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September 25, 2008

New Ray LaMontagne - "Meg White"

thubmnail icon: New Ray LaMontagne - "Meg White"

If you're gonna write a song to woo Meg White, doing it while Jack is busy Bonding with Alicia is probably as good a time as any. Savvy, LaMontagne. The "Crazy" coverer and hailed troubadour has a new record out next month called Gossip In The Grain, and if he doesn't sound as tortured as in the past, maybe it's because he's found a reason to get up in the morning. "Meg White" opens with spaghetti western whistles and strums before Ray kicks up some gossip in the grain by inviting Ms. White on long bike rides, romancing her with compliments ("Meg White, such a pretty sight"), and finding a way to hit on her rather diplomatically. ("Baby you're the bomb. Oh Jack is great, don't get me wrong. But this is your song.") All of this is real, by the way.

See? Word is Meg has heard the song, and was touched, and has accepted Ray's invitation to his upcoming show in Detroit. Gossip In The Grain indeed. The record is out 10/14 via RCA. Preorder at iTunes.

Posted at 11:16 AM by amrit
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88 Comments

like the song, but the lyrics are a bit ridiculous. a little less than i have come to expect from ray.

Posted by: reido at 09/25/08 11:43 AM | Reply
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Anyone who dislikes this song sucks. Plain and simple

Posted by: Lia Kehoe in reply to reido's comment at 09/25/08 1:49 PM | Reply
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i have a boner.

Posted by: reido in reply to Lia Kehoe's comment at 09/27/08 2:18 PM | Reply
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well call me mr. suck cause this is the worst songwriting i've heard in a long time. his voice is ok but his delivery compounds the problems as he tries to overcompensate for the awful lyrics. don't get me wrong, i love ray, i just think he's much better here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2b1D5w82yU

Posted by: man in reply to Lia Kehoe's comment at 10/02/08 12:42 AM | Reply
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wow ray, times are tough! she must be paying his bills. gigolo lamontagne! lyrical diarrhea

Posted by: Dave Carlson at 09/25/08 11:56 AM | Reply
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oh, can't the man have a little fun for a change? great song

Posted by: LemmyRamone profile link at 09/25/08 11:59 AM | Reply
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sounds like ray wants to make himself a Meg suit. "Say, what are you about a size 14??"

Posted by: ev at 09/25/08 12:03 PM | Reply
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I agree with Lemmy......Have fun Ray! I think this song is entertaining and I bet the able will be insane........

Posted by: JP at 09/25/08 12:06 PM | Reply
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Look at her great big...cymbals! It's no surprise Ray would go for her.

Posted by: Stephen B profile link at 09/25/08 12:10 PM | Reply
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hahaha, I really like this.

Already WAY better than his last record. Now I'm actually excited for this record

Posted by: Evan at 09/25/08 12:25 PM | Reply
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Has anyone seen the video for Ray's "You Are The Best Thing" ?

WOW

Posted by: uwmryan at 09/25/08 12:37 PM | Reply
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this is the stupidest piece of trash i ever heard.

Posted by: daniel at 09/25/08 12:49 PM | Reply
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If this song was a soda, it'd be Diet Canfield's Peanut Chocolate Fudge. Gross.

Posted by: Cold Splinters at 09/25/08 12:54 PM | Reply
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forget this
call me when it's a sex tape

Posted by: brandon depp at 09/25/08 1:04 PM | Reply
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evan, i thought his last record was stunning. he's having a little more fun on this, which is nice, but i doubt the new record will touch the beautiful darkness of "Til The Sun Turns Black"

Posted by: dave at 09/25/08 1:07 PM | Reply
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I foresee myself skipping this song or maybe just deleting if off of my itunes list so I wont have to listen to it...and I don't skip Ray's songs. He should have spared us and just sent her a mixed tape. Yuck,

Posted by: KB at 09/25/08 1:07 PM | Reply
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love it! he never stays in one place. glad he is still doing what he feels like doing regardless of all the boo-hoo babies afraid of change. end of story is its one song, he's still writing brilliant material too. its good to hear him having fun!!

