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.
All the Wild Horses
Ray LaMontagne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the wild horses
Tethered with tears in their eyes
May no man's touch ever tame
May no man's reigns ever chain you
And may no man's weight ever defrayed your soul
Just let them roll
Roll away
Roll away
As for the clouds
Just let them roll
Roll away
Roll away
The song All the Wild Horses by Ray LaMontagne is a poignant composition that embodies the idea of being free and wild, both physically and emotionally. The lyrics of the song talk about wild horses that are tethered and have tears in their eyes. The horses are a metaphor for human beings who are struggling to break free from the chains of society and be their true selves. The stanza, "May no man's touch ever tame, may no man's reigns ever chain you, and may no man's weight ever defray your soul," is particularly powerful as it shows the desire to be free from the expectations of others and to live life on your own terms.
The second stanza of the song talks about clouds and the need to let them roll away. This imagery represents the obstacles and challenges that one faces in life. The message is to not get weighed down by the difficulties that come our way, but to let them pass by and keep moving forward. The repetition of the line "As for the clouds, just let them roll away" emphasizes the importance of letting go and not holding onto negative emotions or experiences.
Overall, the song All the Wild Horses is a beautiful and moving piece that speaks to the universal desire to be free and true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
All the wild horses
The untamed, free-spirited horses
Tethered with tears in their eyes
Restricted and bound emotionally
May no man's touch ever tame
No one can ever take away their untamed essence
May no man's reigns ever chain you
No one can control their actions or decisions
And may no man's weight ever defrayed your soul
No one can burden their being with their own problems
And as for the clouds
Regarding the uncertainties in life
Just let them roll
Allow them to pass and not bother you
Roll away
Disappear and be forgotten
Roll away
Vanish without ever coming back
Lyrics © HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP
Written by: RAY LAMONTAGNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nick Baumgart
One of the greatest songs sung by one of the beautiful voices the world has ever known.
Dylan Furney
The soul in his voice ❤
Andrea
I have always loved this song since it first came out. Although when I listen to it now, I will forever think of the Onaqui horses, and the horrible situation that has been happening to them for months now.
Stephanie Parsons
Love Ray's beautiful voice!
RayLamontagneMusic
Hello dear, it’s nice meeting you on here
xvhshxhxh
ray, you don't even know how much I love this song. thank you<3
James Anderson
Gorgeous song, kudos Ray.
Chrissy I21
Hands down best version of this song ever!!
RayLamontagneMusic
Hello dear, it’s nice meeting you on here
Mark H
why does this tune touch me so deeply? thanks, Ray.