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.
Sarah
Mojave 3 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your hair has grown too long
Been away for such a long time
Just can't find the words
Lonesome fools build lonesome walls
To hide behind and cry behind
But I'm not one
But I can't hide
I'm hurting babe
But I can't cry
'Cause I'm not one
Drew you a picture to remember
Threw it on the fire like a piece of pine
I pictured you mad
And I pictured you cold
Pictured you mean
And I pictured you bold
But I can't hide
I'm hurting babe
But I can't cry
Lay your love on me
Lay your love on me
Lay your love on me
Lay your love on me
The song "Sarah" by Mojave 3 begins with a melancholic vibe as the singer expresses his inability to see Sarah, possibly due to her hair that has grown too long. He reveals that he has been away for a long time; thus, he struggles to find the right words to say to her. The second verse delves into the idea of loneliness and how some people build walls around themselves to hide and cry behind it. However, the singer claims that he is not one of them, but he still can't hide the fact that he is hurting, although he chooses not to cry.
The third verse takes a darker turn as the singer drew a picture to remember Sarah, but he ended up throwing it on the fire like a piece of pine. He pictures Sarah as mad, cold, mean, and bold, highlighting the complexity of their relationship. The chorus then repeats the plea to lay love on him as the singer reveals his vulnerability and desire for Sarah's love.
Overall, the song seems to be about a rocky relationship between Sarah and the singer, with the latter struggling to express his emotions and vulnerability. The constant plea for love suggests that despite the challenges, the singer still wants Sarah's love and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Sarah I can't see
The singer cannot physically see Sarah, either because she is far away or because his perception of her has been obscured.
Your hair has grown too long
The singer has been away from Sarah for a long time and has not seen her keep up with her personal grooming habits.
Been away for such a long time
The singer has not seen Sarah for an extended period of time.
Just can't find the words
The artist is having trouble articulating his emotions and thoughts about Sarah.
Lonesome fools build lonesome walls
People who feel lonely will often push others away and isolate themselves, which only exacerbates their feelings of loneliness.
To hide behind and cry behind
People who build emotional walls do so to protect themselves from emotional pain and often retreat behind those walls to cry in private.
But I'm not one
The singer is not someone who retreats behind emotional walls and cries alone.
No, I'm not one
The artist is emphatic in his assertion that he does not hide behind emotional walls and cry alone.
But I can't hide
Despite his assertion, the artist is unable to hide his emotional pain from Sarah.
I'm hurting babe
The artist is experiencing emotional pain.
But I can't cry
The singer is unable to express his emotional pain through crying.
Drew you a picture to remember
The artist created a mental image of Sarah to remember her by.
Threw it on the fire like a piece of pine
The singer is dismissing the mental image he created of Sarah; he is burning it in his mind as if it were a disposable piece of wood.
I pictured you mad
The singer's mental image of Sarah included her being angry.
And I pictured you cold
The singer's mental image of Sarah included her being emotionally distant and aloof.
Pictured you mean
The artist's mental image of Sarah included her being cruel or unkind.
And I pictured you bold
The artist's mental image of Sarah included her being confident and assertive.
Lay your love on me
The singer is requesting that Sarah show him love and affection to help ease his emotional pain.
Lay your love on me
The singer repeats his request for Sarah to show him love and affection.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NEIL HALSTEAD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind