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.
Beg Steal or Borrow
Ray LaMontagne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are ya drowning in the small talk and the chatter
Or you gonna step into line like your daddy done
Punching the time and driving life's long ladder
You've been howling at the moon like a slack jawed fool
And breaking every rule they can throw on
But one of these days it's gonna be right soon
Young man, full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man, going to make a stand
You beg, steal, you borrow
Ya beg, ya steal, ya borrow
Well all the friends that you knew in school
They used to be so cool now they just bore you
Well look at them now, already pulling the plow
So quick to take to grain like some old mule
Young man, full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man, going to make a stand
You beg, steal, you borrow
You beg, you steal, you borrow
Dreaming of the day
You're gonna pack your bags
Put the miles away
Oh, just grab your girl and go
Where no one knows you
What will all the old folks say?
So the home town's bringing you down
Are you drowning in the small talk and the chatter?
Or you gonna step into line like your daddy done
Punching the time and climbing life's long ladder
Young man, full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man, going to make a stand
You beg, steal, you borrow
You beg, you steal, you borrow
The lyrics of Beg Steal Or Borrow by Ray LaMontagne and The Pariah Dogs describes the struggle of a young man in his hometown. He feels trapped and bored with small talk and chatter, and like his friends who have settled down, he fears that his life will be just like his father's - a dull existence of punching the time clock and climbing the long ladder of life. He longs to break free and strike out on his own, but he doesn't know how to do it.
The chorus of the song is a repetition of "You beg, steal, you borrow", which implies that the young man is willing to do whatever it takes to escape his current situation. He is ambitious and full of big plans, but he knows he has to take risks in order to achieve his dreams. He is willing to beg, steal, or borrow to get where he wants to go. The song suggests that this behavior is both admirable and necessary.
The lyrics also allude to the idea that the young man's desire to escape his hometown and strike out on his own is not unique. His friends from school, who used to be cool and full of promise, have already settled into a routine that bores him. The song asks the question, "What will all the old folks say?" suggesting that the older generation might not understand the young man's desire to leave and may try to discourage him from taking risks.
Line by Line Meaning
So your home town's bringing you down
You are feeling depressed and stuck in your small and uneventful hometown.
Are ya drowning in the small talk and the chatter
You are overwhelmed and suffocated by the meaningless conversations that dominate in your town.
Or you gonna step into line like your daddy done
Punching the time and driving life's long ladder
You have two options: you can either conform to society's expectations and maintain a boring, routine job, or you can take control of your life and strive for something greater.
You've been howling at the moon like a slack jawed fool
And breaking every rule they can throw on
But one of these days it's gonna be right soon
You'll find your legs and go and stay gone
You have been reckless and rebellious, but you will soon find your true purpose in life and set off on your own path.
Well all the friends that you knew in school
They used to be so cool now they just bore you
Well look at them now, already pulling the plow
So quick to take to grain like some old mule
Your old friends have settled for a mundane and unfulfilling life, which makes you realize that you don't want to end up like them.
Dreaming of the day
You're gonna pack your bags
Put the miles away
Oh, just grab your girl and go
Where no one knows you
What will all the old folks say?
You have a strong desire to leave your hometown and start a new life, even if it means leaving behind your old friends and family who may disapprove.
Young man, full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man, going to make a stand
You beg, steal, you borrow
Ya beg, ya steal, ya borrow
You are a young man with ambitious goals and a determination to make something of yourself, even if it means taking risks and making sacrifices.
So the home town's bringing you down
Are you drowning in the small talk and the chatter?
Or you gonna step into line like your daddy done
Punching the time and climbing life's long ladder
You are faced with the choice of either settling for a mundane life or taking control of your destiny and pursuing your dreams.
