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.
Shelter
Ray LaMontagne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess you don't want me to repeat it
But everything I have to give I'll give to you
It's not like we planned it
You tried to stay, but you could not stand it
To see me shut down slow
As though it was an easy thing to do
All of this around us will fall over
I tell you what we're gonna do
Hey, you will shelter me, my love
And I, I will shelter you
I will shelter you
I left you heartbroken
But not until those very words were spoken
Has anybody ever made such a fool out of you
It's hard to believe it
Even as my eyes do see it
The very things that make you live are killing you
Listen when all of this around us will fall over
I tell you what we're gonna do
Hey, you will shelter me, my love
And I, I will shelter you
I will shelter you
I will shelter you
I will shelter you
I will shelter you
Listen when
All of this around us will fall over
I tell you what we're gonna do
Hey, you will shelter me, my love
And I, I will shelter you
If you shelter me too
I will shelter you
I will shelter you
The lyrics of Shelter by Ray LaMontagne convey a deep sense of love, trust, and emotional security between two individuals. The opening verse of the song suggests that the singer is willing to bestow everything he has to offer upon the person he is addressing. The following verse explains that while it was not part of their plan to fall in love, it happened nevertheless. The partner of the singer has tried to remain with him, but seeing him shut down slowly has been too much to bear.
The pre-chorus of the song declares a warning that everything around them will fall apart. It can imply the fall of society or maybe the changes in the relationship between the singer and his lover. The chorus is a declaration of mutual support and protection between them. They vow to protect each other, no matter what changes come their way. The lyrics suggest that the two of them are ready to face the world together and protect each other, even as everything else falls apart.
Overall, the song Shelter talks about the power of love in providing emotional support and protection in difficult times. The lyrics show how two people can rely on each other, bringing comfort and security to their lives. The song's soulful melody and the way Ray LaMontagne's voice conveys the song's emotional depth perfectly captures this message.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess you don't need it
I understand that you don't require it
I guess you don't want me to repeat it
I assume that you don't wish for me to say it again
But everything I have to give I'll give to you
All that I possess, I'll offer to you
It's not like we planned it
This wasn't what we intended
You tried to stay, but you could not stand it
You attempted to remain, but found it unbearable
To see me shut down slow
It hurt to witness me slowly withdraw
As though it was an easy thing to do
As if shutting down was simple
Listen when
Pay attention because
All of this around us will fall over
The world may crumble
I tell you what we're gonna do
Let me tell you my plan
Hey, you will shelter me, my love
You'll protect me, my beloved
And I, I will shelter you
And I'll safeguard you
I left you heartbroken
I caused you pain and sorrow
But not until those very words were spoken
But that wasn't until I articulated those words
Has anybody ever made such a fool out of you
Has anyone else made you feel so foolish
It's hard to believe it
It's difficult to comprehend
Even as my eyes do see it
Despite witnessing it firsthand
The very things that make you live are killing you
The things that allow you to exist are harming you
If you shelter me too
If you guard me as well
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Ray LaMontagne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nomaanhaque1704
Lyrics:
"I guess you don't need it
I guess you don't want me to repeat it
But everything I have to give I'll give to you
It's not like we planned it
You tried to stay, but you could not stand it
To see me shut down slow as though
It was an easy thing to do
Listen when all of this around us will fall over
I tell you what we're gonna do
Hey
You will shelter me, my love
And I, I will shelter you, oh
I will shelter you
I left you heartbroken
But not until those very words were spoken
Has anybody ever made such a fool outta you
It's hard to believe it
Even as my eyes do see it
The very things that made you live, they're killing you
Listen when all of this around us will fall over
I tell you what we're gonna do
Hey
You will shelter me, my love
And I, I will shelter you
I will shelter you
I will shelter you
I will shelter you
I will shelter you
Listen when all of this around us will fall over
I tell you what we're gonna do
Hey
You will shelter me, my love
And I, I will shelter you
If you shelter me, too
I will shelter you
I will shelter you"
@thechicantique4567
If I'm ever meant to find love again, I imagine he'd have to share my deep love for Ray's music. 🤔😉🖤
@Micronism.
Life's hard at times... blessed be those who shelter you.
@yurikamnz
Can't express how much I love this.
@kevinkelley4211
So beautiful
@dominicchester0328
Yeah love his music hope you all are safe out there!
@LisLot9
Me too. I just discovered Ray Montagne and this lovely song last week. I've already sent it to a couple of my friends and I play every day.
@idrissaebrahim3261
My nephew played this song for me on his guitar and sang it word for word as my exhaustion seeped from my weary weariness. Thank you Ray❤
@Ac0ustics0ul
This man is so gifted
@scarlatteford135
Amen
@MoonStar-fq6oy
Ray the singing voice is like a Cool Breeze wrapped around the body with tenderness ❤️✌️