Posted by: ebbb at 09/25/08 2:05 PM | Reply
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The biggest tribute to meg white is the simple hammer down drums.

Posted by: torche at 09/25/08 2:22 PM | Reply
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hahaha so so true

Posted by: samamama in reply to torche's comment at 09/25/08 2:52 PM | Reply
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Ok... how can anyone not find that song entertaining??? I mean, have so many people actually sunken that deeply into their own self-inflicted hatred of everything that doesn't leave them in constant state of melancholy that they actually can't find that song entertaining! Seriouly? That song is great! Just ask Meg.....

Posted by: MR at 09/25/08 2:42 PM | Reply
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She has large breasts.

Posted by: Sean Jean at 09/25/08 3:03 PM | Reply
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I don't even know what to think of this. Can't wait till the album drops.

Posted by: soulremedy at 09/25/08 3:18 PM | Reply
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Ray is way behind the times. We were writing creepy songs about Meg White a year ago: http://myspace.com/2handedengine

Posted by: Two-Handed Engine at 09/25/08 3:21 PM | Reply
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He's married though right? Not the sneakiest way to go after another woman.

Posted by: jaird at 09/25/08 4:15 PM | Reply
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This song sucks donkey cock compared to A REAL ROCK N ROLL SONG about meg white done properly by Sikamor Rooney outta new jersey.

www.myspace.com/sikamorrooney
CHECK OUT MEG WHITE

Posted by: Lucas Hildebrand at 09/25/08 4:50 PM | Reply
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check out that sideboob

Posted by: petergriffin at 09/25/08 4:55 PM | Reply
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I'd hit it.

Posted by: Greg at 09/25/08 4:58 PM | Reply
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ray is a hottie

Posted by: canyouhelpme in reply to Greg's comment at 09/25/08 11:25 PM | Reply
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Hmmm gotta say I don't see the attraction other than the large cans...she's a bit pasty-faced indie girl...not that there's anything wrong with that. Ray on the other hand is another story (beard n'all)....

Posted by: Irving at 09/25/08 5:21 PM | Reply
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Awwww, this song is great, maybe the most fun Ray has had on an album!!!

Posted by: pennylanebandaid at 09/25/08 5:27 PM | Reply
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I love this song. There is so much more power on Ray's new album, but still relentlessly romantic. I've already preordered the album, but this song makes me wanna get a second copy.

Posted by: gregmo at 09/25/08 5:27 PM | Reply
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Probably the worst Ray Lamontagne song to date...and I've heard them all...but i'm still excited about the cd

Posted by: AZ at 09/25/08 5:39 PM | Reply
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this song isn't that good

Posted by: foundmyrosebud01 profile link at 09/25/08 5:50 PM | Reply
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sounds like ray has been on a bit of a beatles kick

Posted by: Anon at 09/25/08 6:09 PM | Reply
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kinda sounds like a bad Gomez song

Posted by: Nick profile link at 09/25/08 6:10 PM | Reply
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That's funny because Ray is a huge fan of Gomez!

Posted by: Charlie in reply to Nick's comment at 10/24/08 11:59 AM | Reply
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The Other Matthew

Hey, back off, Ray. I was lusting after Meg long before you were even... uh, lusting after Meg. Well, if it cheers her up and helps bring her out of her vague funk, it can't be a bad thing. (And speaking of not-bad things, nice header picture. Wow.)

But still... Meg? Call me?

Posted by: The Other Matthew profile link at 09/25/08 6:41 PM | Reply
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ol Ray has been watching Kelly's Heroes there

Posted by: mister lau at 09/25/08 6:51 PM | Reply
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You've gotta love an artist who can relax enough to write a 'fun song'. He is amazing and I would never bash anything he wrote. Having said that, the music video for "You are the Best Thing" seems like an ad for middle-aged-business-people's bed sheets and I forsee it being used in a Viagra ad. But, all the better for him. He writes killer tracks, so he deserves to make millions when companies want to exploit his masterpiece.

Posted by: Cazzy at 09/25/08 7:09 PM | Reply
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It's a beautiful song. Very respectful of her and her drumming style. And I agree with him that Meg stole Jack's scene in Coffee And Cigarettes.

