Ray Lamontagne may not be a household name however, he’s right there with the greats like John Legend, Etta James, and Ed Sheeran when it comes to wedding songs. Never heard of him?
Don’t worry, because most people planning their weddings haven’t either until it’s time to curate a playlist that leaves a lasting impression. Stick around because, in this article, we’ll dive into 10 Ray Lamontagne wedding songs that are sure to bring your search to an abrupt end.
After all, Ray Lamontagne is one of Spotify’s most popular wedding artists!
Brief History of Ray Lamontagne
Unlike most popular and renowned musicians that know from childhood that their voices will be heard through their music, Ray Lamontagne stumbled onto a music career when he was well into his adulthood.
Lamontagne had settled into his life as a worker at a shoe factory when he woke up to the song ‘Tree Top Flyer’by Stephen. Still, it was as though a light bulb went off in his mind as he became intrigued with the genre and decided he had found his life’s work.
After days on end digging through stacks of records in the folk, rock, and soul genres, Lamontagne taught himself how to play and sing along to the song “It Was a Feeling” on his guitar. He recorded a few home demos and played at coffee shops and bars while working part-time as a tutor until he met Ron Clayton who got him an album deal.
Lamontagne has since released eight studio albums and has been compared to class acts like Otis Redding and Ryan Adams. His raspy voice and soulful tune have been hailed over the years.
Here are 10 Ray Lamontagne wedding songs that explain why he was a top 10 pick on Spotify’s top 10 wedding songs of 2014.
Top 10 Ray Lamontagne Wedding Songs
Are you looking for the ultimate play list for your wedding day? Don’t miss out on these other top posts:
1. You Are the Best Thing
Best Lyrics: “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”
This song was released in 2008 as the lead single for the album Gossip in the Grain and was a top 5 hit on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Chart. It also made an appearance on Billboard’s Hot 100 Charts at number 90 as is the only song by Ray Lamontagne to appear on this chart.
This song is a highly favored first dance song amongst couples as it captures the appreciation for each other on the most special day of your relationship so far. It can also be played during the procession to intensify the romance of the moment.
2. Hold You in My Arms
Best Lyrics: “I could hold you in my arms/ I could hold you forever/ And I could hold you in my arms/ Oh I could hold you forever”
This song was released in 2004 as the third single in the album Trouble which was Ray Lamontagne’s debut album. The song didn’t make a lot of noise on the charts however, it holds a wonderful message.
It carries a hint of sadness but speaks of always having a safe place to hold on to throughout life. It’s a great recessional song and could even be played as part of the first dance number.
3. I Was Born To Love You
Best Lyrics; “I want to love you, I love every little thing about you/ I want to love you, love you, love you/ Born to love you, born to love you, yes I was born to love you/ Born to love you, born to love you every single day of my life/ I was born to take care of you every single day of my life”
This song was released in 2020 as the second single on the album Monovision. It was then re-released as a duet in 2022 with Sierra Ferrel
Whether you choose the original or the duet version for your first dance, the song captures the essence of love in its truest form. For this song, we stand behind the duet because the blending of these two beautiful moments is as magical as your special day.
4. Let It Be Me
Best Lyrics; “That’s when you need someone/ Someone that you, you can call/ When all your faith is gone/ And it feels like you can’t go on/ Let it be me/ Let it be me/ If it’s a friend that you need/ Let it be me”
This song was released in 2008 as the second track on the album Gossip in the Grain. It’s a song echoing the “for better for worse” section of the wedding vows and a promise to be a shoulder to lean on and a friend to hold on to when life’s challenges come by.
This song is great for a romantic first dance or as part of the processional playlist.
5. Be Here Now
Best Lyrics; “Be here now, be here now/ Be…/ Be here now, be here now/ Don’t lose your faith in me”
This song was released in 2008 as a bonus track on the album Gossip on the Grain. It was unveiled as a live performance and is a long and slow song that deserves a moment. This song can be played as part of the bridal procession, when signing the wedding register, or even as a background song throughout your wedding ceremony.
