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.
Such A Simple Thing
Ray LaMontagne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can take the pain
Tell me that you mean it
That you won't leave again
Tell me what your heart wants
Such a simple thing
My heart is like paper
I can't make you see
If you don't by now
I'll get through these chains
Some how, some how
Take it if you want it
Im so tired I just don't care
Can't you see how much you hurt me?
It's like I wasn't there
Tell me what your heart wants
Such a simple thing
My heart is like paper
Yours is like a flame
My heart is like paper
Yours is like a flame
I can't make you see
If you don't by now
I'll get through these chains
Some how, some how
Tell me what your heart wants
Such a simple thing
My heart is like paper
Yours is like a flame
My heart is like paper
Yours is like a flame
"Such A Simple Thing" by Ray LaMontagne is a song about a lover who has left and now wants to come back, but the singer is wary because they fear getting hurt again. The song opens with the singer asking their lover to tell them what they're feeling and that they can take the pain. The singer then asks the lover to tell them that they mean it and that they won't leave again. The chorus beseeches the lover to tell the singer what their heart wants, which is seen as a simple thing. The singer then compares their heart to paper and that of their lover to flame, implying that the lover could hurt or destroy them easily.
The second verse reinforces the singer's feelings of vulnerability and powerlessness. The singer cannot make the lover see what they have to offer, and the chains of heartbreak weigh them down. The pre-chorus repeats from the first verse, as the singer continues to ask their lover what they want from them. Finally, the song ends with the singer proclaiming that they will get through the chains and that they still love the lover despite everything.
The entire song is an emotionally charged back-and-forth between the singer and the lover. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, showcasing the angst and determination of someone seeking to reconcile with a former love. The repeated refrain of "my heart is like paper, yours is like a flame" creates a vivid image of the singer's emotional state, and the contrast between their vulnerability and the lover's potential to destroy them.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me what you're feeling
Express your emotions to me
I can take the pain
I am here to support you through difficult times
Tell me that you mean it
Assure me that your words are truthful
That you won't leave again
Promise not to abandon me like before
Tell me what your heart wants
Share your desires and intentions with me
Such a simple thing
It should be easy to communicate your heart's desires
My heart is like paper
My heart is fragile and delicate
Yours is like a flame
Your heart is passionate and powerful
I can't make you see
I cannot force you to understand my perspective
If you don't by now
If you still don't understand after everything we've been through
I'll get through these chains
I will find a way to break free from this emotional bondage
Some how, some how
I will overcome these obstacles, no matter what it takes
Take it if you want it
These feelings are available to you if you choose to accept them
Im so tired I just don't care
I am exhausted from the emotional strain of this relationship
Can't you see how much you hurt me?
Do you not realize the pain and sorrow you are causing me?
It's like I wasn't there
Your actions have made me feel invisible and insignificant
My heart is like paper
My heart is fragile and delicate
Yours is like a flame
Your heart is passionate and powerful
I can't make you see
I cannot force you to understand my perspective
If you don't by now
If you still don't understand after everything we've been through
I'll get through these chains
I will find a way to break free from this emotional bondage
Some how, some how
I will overcome these obstacles, no matter what it takes
Tell me what your heart wants
Share your desires and intentions with me
Such a simple thing
It should be easy to communicate your heart's desires
My heart is like paper
My heart is fragile and delicate
Yours is like a flame
Your heart is passionate and powerful
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ray Charles LaMontagne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brightideas5782
"Such A Simple Thing"
Tell me what you're feeling
I can take the pain
Tell me that you mean it
That you won't leave again
Tell me what your heart wants
Such a simple thing
My heart is like paper
Yours is like a flame
I can't make you see
If you don't by now
I'll get through these chains
Somehow, somehow
Take it if you want it
Im so tired I just don't care
Can't you see how much you hurt me?
It's like I wasn't there
Tell me what your heart wants
Such a simple thing
My heart is like paper
Yours is like a flame
My heart is like paper
Yours is like a flame
I can't make you see
If you don't by now
I'll get through these chains
Somehow, somehow
Tell me what your heart wants
Such a simple thing
My heart is like paper
Yours is like a flame
My heart is like paper
Yours is like a flame 🔥
@delwyngomes4640
Tell me what you're feeling
I can take the pain
Tell me that you mean it
That you won't leave again
Tell me what your heart wants
Such a simple thing
My heart, it's like paper
Yours is like a flame
My heart, it's like paper
Yours is like a flame
I can't make you see
If you don't by now
I'll get through these changes
Somehow
Somehow
Take it if you want it
I'm so tired, I just don't care
Can't you see how much you hurt me
It's like I wasn't there
Tell me what your heart wants
Such a simple thing
My heart, it's like paper
Yours is like a flame
I can't make you see
If you don't by now
I'll get through these changes
Somehow
Somehow
Tell me what your heart wants
Such a simple thing
My heart, it's like paper
Yours is like a flame
My heart, it's like paper
Yours is like a flame
@brownkemosabe
On June 24th, 2020, I lost my beloved, darling friend Anna Marie. Only hours before she died, she spoke to me on the phone (we were literally on opposite sides of the world).
The last thing she said to me was, "I love you Karan, and it's nice to hear that you love me too. It's always nice to hear that. I think we would have been much happier if we lived closer to each other."
We loved each other very much, and even though I had left the United States and returned to India, she would still write and record songs and send them to me, and send me pictures of her canvas, because she was an exemplary artist and musician.
I will love my Anna forever, and I will never forget her. She was kind, compassionate, and caring, and an incredibly talented woman. But when she needed the world to be there for her, she felt alone. I wish I could have done more.
I will love my Anna forever, and she will live on in my memories, and thanks to your music, Mr. Montagne, through this song.
@PrinceOreoTheSavage
This touches my heart and soul . I'm an recovered addict . been sober for almost 12 years . But now I've been watching my sister battle alcoholism and mental illness for many years . Ive done everything I can think of . Fought , loved , begged . Its been heart wrenching . watching her lose herself . Because this is not who she is .
She checked her self into a treatment facility yesterday and I'm so relieved ... but my heart still hurts because I know she has a long road ahead of her . Please send prayers
@maryhopkins9719
prayers for your sister 🙏🏻 and for you . I'm sitting in the ICU and my sister's been on a ventilator after multiple embolic strokes . They took her off the ventilator and now we wait 🙏🏻.
@aliciaxrb
Sending the most love and light for your sister, I know deep in my bones the love you sent her has helped her in her journey to recovery. ♥️ blessings, healing, happiness that belong divinely to her, in grace and in magical ways. Namaste
@emsc920
Hope she is doing well a year on, blessings from a recovering addict...
Love and blessings from Jerusalem Israel 🤍💙
@paololeardi337
All my positive energy to you both!✌
@phyllisjorembert8614
Good job! Your not alone....straight n sober AGAIN 8 YEARS.....Do NOT miss it. Quit cigarettes 22 days.... praying 🙏 for you and your sister ...
God 🌸 bless...
@sanj924
This is such a touching, heartwrenching song.
Simply stunning.
"Can't you see how much you hurt me?
It's like I wasn't there"
Thank you, Ray, for this song...
@dc9291
speaks profoundly to everyone. In my mind I sing "my hearts like paper yours is like wood" flame is good to.
@joannademore1540
@d c 🔥♥️🔥
@joannademore1540
🔥🎚♥️🕊