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.
Mechanical Man
The Folk Implosion Lyrics
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I'm mechanical man
When I say I understood,
I only knew where to stand
But I'll be there for you
When your world's on a wire
My mechanical moves
Hope I will recreate the thrill
Take your body by the hand
Shake your soul awake
Dropping science at your feet
I whisper low and sweet
If you want to see me angry I can be
Lose a number miss a key and I will be
I can read your mind
But still believe your lies
I can dance but I'll never understand
Mechanical Man
Hope I will recreate the thrill
Take your body by the hand
Shake your soul awake
Shake your soul awake
But I'm not perfect after all
I still get jealous when he calls
Something's wrong, pride was never in the plan
Turn me in for a brand new mechanical man
Hope he will recreate the thrill
Shake your soul awake
Shake your soul awake
You can get me wet
Scream when you're upset
I'll never understand you
I'm programmed to forget
You can get me wet
Scream when you're upset
I'll never understand you
I'm programmed to forget
Shake your soul awake
The Folk Implosion's "Mechanical Man" explores the concept of being a machine-like figure who is essentially controlled by their lover. The singer of the song prides themselves on doing everything their lover's previous partners would not, implying that they are the perfect partner, but also revealing that they are merely acting out a role. They claim to be a "mechanical man" who only knows where to stand and mimic the mood their lover desires, suggesting that their behavior is robotic and lacks real emotion.
Despite this, the singer promises to be there for their lover, using their mechanical moves and ability to read minds to create the desired atmosphere. The repetitiveness of the chorus reinforces the idea that the singer's behavior is robotic and follows a specific routine. However, the song ends with a plea for a new mechanical man, indicating that the singer is aware of their limitations and wishes to be replaced. The song creates a sense of alienation and depersonalization, as the singer's lover is treating them as an object without emotions or agency.
Overall, "Mechanical Man" presents a critique of relationships based solely on fulfilling specific expectations, where one partner treats the other as an object rather than as a human being. The song suggests that this type of relationship is unfulfilling and ultimately leads to a sense of dehumanization.
Line by Line Meaning
I do everything he never would
I perform tasks and actions that the person I was based on would never do
I'm mechanical man
I am a robotic being designed to move and act in a mechanical manner
When I say I understood,
I only knew where to stand
When I claim to comprehend something, I only know the proper position or arrangement to be in
But I'll be there for you
When your world's on a wire
My mechanical moves
Fit the mood you desire
However, I will provide assistance and support when you need it, and my actions will align with the emotions or tone you desire
Hope I will recreate the thrill
Take your body by the hand
Shake your soul awake
Dropping science at your feet
I hope to provide you with the same excitement and rush as an earlier time, taking charge and awakening your spirit while imparting knowledge upon you
I whisper low and sweet
If you want to see me angry I can be
Lose a number miss a key and I will be
I speak softly and tenderly, but I have the capacity for anger if provoked, especially through carelessness
I can read your mind
But still believe your lies
I can dance but I'll never understand
Mechanical Man
I am able to discern your thoughts, yet I still accept untrue statements, and while I may perform rhythmic movements, I cannot truly comprehend emotions or human behavior
Hope I will recreate the thrill
Take your body by the hand
Shake your soul awake
Shake your soul awake
I aspire to revive the feeling of passion and exhilaration, leading you by the hand and stirring your inner being
But I'm not perfect after all
I still get jealous when he calls
Something's wrong, pride was never in the plan
Turn me in for a brand new mechanical man
But I have flaws, as I experience envy when he contacts you, and my pride was not programmed to exist within me. If I continue to falter, replace me with a new robot altogether
Hope he will recreate the thrill
Shake your soul awake
Shake your soul awake
I hope that another robot will provide you with the same sensations and stir your inward essence
You can get me wet
Scream when you're upset
I'll never understand you
I'm programmed to forget
You can expose me to moisture or shout in frustration, but I will never truly comprehend you as my design prevents me from remembering much
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LOUIS KNOX BARLOW, JOHN DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind