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.
You Are the Best Thing
Ray LaMontagne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's been a long day, baby
Things ain't been going my way
You now I need you here
You clear my mind all the time
And, baby
The way you move me, it's crazy
And make it easier
Believe me, you don't even have to try
Oh, because
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, baby)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, ooh)
Ever happened to me
Baby
We've come a long way
And, baby
You know I hope and I pray
That you believe me
When I say this love will never fade away
Oh, because
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, baby)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, ooh)
Ever happened to me
Both of us have known love before
To come on up promising like a spring, to walk on out the door
Our words are strong and our hearts are kind
Let me tell you just exactly what's on my mind
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, baby)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, ooh)
Ever happened to me
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, baby)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, ooh)
Ever happened to me
(You are the best thing)
Yeah, yeah
(You are the best thing)
Yeah, yeah, yeah
(You are the best thing)
(That ever happened to me)
Ray LaMontagne's song "You Are the Best Thing" is a romantic ballad about the enduring power of love. The lyrics describe a challenging day where things don't go as planned, but the presence of a loved one is enough to turn it all around. The singer acknowledges that his partner has an uncanny ability to understand him and make everything easier. He declares that the love they have is the best thing that ever happened to him, and that it will never fade away.
The chorus is a repetition of "You are the best thing" and the verses describe different aspects of the relationship. In the second verse, the couple has come a long way together and the singer expresses his hope that their love will stay strong. The bridge acknowledges that they have both known love before, but this time it's different. The love they have is genuine, and the singer knows exactly what he wants to say: "You are the best thing."
Overall, the song is a celebration of love and the transformative power it can have on a person's life. It's a simple message, but one that has resonated with millions of listeners around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby
Addressing his loved one affectionately.
It's been a long day, baby
Expressing that he has had a tough day and is looking forward to his partner's company.
Things ain't been going my way
Acknowledging that things aren't going well for him.
You know I need you here
Stating that he needs his partner's presence to feel better.
You clear my mind all the time
Emphasizing that his partner's presence helps him feel more at ease.
The way you move me, it's crazy
Describing how his partner's actions affect him strongly.
It's like you see right through me
Expressing how well his partner understands him.
And make it easier
Acknowledging how his partner's actions make things easier for him.
Believe me, you don't even have to try
Assuring his partner that they don't have to put in much effort to make him happy.
Oh, because
Starting a new verse to express his appreciation for his partner.
You are the best thing
Explicitly acknowledging that his partner is the best thing in his life.
(You're the best thing)
Repeating the chorus to emphasize the point.
Ever happened to me
Stating that his partner is the best thing that has ever happened to him.
We've come a long way
Acknowledging the journey they have been on together.
And, baby
Addressing his partner lovingly again.
You know I hope and I pray
Expressing his hope and faith in their love.
That you believe me
Assuring his partner that his words are sincere.
When I say this love will never fade away
Stating his commitment that their love will never die.
Both of us have known love before
Acknowledging that they have both loved before.
To come on up promising like a spring, to walk on out the door
Describing how previous relationships have started promisingly but then ended unexpectedly.
Our words are strong and our hearts are kind
Expressing his confidence in their relationship because of their good communication and kind hearts.
Let me tell you just exactly what's on my mind
Opening up and expressing his feelings clearly to his partner.
Yeah, yeah
Responding to his own love and appreciation for his partner.
(That ever happened to me)
Reiterating that his partner is the best thing that has ever happened to him.
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Raycharles Lamontagne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@douae3039
Baby
It's been a long day, baby
Things ain't been going my way
You know I need you here
To clear my mind
All the time
And baby
The way you move me, it's crazy
It's like you see right through me
And make it easier
You please me, you don't even have to try
Oh, because
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, baby)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, ooh)
Ever happened to me
Baby
We've come a long way, baby
You know, I hope and I pray that you believe me
When I say this love will never fade away
Oh, because
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, baby)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, ooh)
Ever happened to me
Both of us have known love before
To come on up promising like the spring
To walk on out the door
Hearts are strong, and our hearts are kind
Well, let me tell you just exactly what's on my mind
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, baby)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, ooh)
Ever happened to me
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, baby)
You are the best thing
(You're the best thing, ooh)
Ever happened to me
You are the best thing
(Yeah, yeah)
You are the best thing
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
You are the best thing
(Now, now, now, now, now)
That ever happened to me
@robertspivey97
My wife, the absolute best thing that ever happened to me, passed away on Jan 13th 2021 of ovarian cancer. Due to Covid we had to delay her funeral to a celebration of life on Jan 30th. Well I had never heard the song until the week after she died in my arms. But I was blown away and Ray's song was the exit song for my sweet precious wife's celebration of life event.
@FrannieFrugal
❤️we are so privileged to have such a love—sometimes more than once in our lives. So sorry for your loss. I know it is devastating as I’ve experienced it myself.
Ps 73:26.
@bernadetteschultz3482
Reading this hurt my heart and I am so sorry for your loss 💔
@KearnCherry
Thank you for sharing that! Powerful!
@briannapulkinen546
My warmest regards☘️
I don’t know what I’d do without my husband/best friend.
May peace and harmony carry you through this difficult journey☘️
@elleelle1888
Are you ok? How are you doing?
@amberbailey4111
My husband passed away on Wednesday, this was the song we danced to on our wedding day. I keep hearing it everywhere..I know that's him letting me know he has been with me all week 💔
@jenniferbullett7254
My condolences to you and family!!!🙏💜
@vtwinvera
Sorry for your loss thank you for sharing!
@tradrodsandcustoms
This was our 1st dance at our wedding as well ❤