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.
Country Girl
Ray LaMontagne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Country girl
If you don't mind
Baby we could give it a whirl
Left my home and family for
The sound of the rock and roll band
Been so long I can't recall
How it all began
Country girl
The Southern kind
Tennessee
On my mind
Left my home and family for
The soul in a rock and roll song
Just like you I could sure use
Someone to lean on
You may love upon a masa
Desert sky light a laze in a rose
I fell into her just like
That leaf falls in the water
Just like saying lonesome I suppose
I suppose
Country girl
Your papa's pride
Dusty boots
Easy smile
Left my home and family for
A life there ain't no choosing
Country girl don't throw me
No illusisions
Country girl
Country girl
Graceful as a sparrow
Free as a bird
Left my home and all that I've known
For the road and the tale I control
Lying here with you in the fore glow
I'd swear you were an angel, angel
In Ray LaMontagne's song "Country Girl," the singer is expressing his attraction to a girl from the country. He likes the idea of being with her and is open to trying something new. He left his home and family to pursue his dream of becoming a rockstar, but now he's feeling nostalgic for the familiar comforts of his past. He believes that the country girl could be the person he needs to lean on and accompany him on his journey.
The second verse of the song emphasizes the singer's affinity for Southern culture. He is drawn to the soulful nature of rock and roll music and how it speaks to his heart. He knows that the country girl can relate to his love of music and understands his need to follow his dreams. He is hoping that they can connect and share their experiences together. The final verse portrays the girl as someone who is unafraid to take risks and live their life to the fullest. The singer is enamored by her grace and free spirit, and he feels like he's found an angel in her presence.
Overall, Ray LaMontagne's "Country Girl" is a song about new love and finding someone who understands and shares your passions. The singer is open to making a connection with the girl from the country and sees her as an important person in his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Country girl
Referring to a girl from a rural area
Country girl
Repeating the previous line for emphasis
If you don't mind
Asking for permission to proceed with a romantic relationship
Baby we could give it a whirl
Suggesting a trial run at a romantic relationship
Left my home and family for
Explaining that the singer left his hometown and family behind
The sound of the rock and roll band
Describing the reason for the singer's departure as the allure of rock music
Been so long I can't recall
Admitting that it has been a long time since the singer left his hometown
How it all began
Expressing confusion about the beginning of the singer's journey
The Southern kind
Referring to a specific type of country girl from the US South
Tennessee
Naming a state in the US South where the singer may have encountered the country girl
On my mind
Indicating that the state of Tennessee is still on the singer's mind
The soul in a rock and roll song
Explaining that the singer was drawn to the soulful nature of rock music
Just like you I could sure use
Expressing a desire for companionship from the country girl
Someone to lean on
Desiring emotional support and closeness
You may love upon a masa
Imagining the country girl loving someone else in a faraway land
Desert sky light a laze in a rose
Describing the picturesque scene in which the country girl may be
I fell into her just like
Comparing his attraction to the country girl to falling into water
That leaf falls in the water
Continuing the comparison from the previous line
Just like saying lonesome I suppose
Concluding the comparison with a poetic statement about loneliness
Your papa's pride
Suggesting that the country girl's father is proud of her
Dusty boots
Describing the country girl's attire
Easy smile
Describing the country girl's friendly demeanor
A life there ain't no choosing
Explaining that the singer had no choice but to leave his hometown and pursue music
Country girl don't throw me
Asking the country girl not to deceive him
No illusions
Asking the country girl to be truthful about her feelings
Graceful as a sparrow
Complimenting the country girl's elegance
Free as a bird
Emphasizing the country girl's freedom
Left my home and all that I've known
Repeating that the singer left his hometown behind
For the road and the tale I control
Explaining that the singer now chooses his own path
Lying here with you in the fore glow
Describing a scene in which the singer is with the country girl
I'd swear you were an angel, angel
Complimenting the country girl and comparing her to an angel
Contributed by Bella O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nik H
what a great experience!! interaction with ray lamontagne in such a intimate setting, im envious to say the least..lol..
benjammin468
Awesome.