The Folk Implosion (or occasionally The Lou Barlow Folk Implosion) was an i… Read Full Bio ↴The Folk Implosion (or occasionally The Lou Barlow Folk Implosion) was an indie rock band which formed in Boston, Massachusetts, United States in 1993. The band originally consisted of just Lou Barlow (vocals, bass) and John Davis (guitar, drums), but after Davis' departure, Barlow hired Imaad Wasif (guitar) and Russ Pollard (drums) to replace him. The band is best known for their 1995 single "Natural One" from the film "Kids". The song was a surprise hit in the United States and aside from hitting #4 on the Billboard Modern Rock Charts, also hit No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100, a rarity for an indie rock band. The band split in 2004.

Lou Barlow formed The Folk Implosion with John Davis in the 1990s as a way to explore different kinds of music that his other band Sebadoh did not normally play. "The Lou Barlow Folk Implosion," as it is sometimes called, took its name as a tribute to the band The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Another incarnation of this band went under the name Deluxx Folk Implosion, which featured Bob Fay, who worked with Lou Barlow in Sebadoh, on drums.
Folk Implosion briefly stepped to the forefront of the alternative rock scene with their song Natural One which was featured on the soundtrack to the movie Kids (Kids) and received strong airplay on alternative rock format radio stations.

Creature of Salt
The Folk Implosion Lyrics

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Did what I could but it wasn't enough
Everything isn't OK
Nothing that hard work or patience could
Carry away

I didn't break what's already broken
I'm only a part of the blame
But I offer myself all the guilt and regret

Just the same

Go easy on me, I'm a creature of salt
Dissolving in front of your eyes
It's easy for me to say it's my fault
Than call you or carry you home

Don't be mistaken, it's not from compassion
It's only a part of my plan
To fade away follow
Do just as little I can

Faith in a vacuum, disguised as a virtue
Somebody needs to, I'll never tell you
I'm all condescension, saintly pretension
A lie

Go easy on me, creature of salt
Dissolving invisible now
It's easy for me, say it's my fault
Involving no one but myself

I'm miles away

Overall Meaning

The Folk Implosion's song "Creature of Salt" is a deeply introspective and melancholic piece that meditates on themes of guilt, regret, and self-blame. The opening lines immediately set the tone of dissatisfaction and hopelessness with "Did what I could but it wasn't enough/Everything isn't OK/Nothing that hard work or patience could/Carry away." The singer acknowledges their shortcomings and accepts that there are no easy solutions to their problems. They continue to reflect on the guilt and regret they feel, even if they weren't the sole cause of the issue, "I didn't break what's already broken/I'm only a part of the blame/But I offer myself all the guilt and regret/Just the same."

The chorus serves as a plea for understanding, "Go easy on me, I'm a creature of salt/Dissolving in front of your eyes/It's easy for me to say it's my fault/Than call you or carry you home." The singer acknowledges that their self-blame is a means of avoiding confrontation or helping others, and instead chooses to dissolve into nothingness. The second verse delves deeper into the internal conflict of the singer, highlighting their insincerity and self-deception, "Faith in a vacuum, disguised as a virtue/Somebody needs to, I'll never tell you/I'm all condescension, saintly pretension/A lie." The song ends with the powerful metaphor of being "miles away," emphasizing the singer's emotional distance and detachment from others.

Line by Line Meaning

Did what I could but it wasn't enough
I tried my best, but it didn't suffice.

Everything isn't OK
Things are not fine, despite appearances.

Nothing that hard work or patience could Carry away
No amount of labor or calm waiting would have erased the pain.

I didn't break what's already broken
I didn't cause more damage to things that are already ruined.

I'm only a part of the blame
I'm not solely responsible for the fault.

But I offer myself all the guilt and regret Just the same
Even though it's not entirely my fault, I still hold myself accountable.

Go easy on me, I'm a creature of salt
Don't be harsh on me; I'm fragile and vulnerable.

Dissolving in front of your eyes
I'm breaking down and deteriorating in your presence.

It's easy for me to say it's my fault Than call you or carry you home
I prefer to take the blame on myself than to ask for your help.

Don't be mistaken, it's not from compassion It's only a part of my plan
My actions are not motivated by sympathy; they align with my intentions.

To fade away follow Do just as little I can
I am withdrawing and retreating, doing the bare minimum necessary.

Faith in a vacuum, disguised as a virtue Somebody needs to, I'll never tell you
I mask my faith, pretending it's a noble trait. I won't reveal who needs it.

I'm all condescension, saintly pretension A lie
I am patronizing and hypocritical, pretending to be virtuous - this is a falsehood.

Dissolving invisible now It's easy for me, say it's my fault Involving no one but myself
I'm dissolving in silence, but owning the blame, and avoiding entangling others.

I'm miles away
I am emotionally far away from you, physically or mentally.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IMAAD WASIF, LOUIS KNOX BARLOW, RUSSELL POLAND

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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