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.
Airwaves
Ray LaMontagne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a Rumble on, Knives and Chains
What you doin' Betty Sue?
What you think, I'm comin' with you
I'm comin' with you
Rolling out of east L.A.
Man, sure do look pretty, she said
Feels so good to get myself out of the city
Through the Airwaves
Can't you feel the fallout?
It's in the Airwaves
Can't you hear me callin'out?
(Help me, help me, jump and shout)
(Help me, help me, jump and shout)
(Help me, help me, jump and shout)
(Help me, help me, jump and shout)
Sitting on Landis Hill
Staring out at Beverly Hills
Everybody moving so fast
Makes you feel like you're already part of the past
Through the airwaves
Can't you feel the fall out?
It's in the airwaves
Can't you hear me calling out?
(Help me, help me, jump and shout)
(Help me, help me, jump and shout)
(Help me, help me, jump and shout)
(Help me, help me, jump and shout)
Where're you going Rusty James?
So rumble on miles and change
What you doing Betty Sue?
She says whatcha thinking?
I'm coming with you
I'm coming with you
I'm coming with you
I'm coming with you
(Help me, help me, help me jump and shout)
(Help me, help me, jump and shout)
(Help me, help me, help me jump and shout)
(Help me, help me, jump and shout)
(Help me, help me, help me jump and shout)
(Help me, help me, jump and shout)
(Help me, help me, help me jump and shout)
(jump and shout), (jump and shout), (jump and shout)
The song "Airwaves" by Ray LaMontagne seems to be about two characters named Rusty James and Betty Sue, who are planning a journey together. The first verse sets the scene for the journey with the lines "Rolling out of east L.A./Making our way to Santa Fe." Later on, in the chorus, the lyrics suggest that they are traveling through radio waves: "Through the airwaves/Can't you feel the fallout?" It's possible that Rusty James and Betty Sue are on the run, as the line "There's a rumble on, knives and chains" implies that there is some kind of conflict or danger in their current location.
The second verse describes the feeling of being stuck in one place, while the rest of the world moves on. The line "Everybody moving so fast/Makes you feel like you're already part of the past" suggests that the characters are trying to escape the feeling of being left behind. The chorus repeats, with the characters calling out for help and jump and shout.
Overall, the song seems to be about the need to escape from a situation, to break free and start fresh. The characters are seeking a new place where they can feel alive and free, away from the constraints of their current situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Where you goin' Rusty James?
Asking Rusty James where he's going. Referencing the novel and movie 'Rumble Fish' about a street gang in Rusty James' old neighbourhood.
There's a Rumble on, Knives and Chains
Saying there's a violent fight happening on the streets.
What you doin' Betty Sue?
Asking Betty Sue what she's doing. Betty Sue is likely one of the two people causing the commotion.
What you think, I'm comin' with you
Implying that the singer will tag along with Betty Sue.
Rolling out of east L.A.
Leaving East Los Angeles, likely where the scene with Rusty James and Betty Sue is taking place.
Making our way to Santa Fe
Driving to the city of Santa Fe in New Mexico, which is a popular destination for tourists.
Man, sure do look pretty, she said
Betty Sue comments on the beauty of the surroundings while travelling to Santa Fe.
Feels so good to get myself out of the city
The singer expresses relief at leaving the city and being in a new environment.
Through the Airwaves
Referencing the power of radio and how messages can be sent through radio broadcasts.
Can't you feel the fallout?
Asking if the listener can sense the impact and consequences of what is being broadcasted.
It's in the Airwaves
Reiterating the idea that messages can be broadcasted and heard.
Can't you hear me callin'out?
The singer asking if the listener can hear his cry for help.
(Help me, help me, jump and shout)
Repeatedly asking for assistance through jumping, shouting, or other means.
Sitting on Landis Hill
Sitting on top of a hill named Landis.
Staring out at Beverly Hills
Looking out towards Beverly Hills, a wealthy neighbourhood in Los Angeles.
Everybody moving so fast
Observing the fast pace of life and the constant movement in the city below.
Makes you feel like you're already part of the past
Feeling out of place and like you don't belong in a fast-paced city like Los Angeles.
Where're you going Rusty James?
Repeating the question from earlier, possibly as a way of signifying the start of a new scene.
So rumble on miles and change
Describing that the violent fight is still taking place in the area.
What you doing Betty Sue?
Repeating the question from earlier, possibly to imply that Betty Sue is the only one able to answer it.
She says whatcha thinking?
Betty Sue responds with a question about what the singer is thinking.
I'm coming with you
Reiterating the idea that the singer is joining Betty Sue on whatever adventure she is embarking on.
(Help me, help me, help me jump and shout)
Continuing to ask for help through jumping and shouting.
(jump and shout), (jump and shout), (jump and shout)
Repeating the actions of jumping and shouting for help.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RAYCHARLES JACK LAMONTAGNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dianehickey5631
Just found this song due to the gambler xx can't stop playing it xx thankyou amazing song and singer xx
@TheForkedtoungue
anyone crying about where's the old Ray needs to grow as a human like he has, this is fucking awesome.
@michelehaines5283
Surf jam!🏄♀️🤍🌸
@Aurumaero
Sublime. Supreme. Stupendous.
@susanbartlett5932
Beautiful. Somehow its California in the air.
@carmencortes9249
LOOOVE THIS SONG REZONATES WITH ME❤
@Sincere_ScentsNJ
I must thank the ending of the gambler for introducing me to this song. Best part is , when you stop listening to it for almost a year then come back to it like I just did. makes it all more better to appreciate
@davidsempau2973
+Rex MrCampos Yep! I discovered it thx to "The Gambler" too. Great song and delicate instrumentation!
@LevityLia
Ha! Ditto Rex. Thank you Gambler.
@Sincere_ScentsNJ
+LevityLia I'm actually going to listen to it now just because your comment brought me back to it lol.