Songs of Renown: Carly Simon Anticipation

Carly Simon's song Anticipation appeared on her second album Anticipation released in 1971.The song was recorded in London in 1970.

Carly Simon wrote the song prior to meeting Cat Stevens. In Stephen Davis's book More Rooms in a Broken Heart: The True Adventures of Carly Simon the story behind the song is recounted.

At the time Carly Simon was opening act for Cat Stevens concerts in Boston and New York and Simon had invited Stevens to her New York apartment. Simon, who suffered from anxiety and stage fright was so nervous that she picked up a guitar and wrote the song in 15 minutes.

Simon recounts:

"I was so excited that day, waiting for Cat Stevens.. I was aglow, a-glimmer and trying to get myself to clam down" .

An acoustic version of the song appears on her 2009 CD Never Been Gone.

Anticipation 
Carly Simon

We can never know about the days to come
But we think about them anyway
And I wonder if I'm really with you now
Or just chasing after some finer day.

Anticipation, anticipation
Is making me late
Is keeping me waiting

And I tell you how easy it feels to be with you
And how right your arms feel around me.
But I, I rehearsed those words just late last night
When I was thinking about how right tonight might be.


Anticipation, anticipation
Is making me late
Is keeping me waiting

And tomorrow we might not be together
I'm no prophet, Lord I don't know nature's way
So I'll try to see into your eyes right now
And stay right here, 'cause these are the good old days.
These are the good old days.
And stay right here, 'cause these are the good old days.
These are the good old days.
These are the good old days.
These are the good old days.
These are the good old days