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.
Without Words
Ray LaMontagne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They don't know you like I do
They don't know you like I do
Not all of life is cruel
Not all of life is so untrue
Not all of life is so untrue
Light upon the branches
And each in turn
Sing of all God's praises
Without words
Without words
Don't turn it all inside
I don't like to see you cry
I don't like to see you cry
Whispered kisses in your ears
Touch so soft and warm
Confessions all of love for you
(Yes) Without words
Stare into the flame
Until you see beyond the light
All the while, truth was mine
It's with myself, I fight
Sin you've carried like a corpse
Across your back these days
Let it fall away
Let it fall away
Let it fall away
I can hear the morning birds
So light up on the branches
And each in turn
They sing of all God's praises
Yes, without words
Without words
Without words
The lyrics to Ray LaMontagne's Without Words express a deep understanding and appreciation for someone who is going through a difficult time. The singer is telling this person to step outside of the negativity they may be feeling, to not let it consume them. The singer acknowledges that life can be cruel and untrue, but reminds this person that not all of it is. They know this person intimately, and they are telling them that they are there for them, even if they can't fully understand what they're going through. The singer offers comfort through whispered kisses and confessions of love, all without words. They are urging this person to let go of their past struggles and to move forward, encouraging them to let go of the sin they've been carrying like a burden. The singer uses the morning birds singing in the branches as a metaphor for the goodness and beauty that can exist in the world, even when we're struggling.
Overall, Without Words is a song about empathy, connection, and hope. The singer is offering a sense of comfort and assurance to this person, reminding them that there is beauty and love in the world, even when things feel difficult. The song balances a sense of realism with a sense of idealism, acknowledging that life can be cruel while also insisting that there is still good to be found.
Line by Line Meaning
Step outside the sea
Leave behind the overwhelming chaos and find peace
They don't know you like I do
Your true self can only be understood by someone who truly knows you
Not all of life is cruel
Life has its beauty and goodness too
Not all of life is so untrue
Not every moment in life is filled with deception and falsehoods
I can hear the morning birds
Amidst life's distractions, it's important to pause and take in the simple joys
Light upon the branches
The beauty of nature can be found even in the most mundane things
And each in turn
Every living thing has a voice that deserves to be heard
Sing of all God's praises
The universe is a manifestation of something greater than us that deserves reverence
Without words
Silence has a power that words cannot convey
Don't turn it all inside
Bottling up emotions is unhealthy and it's okay to express them
I don't like to see you cry
The pain of seeing a loved one hurt can be unbearable
Whispered kisses in your ears
Sometimes, love is best expressed through gentle, intimate gestures
Touch so soft and warm
Love can provide comfort in a world full of harsh realities
Confessions all of love for you
The vulnerability of expressing love without reservation can be powerful
(Yes) Without words
Sometimes, the most profound expressions of love occur in silence
Stare into the flame
Take the time to reflect and search for greater understanding
Until you see beyond the light
The truth lies beyond what is visible to the naked eye
All the while, truth was mine
The answers we seek are often within ourselves all along
It's with myself, I fight
The biggest obstacles to our own happiness and growth are often within ourselves
Sin you've carried like a corpse
Unaddressed mistakes can weigh heavy on the soul and need to be dealt with
Across your back these days
The burden of past actions can be hard to shake off, but it's important to try
Let it fall away
Release the weight of past mistakes and forgive oneself
I can hear the morning birds
Continuing to appreciate life's simple moments is important no matter what struggles we face
So light up on the branches
Even amidst darkness, beauty can emerge
Yes, without words
Silence can contain deeper truths than words ever could
Without words
The power of silence should not be underestimated
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RAYCHARLES JACK LAMONTAGNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Josiah Newton
literally without words
RUEHK
This isnt even the song hahah
Havendale Blvd
My ears!!