Maxwell channels Carly Simon circa 1975 and begs for his love interest to show some emotion, i.e. "Express disappointment, speak your regrets," in the persuasive ballad.
8. 'Playing Possum'
Pre-order your copy of 'BLACKsummers'night'
'Playing Possum' Lyrics
Come back from the dead
You left my, my heart here
Say what you will and won't forget
Express disappointment, speak your regrets, yeah
Or baby call out my name, I'll be where you are
I'll be very still, step down to my heart and mend this broken
If only you'd wake up from your constant possum playing
If only you'd wake up
I'm begging you sugar, have some leniency
Call the president and ask him baby, to pardon me and bring you back to me
Oh, oh, oh, oh oooooh
Amend this broken
If only you'd quite this nonsense of your possum playing
If only you'd
Yeah
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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Reader Comments(1 of 2)
nyisda1at 6-24-2009
maxwell is something else! Lord have mercy....god bless us all!
msperdieat 6-24-2009
I love this man. I can't wait for this album and I can't wait to see him again in concert.
Vaneslesat 6-24-2009
WOW!!!
Who ever this possum is or was, find the highest mountain top and set it off.
I can't imagine Maxwell begging for anthing.
MERCY, MERCY, MERCY...
YOU ARE KILLING US MAX!!!
Marlèneat 6-24-2009
Thank you
Nicoleat 6-24-2009
Ohhhhh. I like this one ALOT. Gives me goosebumps!
Max, you are pardoned baby! Hmmm. Damn!
Sherryat 6-24-2009
Umm....does anyone know how to reach President Obama? Cause I will call and ask for a pardon! Damn this CD is hot!!!
ceelyrichat 6-24-2009
Thanks Maxwell.. I was worth the wait
CANDICEat 6-24-2009
LOVE IT! LOVE IT LOVE IT! Headed to Austin on the 1st to see him, can't wait. This album is Timeless and Real!
coolsmootheat 6-24-2009
playing possum is a brillant song, wow
jusmethatsallat 6-24-2009
1 more thing. thanks for giving us a heads up!
jusmethatsallat 6-24-2009
are you kidding me? this crap doesn't even compare to urbanhangsuite. i bought that joint again so i could have the CD (had the cassette originally). these hits don't compare to
welcome, urban hang suite, dance wit me, ascension.
come on maxwell! and grow that hair back!!!!!!!
CANDICEat 6-24-2009
he's grown as a person so of course his music is going to evolve. he older and has experienced more heartache as well as triumph so while UHS is great, I appreciate his growth because his music has grown with my experiences as well. A true Maxwell fan, I am! I appreciate is effort to express his progression as heartfelt and raw as possible. People who expect artist to just "stay with the formula" don't understand that music is organic. Maxwell's music is about the rawness of life as I love him for that! From Shreveport, Louisiana much LOVE to Maxwell.
Ms.FATFeeat 6-25-2009
I agree with Candice, he has grown the years has changed since his other CDs. But keep one thing in mind to. How do you apply it to your life and the relationship(s)you are in? sometime you have to move passed the music and listen to the words, and then feel the music. then you will have a full understanding of growth.
jvp9779at 6-25-2009
I thought I was the only one who felt this way and I'm a DIE HARD Maxwell fan. I spent $700 just to sit in the front row for his Houston show back in November '08!!!! So far this album falls far far far short of the last three. Even NOW wasn't all that great! Urban Hang Suite and Embrya were the best. Those albums contain some of the greates music ever made. This new album is crap in comparison! Bad Habits is good enough, but the version he performed on tour last year is killing this version! Stop the World is ok too as well as Pretty Wings...but these are not songs I can listen to over and over again like I do his previous work. To say the least, I'm extremely disappointed!!!!! This is certainly not the Maxwell that I grew to love! If the next two albums are anything like this, I'm going to be really ticked off. I hope Sade comes out in December...seems like she's my only hope for some really great music this year! Sorry Max...still love you though.
cryptjoiat 6-24-2009
thank you!maxwell
thank you tracey for givin me a listen to this magnificent beautiful black man! i can not wait to get the cd!