the inside and out. ❤️

I always fasten my seatbelt before these Dan Rather interviews, knowing they will tread on deep emotional ground in the most intimate way. While they might ride a fine line between journalism and psychotherapy, one thing’s for sure. I will emerge loving and admiring the interviewee, and interviewer even more.

I really love the way Carly asks questions of Rather, the interviewer. I don't think I've ever heard a famous person being interviewed who asks questions back to the interviewer. Makes for a very honest, and close conversation, almost like with friends. Carly comes across as quite lovable if you ask me.

She reminds me of one of my aunts. When I was 10-11 years old when her song, "That's the Way I Always Heard it Would Be", came out was easy for me to visualize in my mind. It made me feel so melancholy, but I love it every time I hear it. I am a book nerd. When I found out her father was the Simon of Simon and Schuster it was more fascinating for me as a child.

She shouldn't apologize for wanting emotional intimacy from her husband.

She's very bighearted and generous. Honest and warm. Someone who is cold aloof and hostile doesn't belong in her life. Her talent is no less that Taylor's. She doesn't need to put him on a pedestal if she isn't willing to do the same for herself. Obviously he doesn't want behind closed doors known which is why he stays away from her. Putting the past in the past where it belongs is beneficial for both.

Excellent interview. Carly is beautifully articulate and kind. “The angry man needs a hungry woman.” Wow.

Carly is a beautiful Human Being, through and through. God bless her soul and keep her safe and well.

That was great. Dan Rather did a great job of drawing her out, and listening to her. I'd like to be a good listener like that.

she seems really honest.

Deeply soulful lyrics, Taylor and Simon have penned and expressed musically, and the ability to see yourself and those close around you and eloquently articulate it screams of something: These are evolved human beings.

Dan and Carly have a connection here. Nice interview, heartfelt.

The Big Interview is such a great show. We need more downloads please!!

I worked at the movie studio that released Working Girl. Carly Simon did the theme song for that movie. Anyway, I was talking to her on the phone one day and I said, "You know, that theme song is just so great. I love it!" And she goes, "Really??" lol Like a little kid who was really shocked. I had to laugh and I said that of course it was and it fit the movie perfectly--that it's an anthem. She was so humble and so genuinely appreciative. I'll always love her.

I’m glad I watched this. I was impressed by Carly’s openness and candor. One tends to think that being married to or dating a musician would be so wonderful but it’s really a tough life that not many couples are able to navigate successfully. Adding drugs into the mix certainly doesn’t help. She seems like a nice lady and pretty grounded.

What a lady , i saw her in the 90’s my friend took me , and i was blown away how good she sounded live her voice was amazing. I hope one day her and James could actually talk and heal they both are such great talents

I met James Taylor in the early '70's and it was never possible to "get to know" Taylor or really connect with him... He was a very self-centered, cold, closed, angry, depressed and addicted person who could not connect with another person. I've been married to one for more than 40 years - without the drugs or alcohol - but it's still the same. It's soul crushing and an emotional killer that can never change.

I understand her feelings. Women feel emotions in a different way. I know how drugs or alcohol can destroy relations. Love is difficult it’s plain to see she still loves him and I believe James also, but he doesn’t want to face it. Life goes on, he’s married another woman, no drugs , no alcohol, but real love is always deep down inside of you.

Such a sweet interview with two great people...thank you for sharing your story!

Still amazing after all these years. Just listening to her music made me think I knew her on a personal level. Seeing this makes me understand : Hell it's still there. One Great Lady. She once said that she would never kick herself out of bed. Well that makes two of us.