What is "playing possum"

vb. (present participle of play possum English)

Playing Possum is singer-songwriter Carly Simon's fifth studio album, released in April 1975. It was her third consecutive album to reach the top ten on the Billboard Pop albums chart, peaking at #10 in June 1975. The lead single from the album, " Attitude Dancing", which featured Carole King on backing vocals, was also a success, peaking at #21 on Billboard Pop singles chart, and #18 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. A second single, " Waterfall," which featured prominent backing vocals by Simon's then-husband James Taylor, didn't fare as well, reaching no higher than #78 on the Pop singles chart. It fared much better on the AC chart, entering the Top 40 and peaking at #21. The album's third and final single "More and More" was co-written by New Orleans pianist Dr. John, who also played piano on the track, along with Ringo Starr on drums, but it peaked no higher than #94 on the Pop singles chart.

Today, Playing Possum may best be remembered for its controversial cover photograph, which shows the singer wearing only a black negligee, sheer-to-waist pantyhose, and knee-high black boots. The photographer was Norman Seeff. It was nominated for Best Album Package at the 18th Annual Grammy Awards. In 1991, it ranked at #20 on the Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest album covers.

Simon chose to include further photographs from the session in the booklets accompanying her three-CD boxed set, Clouds in My Coffee (1995), and her two-CD collection, Anthology (2003). The singles "Attitude Dancing" and "Waterfall" were included on the Anthology set as well.