Since the opening lines of Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" reference a yacht and an apricot-colored scarf, we'd always clung to the silly dream that its narcissistic mystery man was Charles Nelson Reilly. And he still just might be, despite reports to the contrary.

Last week UK tabloid The Sun alleged that the target of Simon's ire was another iconic homo: David Geffen. (Over the years, fans have speculated that the 1973 Number One hit was inspired by Kris Kristofferson, Cat Stevens, Warren Beatty, and "Vain" backing vocalist Mick Jagger, all of whom were romantically linked with Simon; Simon has long claimed the character was a composite, and definitely not James Taylor.)

According to The Sun, "Vain" was prompted by Simon's frustration that the powerful record executive lavished more attention on rival Joni Mitchell. But this weekend, the singer e-mailed Roger Friedman at Showbiz411.com and said the tabs were wrong: "What a riot! Nothing to do with David Geffen! What a funny mistake! Someone got a clue mistaken for another mistake!" In recent years, Simon has divulged three "letter clues" as to Mr. Vain's identity: A, E, and R. (Geffen's middle name is Lawrence.)

The real winner in this story is NBC exec Dick Ebersol, who paid $50K to learn the secret identity at a 2003 charity auction -- on the condition that he not share the info. Nice to know Simon is still protecting his philanthropic investment.