Carly Simon's new song explores lingering questions about love for James Taylor

Carly Simon is revisiting the complexities of her past relationship with ex-husband James Taylor in her new song, "Maybe I Never Loved You." The track, featured on her upcoming album "Comes in Waves," marks her first collection of original songs in 18 years and delves into ambiguous reflections on their decades-old marriage.

Released this Friday, "Comes in Waves" contains 12 deeply personal tracks written and recorded by the artist at her Martha's Vineyard home. In "Maybe I Never Loved You," Simon sings, "Maybe I never loved you / But anyway, I thought I did." The lyrics appear to directly reference her marriage to Taylor, noting, "I married you, we had a child / That counts for something."

Simon and Taylor were a prominent couple in American music from 1972 to 1983, sharing two children, Sally and Ben. Their public image masked a private life fraught with conflict, addiction, and infidelity. However, Simon's new song does not present a straightforward condemnation of her former husband. Instead, she places herself at the center of a decades-long doubt.

"Maybe I never loved you / Yes, and maybe I did," she sings, returning the question: "And maybe you never loved me / Though God knows you said you did." This uncertainty sharpens the song's impact, as Simon seems less interested in establishing a definitive version of events and more in exploring the lingering questions. She even recalls moments when Taylor was present for her, singing, "You came for me in those moments when I hid / I'm so glad you did."

The song's conclusion offers further revelation. After questioning her own love and his reciprocation, Simon sings, "Maybe it's best to bury what we were already sick of." Yet, she immediately leaves an opening that defies any sense of final closure: "Maybe I never loved you / Maybe."

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