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: RAYCHARLES JACK LAMONTAGNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Forrest George
So your home town's bringing you down
Are you drowning in the small talk
And the chatter
Or you gonna step into line like your daddy done
Punching the time and climbing life's long ladder
You've been howling at the moon like a slack jaw fool
And breaking every rule they can throw on
But one of these days it's gonna be right soon
You'll find your legs and go and stay gone
Young man full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man going to make a stand
You beg, steal you borrow
You beg you steal you borrow
Well all the friends that you knew in school
They used to be so cool and they just bore you
Well look at them now, already pulling the plow
So quick to take to grain like some old mule
Young man full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man going to make a stand
You beg, steal you borrow
You beg you steal you borrow
Dreaming of the day
You're gonna pack your bags
Put the miles away
Oh, just grab your girl and go
Where no one knows you
What will all the old folks say?
So the home town's bringing you down
Are you drowning in the small talk and the chatter?
Or you gonna step into line like your daddy done
Punching the time and climbing life’s long ladder
Young man full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man going to make a stand
You beg, steal you borrow
You beg you steal you borrow
leo
So your home town's bringing you down
Are you drowning in the small talk and the chatter?
Are you gonna step into line like your daddy done
Punching the time and climbing life's long ladder?
You've been howling at the moon like a slack-jawed fool
And breaking every rule they can throw on
But one of these days, it's gonna be right soon
You'll find your legs and go and stay gone
Young man full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man gonna make a stand
You beg, steal, you borrow
You beg, you steal, you borrow
Well, all the friends that you knew in school
They used to be so cool, now they just bore you
Well, look at 'em now, already pulling the plow
So quick to take to grain, like some old mule
Young man full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man gonna make a stand
You beg, steal, you borrow
You beg, you steal, you borrow
Dreaming of the day you're gonna pack your bags
Put the miles away
Oh, just grab your girl and go where no one knows you
What will all the old folks say?
So the home town's bringing you down
Are you drowning in the small talk and the chatter?
Are you gonna step into line like your daddy done
Punching the time and climbing life's long ladder?
Young man full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man gonna make a stand
You beg, steal, you borrow
You beg, you steal, you borrow
Brandon Celaya
So your home town's bringing you down
Are you drowning in the small talk and the chatter?
Are you gonna step into line like your daddy done
Punching the time and climbing life's long ladder?
You've been howling at the moon like a slack-jawed fool
And breaking every rule they can throw on
But one of these days, it's gonna be right soon
You'll find your legs and go and stay gone
Young man full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man gonna make a stand
You beg, steal, you borrow
You beg, you steal, you borrow
Well, all the friends that you knew in school
They used to be so cool, now they just bore you
Well, look at 'em now, already pulling the plow
So quick to take to grain, like some old mule
Young man full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man gonna make a stand
You beg, steal, you borrow
You beg, you steal, you borrow
Dreaming of the day you're gonna pack your bags
Put the miles away
Oh, just grab your girl and go where no one knows you
What will all the old folks say?
So the home town's bringing you down
Are you drowning in the small talk and the chatter?
Are you gonna step into line like your daddy done
Punching the time and climbing life's long ladder?
Young man full of big plans and thinking about tomorrow
Young man gonna make a stand
You beg, steal, you borrow
You beg, you steal, you borrow
Taurus 03
I heard this song while waiting in the dentist's office and I HAD to look it up. This man's voice is beautiful; it's like a whisper-rasp that kind of reminds me of fog... But it also sounds like melted, slippery butter. Whew! 🙌🏽
Anonymous
Excellent descriptors. You should be a sommelier!
Taurus 03
@Anonymous Aw, thank you. 😅❤️
whitehurstcomic
And he sounds the same live as recorded in a studio. Amazing.
D C
Listen to it after the dentist..much more enjoyable
Taurus 03
@D C I’ve been listening to it ever since. 😊 I’m in love with it.
Mary ann Bensette
The layering of the various guitars is just beautiful !
Memento Mori
This song resonates with me WAY more than I'd like to admit.
AbbyNormal777
I hear ya..
AbbyNormal777
our very weird world Legal complications?