Carly Simon’s health diagnoses inspire her first new album

For decades, the voice of Carly Simon resonated through countless melodies, defining a generation with her lyrical genius. Yet, for a time, the iconic singer-songwriter retreated from the spotlight. Since a performance at the Tibet House benefit at Carnegie Hall in 2018, and following the release of her celebrated album This Kind Of Love in 2008, Simon remained largely out of the public eye, pausing her prolific creative output.

The silence eventually gave way to an exciting announcement. Last month, Carly Simon unveiled a new musical chapter with the release of her album Comes In Waves. This marked a significant return to recording after nearly eighteen years, demonstrating that the artistic fire remains fiercely alive.

Kicking off this fresh era was the lead single, “Howl,” which immediately drew attention and set a hopeful tone for her return.

But the reason behind this much-needed artistic revival is deeply personal. Simon shared that her decision to embark on this new journey was fueled by confronting significant health challenges. She has been navigating a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and basal cell carcinoma, skin cancer.

Facing these diagnoses offered an undeniable imperative: if she was going to continue creating and sharing her voice, she had to do it now. The process of facing these complex personal realities has surprisingly channeled her energy into a powerful and poignant artistic expression. It is a story of resilience—a testament to the fact that true creativity often emerges from the deepest parts of human experience.

By Emma James