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.
Lead Me On
Ray LaMontagne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You told me the sky was blue
How was I to know you're lying
I never should have put my trust in you
'Cause you lead me on
And all I really wanna do is follow you
Yes, you lead me on
Yes, you know it's true
Nothing to say to no one
Nothing to say to you
Go on your way with someone
Go on your way with someone new
'Cause you lead me on
And all I really wanna do is follow you
Yes, you lead me on
And all I really wanna do is follow you
And so I do
The lyrics of "Lead Me On" by Ray LaMontagne convey feelings of betrayal and disappointment in a relationship. The first stanza describes a person who has been lied to by their partner. The partner tells them that the sun is shining and the sky is blue, but the person realizes later on that this was not true. The second stanza is about the aftermath of realizing the betrayal. The person acknowledges that they should not have trusted their partner and has nothing left to say to them. It is clear that the second stanza is a response to the first, reflecting the resolution of feelings towards the relationship that has gone sour.
The lyrics use simplistic, yet effective, language to convey complex emotions. The repetition of the line, "All I really wanna do is follow you," in the chorus creates a sense of longing and desperation. The repetition also emphasizes the power dynamic between the two characters, with one leading and the other following. The use of these simple, powerful lines is typical of LaMontagne's style, which is often characterized by his soulful voice and introspective lyrics.
Overall, "Lead Me On" is a song about how trusting someone can lead to disappointment, but it also reveals the emotional struggles that come with trying to let someone go. It is an emotional roller coaster and a poignant reminder that relationships are never easy.
Line by Line Meaning
You told me the sun was shining
You once told me it was a beautiful day out
You told me the sky was blue
You once mentioned the sky had a lovely blue tone
How was I to know you're lying
I didn't realize that you were deceiving me
I never should have put my trust in you
I regret relying on you
'Cause you lead me on
Your misleading actions led me to believe something untrue
And all I really wanna do is follow you
Despite your betrayal, I still desire to be with you
Yes, you lead me on
You intentionally gave me false signals
And all I really wanna do is follow you
I am still drawn to you, even though you hurt me
Yes, you know it's true
You are aware of the hold you have over me
Nothing to say to no one
I have no words for anyone
Nothing to say to you
I have nothing to say to you
Go on your way with someone
You should leave with someone else
Go on your way with someone new
You should start a new relationship with another person
'Cause you lead me on
Your misleading actions led me to feel rejected
And all I really wanna do is follow you
I still have a strong inclination to be with you
And so I do
So despite everything, I continue to follow you
Writer(s): RAYCHARLES JACK LAMONTAGNE
Contributed by Harper J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.