Ray Lamontagne Quotes

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

I have been to hell & back so many times I must admit you kinda bore me," by Ray Lamontagne "Empty.

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 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.

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.

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

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

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 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.

I want to be in control of my own destiny.

I'm very uncomfortable in my own skin.

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

My backstory is so tedious.

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'm a very emotional person.

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.

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

Every song asks to be sung in a different way.

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

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

And when all your faith is gone let it be me, if it's a friend you need let it be me

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

And baby, the way you move me it's crazy

But everything I have to give, I'll give to you

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

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

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

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.

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