Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)

"Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" is a song by American singer-songwriter Janet Jackson with Carly Simon from Jackson's seventh studio album, All for You (2001). It was written and produced by Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with additional lyrics by Simon. The R&B and hip hop song is built around a sample of 1972's "You're So Vain" by Simon, who also added some new spoken parts into the song; it talks about an unidentified man who attempted to extort money from Jackson. A remix featuring Missy Elliott was released as the third and final single from the album on November 6, 2001, by Virgin Records. The album version of "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" received mixed reviews from music critics, with some calling it a highlight from the album, and others criticizing Simon's rapping; the remix version received a similarly a mixed reaction from reviewers. It was also met with weak charting positions worldwide due to Virgin abruptly ending the promotional campaign for All For You due to the company's financial difficulties; in Jackson's native United States, the song reached a peak of number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100, her first single in the country to miss the top ten in over a decade, as well as her lowest-charting single since 1983. The song's accompanying music video directed by Francis Lawrence – which depicts Jackson stalking a man at Los Angeles' Millennium Biltmore Hotel – received positive reviews, and inspired such acts as Britney Spears. "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" was performed on the 2001–2002 All for You Tour. Background and release According to Jackson, she phoned American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, asking for permission to use samples of her song "You're So Vain" (1971), but Simon wanted to re-record her vocals. She agreed, with Simon wanting to write new lines. Jackson's producer Jimmy Jam sent her the tracks they were already working on, and she went into a studio on Martha's Vineyard to record some material. She rapped, initially thinking that Jackson and the producers would not use it, but they decided to marry both tracks, as the singers thought it "worked perfectly", and it became a duet. Simon expressed that Jackson "could not have been sweeter or more appreciative". "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" generated media speculation of who exactly the man described in the song was.