# Remember When Carly Simon and Michael McDonald Wrote a Song Together in the 70s?

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/remember-when-carly-simon-and-michael-mcdonald-wrote-a-song-together-in-the-70s/
- Published: 2026-10-27T16:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-07T04:55:19+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/remember-when-carly-simon-and-michael-mcdonald-wrote-a-song-together-in-the-70s/
- Topics: Art, Culture, Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Simon and McDonald co-wrote “You Belong to Me”.
- The Doobie Brothers recorded it first in 1977.
- Simon’s 1978 version became her final Hot 100 top 10.

## Summary

Carly Simon and Michael McDonald co-wrote “You Belong to Me”, a song whose lyrics frame infidelity as a way to make a partner more attracted. McDonald wrote the lyrics first, and producer Ted Templeman suggested he send them to Simon, who helped complete the song with a melody.

The Doobie Brothers released the first recording on their 1977 album *Livin’ on the Fault Line*, while Simon issued her version as a single in 1978. It became her final top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Later recordings included versions by Anita Baker, Jennifer Lopez, and McDonald with Concha Buika in 2022.

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