The band initially existed as a trio consisting of Halstead, Goswell, and McCutcheon (hence the "3" in their name). After Slowdive were dropped by Creation Records, the trio decided to change musical direction to a country rock or folk music style, and were signed by 4AD. Rowe (formerly of Chapterhouse) and Forrester joined shortly after the release of their first album.
Both Halstead (the main songwriter for the band) and Goswell have released solo albums, also for 4AD. McCutcheon founded and is currently playing with his band called The Loose Salute who are signed to Heavenly Records.
The band went on hiatus in 2008, but returned to playing live gigs in 2011, including a handful of concerts supporting Band of Horses.
With Slowdive returning to live performances in 2014, Mojave 3 has been put on indefinite hiatus.
Prayer For The Paranoid
Mojave 3 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the front line
Please send applause
And some good advice
You were born with a compass
A map on your table
Tell me how did you find out
Just pray for us
Pray for sunshine
These days are cold
And I´m missing you
The city is no place to lose
Ah, but I never thought
I could choose
It was plain from the start
Plain from the start
I was playing for time
I need laughter and love
Some special drug
I need cigarettes
There´s killers behind us
Devils ahead, send protection
I will drown in this city
I will drown in this trench
Built for us
And the only thing left
Yeah the only thing left
Is the running
And these clouds keep on rolling
And I, I don´t know why
Take this guitar right out of my hands
I surrender
This town don´t want drunkards
Or singers of bad poetry
They want dancing and drugs and laughter
And we don´t have them
Just pray for us
Pray for sunshine
These days are cold
And I´m missing you
This letter was meant for your eyes
Destroy it and then just go hide
You´re the only thing left
That makes any sense
Please don´t blow it
In Mojave 3's song "Prayer For The Paranoid," the singer is writing a letter to a loved one from the front lines, asking for applause and good advice. The second verse describes the loved one as being born with a compass and a map, with the singer wondering how they found out their bearings were wrong. The chorus is a plea for the loved one to pray for them, as the days are cold and they are missing each other. The third verse talks about the city being a difficult place, with killers behind them and devils ahead. The only thing left is running, but even that feels hopeless as the clouds keep rolling by and the singer doesn't understand why. The song ends with the singer surrendering to the fact that the town doesn't want drunkards or singers of bad poetry, but rather wants dancing, drugs, and laughter. The only thing that makes sense is the loved one, who the singer begs not to blow it.
Line by Line Meaning
I´ll send you a letter
From the front line
Please send applause
And some good advice
I will send you a message from a difficult situation, please send me applause and helpful guidance.
You were born with a compass
A map on your table
Tell me how did you find out
Your bearings were wrong
You always had a sense of direction, how did you realize it was mistaken?
Just pray for us
Pray for sunshine
These days are cold
And I´m missing you
Please pray for us, we need some positivity in these hard times and I miss you.
The city is no place to lose
Ah, but I never thought
I could choose
It was plain from the start
The city is not somewhere to feel lost, but I didn't think I had a choice, it was obvious from the beginning.
Plain from the start
I was playing for time
I need laughter and love
Some special drug
From the beginning, I was just trying to pass time. I require affection and joy, something that can heal my senses.
I need cigarettes
There´s killers behind us
Devils ahead, send protection
I will drown in this city
I need some cigarettes, there are threats from behind us and dangers ahead. Please offer me your support, otherwise, I'll be overwhelmed in this city.
I will drown in this trench
Built for us
And the only thing left
Yeah the only thing left
Is the running
And these clouds keep on rolling
And I, I don´t know why
Take this guitar right out of my hands
I'll be consumed by this constricted environment made for us. The only option left is to escape, but there are still problems in sight. I don't understand why things keep going wrong. I can't handle this situation anymore, I want to give up playing music.
I surrender
This town don´t want drunkards
Or singers of bad poetry
They want dancing and drugs and laughter
And we don´t have them
Just pray for us
Pray for sunshine
These days are cold
And I´m missing you
I admit defeat, this town doesn't have a place for people like us who drink too much and write bad poetry. They're looking for someone who can dance, do drugs and be happy. We don't have any of that, just please pray for us, these times are tough and I miss you.
This letter was meant for your eyes
Destroy it and then just go hide
You´re the only thing left
That makes any sense
Please don´t blow it
I wrote this message especially for you, but please destroy it after reading it and disappear. You are the only person who I can rely on and who understands me. Please don't ruin it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL HALSTEAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@harybosco
this song holds one of my favorite lyrics: This town don´t want drunkards Or singers of bad poetry They want dancing and drugs and laughter And we don´t have them
@malakiblunt
in reality - poetry doesn't get more beautiful than this
@2rfg949
One of the most beautiful songs ever written
@giorgizarandia5109
i like how it can be said about literally every song slowdive/mojave3 ever created
@MorganBonny
This song, is so beautiful. There are many interpretations, of it, I'm sure, but for me, it is, and always will be, about the War. I sit here, and I think about, the letters, I sent home, from the Front, when struggling, not to drown, in the trenches, seemed just too much, and the only thing left, was the running. Thank you, Mojave 3. This song, captures, what I only wish, I could say. And thank you, @jokerman02, for sharing. I think, this, is my favorite song. -- Alan (borrowing this account)
@Giantcappuccino
Excuses for Travelers has always been one of my favorite albums to listen to while traveling. Thanks Neil and Rachel for this so appropriately titled masterpiece from way back in 2000.
@discardthispast
Slowdive, Mojave 3...perfection of the non mainstream variety.
@bloodyjoec
Breathtaking, such feels... every note, every word just pure bliss. Well played Halstead, well played!
@karziflora
Simply BEAUTIFUL.....Neil & Rachel are sooo talented!!!
@tromette
it s 7 years that i listen to this album and im still not bored. i got this version on my original cd