Underneath the Fur

from Sins of Commission 2 by Tom Smith

supported by

	/

Streaming + Download

Immediate download of Underneath the Fur in your choice of 320k mp3, FLAC, or just about any other format you could possibly desire. Also, if you buy it here, the money actually goes to Tom. :)

Purchasable with gift card

$1 USD or more
Buy the Full Digital Album
Full Digital Discography

86

releases

Get all 86 Tom Smith releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Outrage and Victimhood, Telly Taley Heart, Wake Up, Dread Cthulhu, I Want A Working Government For Christmas, Inclusion, Gluten Free, Who's Next?, The Four Trump Indictments, and 78 more. , and , .

Purchasable with gift card

$180.70 USD or more (35% OFF)

about

Bill Holbrook, creator of the superb web comic Kevin & Kell, commissioned me to write a song for a prospective animated special he was trying to sell. The scene is from the comic book Origin of the Species, depicting K&K's first date, and the internal conflict they each dealt with beforehand. (Good thing it was love at first sight.) If you think the lyrics in the bridge look something like a nod to the Furry convention scene, well, that's one of Bill's most dedicated audiences.

lyrics

Kell:
I've brought down prey three times my size,
But this mouse has me paralyzed,
If I touch it, I admit that I've moved on.

Just take a chance, you might connect
With someone that you might respect,
It's an online chat room, not the Amazon.

I'm smoothing down my hackles, pulling in my claws,
Shaking off the shackles and the fears that give me pause,
I'm a wolf in designer clothing, but this pretense has to end,
Underneath my fur, I need a friend.

Kevin:
I'm only lurking on this site,
So how come I'm all "fight or flight"?
I'm a rabbit, not a sacrificial lamb.

But I can't stay in the Great Indoors
And cower from all these carnivores,
Somehow, I'm all right with where I am.

I'm fluffing up my tail, folding back my ears,
Knowing I can't fail if I'm facing down my fears,
I may act like a tough guy, but I know it's pretend,
Underneath my fur, I need a friend.

Both:
Everyone has costumes that they put on every day,
People they're supposed to be, or roles they have to play,
I'm so tired of playing, I just want someone to see
Underneath the costume, where all I am is me.

[instrumental]

B: There's a wild part of me I thought no one could tame,
Kl: But you can see the heart of me...
Kv: And you can see the same...
B: Our lives have been so different,
B: But I think you'll agree...
Kl: Underneath your fur, you're a lot like me.
Kv: Really? I concur -- you're a lot like me.
Kv: I saw you smile and I was sure,
Kl: I've been unwell and you're the cure,
B: And I love your fur -- heh! You're the one for me.

-----

And here's a little insight into the creative/collaborative process -- an early version of Kevin's solo verse:

Face it -- I'm a lonely nerd,
And I'm sick of trying to be herd,
I'll never be who they want me to be.

They cower in the Great Indoors,
Until they're caught by carnivores,
What's being timid ever done for me?

I'm fluffing up my tail, folding back my ears,
Knowing I can't fail if I'm facing down my fears,
I'm a macho bunny rabbit, or so I pretend,
But underneath my fur, I need a friend.

and an alternate version of the same verse by Bill, which had a couple of bits I obviously and delightedly nicked:

My rabbit friends all think I'm weird
Since I find little to be feared
But this new feeling triggers "fight or flight."

Hares cower in the Great Indoors,
Until they're caught by carnivores.
I'm not them; I've found new courage on this site.

credits

from Sins of Commission 2, released March 15, 2009
Additional Vocals: Karen Underwood
Kevin and Kell © Bill Holbrook. Used with permission.

license

some rights reserved

about

Tom Smith Ann Arbor

Weird Al with more books, JoCo with more jokes, Carlin with more Cthulhu. Since 1985, Tom Smith has been breaking hearts, minds, and laws of propriety and physics with his insane blend of sf/fantasy, Life With Computers, pop culture, politics, and puns. More than twenty albums later, he maintains the best is yet to come. ... more

contact / help

Contact Tom Smith

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Tom Smith, you may also like:

The Blue Rose Rare and Other Faerie Tales
by Alexander James Adams

supported by 6 fans who also own “Underneath the Fur”

Alexander James Adams "The Blue Rose Rare and Other Faerie Tales" is an excellent album. With songs retelling a variety of myths and faerie tales, each song is both very fun to listen to, fits well together as an album, and is distinct from the rest of the album. Brownie Dan especially stuck out to me, both in terms of just being a really fun song musically and in terms of the lyrics being delightful. Definitely worth a listen, and thank you for a wonderful album. Kamani
go to album
We Are Who We Are
by Vixy & Tony

supported by 6 fans who also own “Underneath the Fur”

Vic Tyler has passed. But Dawsons Christian will haunt filk for all time. An anthem of an era. RIP Vic. GarrettStrife
go to album
Song Fu 2012
by The Doubleclicks

supported by 6 fans who also own “Underneath the Fur”
go to album
Speakeasy - Live 2016
by John Robins

Robins decided to release the recording of his 2016 comedy tour during the Covid-19 shutdown at the behest of fans. Bandcamp New & Notable May 29, 2020
go to album
Taylor Ham, Egg, And Cheese
by Chris Gethard

Comedian Chris Gethard’s hilarious new surprise album is devoted to the great state of New Jersey, and the great state of New Jersey alone. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 18, 2019
go to album
In A Time Of Trouble A Wild Exultation
by Jaye Bartell

A stunning and sparse follow-up to last year's "Light Enough" from Brooklyn songwriter Jaye Bartell. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 12, 2017
go to album
Lasers and Feelings
by The Doubleclicks

supported by 6 fans who also own “Underneath the Fur”

Just wonderful. Great message, great vibe, great lyrics, great melodies. Dan
go to album