Ray Lamontagne Quotes

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.

- Ray LaMontagne

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.

- Ray LaMontagne

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

- Ray LaMontagne

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

- Ray LaMontagne

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.

- Ray LaMontagne

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

- Ray LaMontagne

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

- Ray LaMontagne

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.

- Ray LaMontagne

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

- Ray LaMontagne

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

- Ray LaMontagne

I want to write music that will outlive me.

- Ray LaMontagne

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.

- Ray LaMontagne

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

- Ray LaMontagne

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

- Ray LaMontagne

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.

- Ray LaMontagne

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.

- Ray LaMontagne

Every song asks to be sung in a different way.

- Ray LaMontagne

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.

- Ray LaMontagne

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.

- Ray LaMontagne

I'm very uncomfortable in my own skin.

- Ray LaMontagne

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

- Ray LaMontagne

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

- Ray LaMontagne

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

- Ray LaMontagne

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.

- Ray LaMontagne

My backstory is so tedious.

- Ray LaMontagne

I'm a private person.

- Ray LaMontagne

I feel calm when I'm on my own.

- Ray LaMontagne

I want to be in control of my own destiny.

- Ray LaMontagne