6. It’s Always Been You
Best Lyrics; Since the first thrust of the sea/ Life stemmed upon the shore/ Since the first breath filled these lungs/ Left them wanting more/ Since the first your lips met mine/ Soft as morning dew/ It’s been you, it’s always been you/ It’s always been you”
This song was released in 2018 as the fourth single on the album Part of the Light. This song is perfect for the wedding vibe and can be added to as part of your reception playlist. It wasn’t as popular as the lead single for the album, however, that doesn’t mean we have to appreciate it less.
7. Supernova
Best Lyrics; “I want you to be my girl/ I want you to be my girl/ So we touched a Supernova/ So we touched a Supernova”
This song was released in 2014 as the lead single for the album Supernova. It’s a fun song that taps into the nostalgic 80s musical scene. This song can be a first dance song or simply added to the playlist to open up the dance floor so you and your guests can enjoy this tune together.
8. Forever my friend
Best Lyrics; “Forever my love/ Forever the woman that I’m thinking of/ I just think if we keep our hearts together/ Just think if we build on this trust that we have for one another/ Baby we can make this last a lifetime”
This song was released in 2004 as the sixth single on the album Trouble and is a great song to remind each other of your love and willingness to last a lifetime on your special day. It can be played as part of your first dance or recessional and is long enough to let you get lost in the moment.
9. Truly, Madly, Deeply
This song was released in 2006 as an instrumental track on the album Till the Sun Turn Black. It’s a great track to fill that awkward gap when you can’t seem to find a song that lyrically matches what you have in mind.
It can be used during the processional, reception entry, or even in between speeches. As it’s an instrumental, it would sound even better as played live. If a live band is in the budget for your wedding, you can suggest adding this to their playlist.
10. Without Words
Best Lyrics; “I can hear the morning birds/ Light upon the branches/ And each, in turn/ Sing of all God’s praises/ Without words/ Without words”
This song was released in 2014 as a soundtrack single for the movie ‘’ The Fault in Our Stars.’ While we rarely recommend soundtrack singles as part of the wedding playlist, this one may just be the exception.
This song has a romantic vibe and is great for couples that aim to have an entirely Christian-motivated playlist.
Final Thoughts
We know that combing through hundreds of records to find songs that match the vibe you want at your wedding can be pretty hectic. We hope that this breakdown of some of the best Ray Lamontagne wedding songs will make adding soul to your wedding a little easier.
FAQs
Why hasn’t Ray Lamontagne not made it as a mainstream artist?
Ray Lamontagne may not be an A-lister in pop culture, however, he is still quite popular within his genre. After all, he still has a record deal with RCA and a loyal fan base that flocks to his website for merch and updates.
Lamontagne is also a private guy and rarely does interviews or goes on media tours which is why he continues to fly under the radar for most people.
What is folk music?
Folk music is music that takes inspiration from traditional cultures whether of a region, ethnicity, or pop culture by including traditional melodies, tunes, and instruments.
Artists dabbing in this writing style usually combine traditional with modern styles to capture the essence of how far the style has come.
Did Ray Lamontagne win a Grammy?
Despite being what would pass as an underground artist, Ray Lamontagne is a Grammy Award winner. Lamonatgne and The Pariah Dogs were nominated in 2011 and won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album for God Willin’& The Creek Don’t Rise.
Does Ray Lamontagne do live performances?
Yes, Ray Lamontagne is still a touring artist! If you’re intrigued by his discography and want to hear him live, you’re in luck because he is set to tour in the Fall of 2023 with a fan-requested setlist. You are free to take a look at his website for more details.
Serena & Dominic are a married couple and parents to 3 wonderful children. They plan weddings, run multiple small businesses, and curate wedding events.
By giving you everything you need to make your dream wedding attainable, you can eliminate stress, get the ‘wedding glow,’ and focus on spending this rocking day with the person you adore. Discover their podcast for more information
