Meaning of "Around The Fur" by Deftones

The lyrics of "Around The Fur" explore themes of vanity, disillusionment, and the desire for attention and validation. The speaker opens the song by addressing vanity, symbolized by an empty vial, and tells it that it is also empty, suggesting that it no longer holds any power or value. The mention of glamour losing its godlike status further highlights a sense of disillusionment with the superficial nature of society.

The refrain of the song repeats the lines "Speak, I don't get it / Should I ignore the fashion or go by the book?" This reflects the speaker's internal struggle to decide whether to conform to societal expectations or to follow their own instincts. They express a desire for attention and their eyes to be fixated on them, suggesting a need for validation and recognition.

Amidst this internal conflict, the speaker suddenly shifts their attention to a prostitute, urging them to climb down through the floor, possibly indicating a desire for them to leave dangerous and self-destructive behavior behind. The plea to not "fuck around and die like this" reveals genuine concern for someone they love and further emphasizes the underlying themes of disillusionment and the desire for authenticity.

The lyrics also touch on themes of honesty and frustration with being misunderstood. The line "Speak, oh, that's so sad you're back" expresses a disappointment at the dishonesty of someone's return, suggesting a lack of trust in their words. The frustration is brought to the forefront with the repetition of "wrong" at the end of the song, indicating a refusal to accept or believe in falsehoods.

Overall, "Around The Fur" presents a complex exploration of the allure and emptiness of vanity and glamour, the struggle for authenticity in a superficial world, and the desire for genuine connection and understanding.