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.
Forever My Friend
Ray LaMontagne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who am I to play god
Who am I to think I can go it alone
Something tells me girl this is bringing you down
Something tells me this is bringing me down
We've been through some changes
Always seem to hold on
Lately it feel like you can't take anymore
Something tells me girl this is bringing you down
Forever my friend
Forever my love
Forever the woman that I'm thinking of
I just think if we keep our hearts together
Just think if we build on this trust that we have for one another
Baby we can make this last a lifetime
Who am I to tell her
Who am I to play god
I don't know just what's for real anymore
Something tells me girl this is bringing you down
Something tells me girl this is bringing you down
Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm right
Maybe it's the last thing you want to hear me say
I just think if we keep out hearts together
I just think if we build on this trust that we have for one another
Maybe we can make this last a lifetime
Forever my friend
Forever my love
Forever the woman
That I'm thinking of
I just think if we keep our hearts together
I just think if we will build on this trust that we have for one another
Maybe we can make this last a lifetime
In Ray LaMontagne's song Forever My Friend, the lyrics describe a relationship that is going through changes and difficulties. The singer realizes he cannot control the situation, nor should he try to. He acknowledges that something is making both him and his partner feel down, and he questions who he is to try to fix it. Despite this, he expresses his love and dedication to her, saying that he wants to keep his heart with hers and build trust in their relationship so that they can make it last a lifetime.
The lyrics reveal the complexity of relationships and how they can sometimes be difficult to navigate. The singer is grappling with his own limitations and the limits of his control. He is also cognizant of his partner's feelings and is trying to understand and support her in whatever way he can. Ultimately, he is expressing a desire to deepen their connection and make it last, even in the difficult times.
Overall, the song's tone is contemplative and vulnerable, highlighting the inner workings of a relationship and the importance of maintaining intimacy and trust.
Line by Line Meaning
Who am I to tell her
I don't have the authority to give her orders or instructions
Who am I to play god
I am not capable of controlling everything like a deity
Who am I to think I can go it alone
I am not able to handle everything by myself
Something tells me girl this is bringing you down
I have a feeling that this situation is causing you emotional harm
Something tells me this is bringing me down
I have a feeling that this situation is causing me emotional harm as well
We've been through some changes
We have experienced alterations in our relationship
Always seem to hold on
We have always been able to maintain our bond despite challenges
Lately it feel like you can't take anymore
Recently, it seems that you are struggling to cope with the difficulties
Forever my friend
I will always consider you a close companion
Forever my love
I will continuously have feelings of affection for you
Forever the woman that I'm thinking of
You will perpetually be on my mind as a significant female in my life
I just think if we keep our hearts together
I believe that if we maintain our emotional connection
Just think if we build on this trust that we have for one another
If we develop and reinforce our mutual trust
Baby we can make this last a lifetime
We can have a long-lasting relationship if we do so
Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm right
It is possible that my perception may be inaccurate or correct
Maybe it's the last thing you want to hear me say
It is possible that this may be the least desirable thing that I could say to you
Forever the woman That I'm thinking of
You will continuously be on my mind as a significant female in my life
I just think if we keep our hearts together
I believe that if we maintain our emotional connection
I just think if we will build on this trust that we have for one another
If we develop and reinforce our mutual trust
Maybe we can make this last a lifetime
We can have a long-lasting relationship if we do so
Lyrics © HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAY LAMONTAGNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind