"Anticipation" is a song written and performed by Carly Simon, and the lead single from her 1971 album of the same name. The song peaked at No. 13 on the ''Billboard'' pop singles chart and at No. 3 on the '' Billboard''

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. The song also ranked No. 72 on ''Billboard''s Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1972, and garnered Simon a

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nomination for Best Pop Female Vocalist. Simon wrote the song on the

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in 15 minutes, as she awaited Cat Stevens to pick her up for a date. "Anticipation" is one of Simon's biggest hits. It has been included on several compilations of her work, including '' The Best of Carly Simon'' (1975), '' Clouds in My Coffee'' (1995), '' The Very Best of Carly Simon: Nobody Does It Better'' (1999), '' Anthology'' (2002), and '' Reflections: Carly Simon's Greatest Hits'' (2004). A live version from her 1988 album '' Greatest Hits Live'' was included on Sony BMG/ Legacy's 2014 compilation release '' Playlist: The Very Best of Carly Simon''. The song was used in commercials for

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through the late 1970s into the 1980s. ''

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'' used the song in a similar fashion for its mock commercial for "Swill Mineral Water." In 2018, it was also used in a teaser advertisement for the ABC series ''

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''.

Critical reception

Stephen Davis, writing for

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...

, stated "''Anticipation'' is a spirited examination of the tensions involved in a burgeoning romantic situation in which nobody has any idea of what's going on or what's going to happen." He continued "Carly's fine, aggressive vocal is complemented by Paul Glanz' lyrical piano comping, and drummer Andy Newmark's rhythms are to the point. The cut winds up with a surprising coda crescendo that pithily wraps up the premise of the message about anticipating things to come–Stay right here, 'cause these are the good old days".

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reviewer Joe Viglione said of the track, "In retrospect the song (and the

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) are among Carly's finest." And concluded "'Anticipation' was more than a great melody and performance, it became a pivotal bridge and foundation for fifteen years of hits."

Track listing

;7" single * "Anticipation" – 3:19 * "The Garden" – 4:08

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References

External links

Carly Simon's official website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Anticipation (Song) 1971 singles Carly Simon songs Songs written by Carly Simon Song recordings produced by Paul Samwell-Smith 1971 songs