Early life
LaMontagne was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, in 1973, one of six children raised by his mother. In his early teens he lived in Morgan, Utah, and was more interested in drawing images of Dungeons & Dragons than in his school work. After graduating from high school, LaMontagne moved to Lewiston, Maine, and found work in a shoe factory. LaMontagne also spent a significant amount of time in Wilton, Maine. Other sources state that by his teen years he was living in Maine, spending time in Turner and Buckfield.
Style
LaMontagne has a unique vocal style which he says is created by singing through his gut instead of through his nose. He cites Stephen Stills, Richard Manuel, and Rick Danko as strong musical influences while critics have compared LaMontagne's music to that of The Band, Van Morrison, Nick Drake, and Tim Buckley.[failed verification] A Rolling Stone review of his album Supernova referred to his voice as an "impeccably weathered tenor croon" and his phrasing as "marble-mouthed."
Awards
For his debut album, LaMontagne won four awards, including three Boston Music Awards (Best Male Singer-Songwriter, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year) and an XM Nation Music Award for Acoustic Rock Artist of the Year. LaMontagne has received a nomination from the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards for Best New Touring Artist, the BRIT Awards for International Breakthrough Act, the MOJO Awards for Best New Act, and was given the title of Best Voice in 2006 by Esquire.
In 2011, Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs received two Grammy Award nominations, and they were awarded the Grammy for the Best Contemporary Folk Album for God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise.
Controversy
On July 23, 2014, during a show at the Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan, LaMontagne interrupted a song and walked off stage as a result of two fans talking during his concert, after having previously asked the audience to quiet down. The incident included yelling profanity at the couple before walking off stage. Once the couple was escorted away LaMontagne continued the concert.
On September 20, 2016, LaMontagne announced that he was canceling a September 22 show at the Bass Concert Hall at the University of Texas at Austin, due to Texas's recently implemented campus carry law.
Personal life
In 2009, LaMontagne paid $1.05 million for a 103-acre farm in Ashfield, Massachusetts, the former residence of U.S. Ambassador William C. Bullitt, where he lives with his wife, Sarah Sousa, and their two children in the farmhouse built in 1830. Sousa is a published poet via Red Mountain Press and their sons are budding artists. He refers to himself as a "very private person" and rarely gives interviews.
Trouble
Ray LaMontagne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble
Trouble been doggin' my soul since the day I was born
Worry
Worry, worry, worry, worry
Worry just will not seem to leave my mind alone
Well, I've been
Saved by a woman
I've been
Saved by a woman
I've been
Saved by a woman
She won't let me go
She won't let me go now
She won't let me go
She won't let me go now
Trouble
Oh, trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble
Feels like every time I get back on my feet
She come around and knock me down again
Worry
Oh, worry, worry, worry, worry
Sometimes I swear it feels like this worry is my only friend
Well, I've been saved
By a woman
I've been saved
By a woman
I've been saved
By a woman
She won't let me go
She won't let me go now
She won't let me go
She won't let me go now
Oh, ah
Oh
She good to me now
She give me love and affection
She good tell me now
She give me love and affection
I said I love her
Yes I love her
I said I love her
I said I love
She good to me now
She's good to me
She's good to me
"Trouble" by Ray LaMontagne is a song that captures the struggles of life and how it can sometimes feel like a constant battle to stay afloat amidst the hardships. The repetitive chants of "trouble" and "worry" create a sense of urgency and anxiety that reflects the feelings of the singer in the song. Ray sings about how he has been struggling since the day he was born, and how worry doesn't seem to leave his mind alone. Every time he gets back on his feet, trouble comes around and knocks him down again. It feels like his life is a never-ending cycle of troubles and worries.
However, in the midst of all the struggles, he finds solace in a woman who has saved him. The repetition of "I've been saved by a woman" portrays the significant impact this woman has had on his life. She won't let him go, and she gives him love and affection, which makes him feel good. It's clear that this woman is his anchor, keeping him grounded and giving him the strength to face each day.
The song is a testament to the power of love and the importance of having someone to turn to during tough times. Ray's soulful voice and the simple yet powerful lyrics make "Trouble" a timeless classic that resonates with people from all walks of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Trouble
The singer is speaking about the various kinds of trouble he has faced in his life.
Trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble
Trouble has been a constant companion of the singer, and he reiterates this idea for emphasis.
Trouble been doggin' my soul since the day I was born
The singer has faced trouble since the very beginning of his life and feels weighed down by it.
Worry
The artist is now talking about his constant worries and anxieties that plague him.
Worry, worry, worry, worry
The persistence of his worries is repeated for emphasis.
Worry just will not seem to leave my mind alone
The singer feels like he cannot escape his constant worries and it is affecting his mental state.
We'lI've been
The singer is now shifting focus to the positive, by talking about someone who has helped him through his troubles and worries.
Saved by a woman
The artist has been saved by a woman, who has made a significant impact on his life and helped him through tough times.
She won't let me go
The artist believes that the woman who has saved him will stay by his side and never abandon him.
She won't let me go now
The artist is certain that the woman who has saved him is here to stay, and will continue to support him.
Oh, trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble
The singer recognizes that trouble is still present in his life, even with the support of the woman who saved him from his troubles.
Feels like every time I get back on my feet
The artist feels like he is constantly knocked down every time he tries to get back on his feet.
Worry
The singer is again focusing on his worries and anxieties.
Oh, worry, worry, worry, worry
The repetition of the word worry emphasizes that it is still a constant presence in his life.
Sometimes I swear it feels like this worry is my only friend
The singer feels like his worries are the only constant in his life, and that they are always there to keep him company.
She good to me now
The artist is expressing gratitude for the woman who has saved him from his troubles.
She give me love and affection
The artist feels loved and cared for by the woman who has helped him, and is grateful for her presence in his life.
I said I love her
The singer is openly expressing his love for the woman who has saved him from his troubles.
She's good to me
The singer reaffirms how well the woman who has saved him from his troubles treats him.
She's good to me
The artist repeats for emphasis how grateful he is for the woman who has helped him through his troubles.
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Ray Charles LaMontagne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind