This is a major, major, MAJOR stretch. Probably an egregious one. And I mean no disrespect to those legends, none at all. It’s just that in writing about this story, I was, for some reason, reminded of their story. The mind makes weird and random associations. And I apologise if this one is too much of a leap. But back then, James Taylor, he had them all – Carole, Carly, and Joni, though not in that order, and of disparate significance, obviously. And it never seemed to be overly dramatic either. In those days, love was super free and super drugged and everyone ended up in bed with everyone else. At least it seemed that way.

Three years ago I was obsessed with a book called Girls Like Us by Sheila Weller, a triple biography on Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon. And then I was obsessed with James Taylor and his effect on women. Something about this Carey Mulligan, Marcus Mumford hookup is reminding me of that time. I’m not sure why.

Let’s start at the beginning, or in the middle, depending on how you see it.

Carey and Marcus Mumford, of Mumford & Sons, are dating. The Daily Mail was all over it a few days ago but you may recall, Carey and Jake Gyllenhaal were seen at a party in Nashville where the band played. And then there were sightings of the two of them, Carey and Marcus I mean, in Cork, Ireland, at local bars – she’s been on tour with them I guess.

Previously, Carey was spending time with Tom Sturridge. Tom Sturridge and Eddie Redmayne are friends. Carey was also spotted holding hands with Redmayne in New York. Those guys are tight with an English musician called Johnny Flynn. Johnny Flynn frequently collaborated with nu-folk darling Laura Marling.

Laura Marling and Marcus Mumford were, like, the prince and princess of nu-folk but they broke up at the end of last year because Mumford cheated on her. Buuuuuut, those two only got together in the first place after she left Charlie Fink (who is SO cute) of Noah and the Whale. I’m sure you’ve figured out by now that Noah and the Whale is considered – at the risk of labelling things – indie folksy as well.

Everything happens in cycles.

And, um, does Carey look a little like Laura and vice versa?

Attached – Marcus Mumford and Laura Marling in happier times. And headshots of Carey, Marcus, Laura, Johnny Flynn, and Charlie Fink.


File photos from Wenn.com and Frazer Harrison/Gettyimages.com