Ray LaMontagne Quotations

There's a real sense of desperation when you grow up in poverty.

You can make bad choices and find yourself in a downward spiral or you can find something that gets you out of it.

The thing I love about music is that you can take things that are painful, deep things that hurt you, and you can turn them into something beautiful.

I always felt, as a listener at a show, that when there was too much banter between the artist and the audience that it detracted from the show. I more enjoyed shows where the guys came out and they just played.

You have to believe in yourself before anybody else believes in you.

We all have that inner voice that is wise, even if we don't always follow it. It's that voice I'm trying to listen to.

I probably wouldn't be a songwriter if I didn't grow up the way I did. It was difficult and it was at times very scary to grow up in a household so unsettled and at times very violent. But, it also, I guess it earned me a sort of wisdom at a young age that's served me well.

I am very self-critical, but that's a good thing because it keeps me growing as a human being and as a musician.

I need space between me and the audience - and the more space the better.

Writing songs is not something I wanted to share with people for a long time. It was precious to me. I didnt want someone to crush it. I waited until I felt strong enough to take the criticism.

Social situations, for me - it's very natural for me to be an observer. That's where I'm most comfortable. I observe things.

I can't get excited by my own music. It's impossible.

I want to be in control of my own destiny.

When I pick up the guitar, it's a melody, and that's what drives the lyrics. It's bits and pieces of truth, but it is storytelling.

In order to get a note out, I have to dig deep, and I mean that on an emotional level. To physically sing, I have to get somewhere deep before I can do it.

The label doesn't do anything but put your record in the store, that's all they do. And tell you, you don't have a single... and tell you, it's not gonna sell... that's what the label does.

Well... you know, I love motorcycles. They're just beautiful, and there's a certain craftsmanship in older bikes, older Triumphs or BSAs or Norton. I'm just very attracted to it.

I'd much rather be playing songs than talking to people.

It bugs me that people think my songs are personal because it means I have to explain myself all the time.

Every song asks to be sung in a different way.

I don't like myself, and I don't like to be looked at.

I don't really think of myself as a folk singer.

I feel calm when I'm on my own.

I was really lost for a while in my teens. I was angry. But when I found music - Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell - it was a new discovery. It was a door to this other world where I wanted to be.

My backstory is so tedious.

Now the wren has gone to roost and the sky is turnin' gold Turnin' from the past, at last and all I've left behind.

My voice sucks. I don't like the tone.

I'm very uncomfortable in my own skin.

I refused then like I do now to let anybody tie me down

When I think of folk music, I think of topical songs. And I don't write topical songs.

I have a strong sense of self, but that's not a negative thing.

I'm a private person.

I want to write music that will outlive me.

It's so easy to get caught up in your own experiences. They can seem so important. But there are billions and billions of other experiences going on.

I never learned to count my blessings I choose instead to dwell in my disasters

I'm a very emotional person.

Well it's the hurt I hide that fuels the fires inside me

There's nothing in the world so sad as talking to a man who never knew his life was his for making.

Well, I looked my demons in the eyes laid bare my chest, said 'Do your best, destroy me. You see, I’ve been to hell and back so many times, I must admit you kind of bore me.

Don't let your eyes refuse to seeDon't let your ears refuse to hear