Posted by: mitchell at 09/25/08 8:31 PM | Reply
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I love "You are the Best Thing"and I think that Meg White is a great, silly departure from the serious love ballad. Obviously he understands that music doesn't always have to be serious, that it can still be a good song, without the dire overtones.

And Cazzy, I couldn't agree more.....

Posted by: TheElephant profile link at 09/25/08 8:37 PM | Reply
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You people should have some more respect....try listening to the song with you eyes closed maybe... you can envision what he is singing about and it becomes a story and a tribute of sorts... it is Ray, in his thoughts, and his unique voice, and story telling. You can't be a true fan of his if you want to skip this song.
And really it is new and everyone hates new and change... it will grow and you the more you listen and maybe you will begin to feel what he is feeling when he sings it... give it a chance people! Why so negative???
It is lovely and personal and he has shared it with us...xo

Posted by: Beetz at 09/25/08 9:13 PM | Reply
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ElliotP

I'd bet this song makes about a billion girls jealous

Posted by: ElliotP profile link at 09/25/08 9:20 PM | Reply
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This song isn't Ray's best to say the least, but geez, calm down with the insults. Let the man live a little. And if you're soooo worried about the album go to this link and listen to a live version of "Let it Be Me." Your worries will disappear in a heartbeat.

http://www.hotlinkfiles.com/files/1706687_wihfq/LetitBeMe.mp3

Posted by: Tim at 09/25/08 9:41 PM | Reply
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OMGZ RAY LAMONTAGNE WROTEZ A FUKKEN FUN HAPPI NOT-SAD SONG!!! HE SUXX0RZ NOW!!!1! WUT A FUCCKN SELLOUT!!!1

Posted by: SQUID BRAINS at 09/25/08 9:41 PM | Reply
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man, this is waaaaaaaay old... my dickaround band from back in the day did a cover of Be My Baby and re-wrote it as Be My Meg White... in like 2004.
it's up at http://myspace.com/stfunz

Posted by: autistk at 09/25/08 11:04 PM | Reply
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I'm not alone?

Posted by: canyouhelpme at 09/25/08 11:18 PM | Reply
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LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the song! Anything by Ray is amazing!

Posted by: LOVE RAY at 09/26/08 2:09 AM | Reply
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I hated it! was like an extended beer commercial - or a wine, or jeans, or condoms....yuck - he needs to go back to his roots!

Posted by: CA at 09/26/08 9:27 AM | Reply
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How can you not LOVE this?! A different side of Ray completely.

Posted by: mtnlaurel at 09/26/08 10:06 AM | Reply
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How can you NOT love this?!
A whole new side of Ray, I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! And GO MEG for inspiring him.

Posted by: mtnlaurel at 09/26/08 10:09 AM | Reply
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Its sweet, but a little bit dorky. Not at all what I would expect from Ray. Still looking forward to his new album though. Although I agree with another person here that said this is easily a song I'll be skipping when I listen to the album.

I guess he achieves what he wanted with this. Lots o attention. This is probably the most comments Ray's had here in all the posts about him put together.

Posted by: karl at 09/26/08 10:17 AM | Reply
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not sure what to think.. must be a joke.

Posted by: craig at 09/26/08 10:37 AM | Reply
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Personally I love Ray's music, I've had the opportunity to chat with him twice, once over beers while he was here in Toronto. He is a very shy person and this shows us a side of him that he hardly ever reveals. I can't wait for him to come back here on October 7th. I love the people who write him off because of this song...I always love the way Ray tells a story through his songs...cheers all,

Posted by: Sean McManus at 09/26/08 12:33 PM | Reply
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Is it possible to suddenly hate Meg White and want to be here at the same time?

Posted by: Jen at 09/26/08 5:27 PM | Reply
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Her. Be HER. That'll teach me not to proof-read.

Posted by: Jen at 09/26/08 5:29 PM | Reply
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This is FRIKKIN AWESOME!
Ray, doin White Stripes, doin Ray.
He swirled up a little conundrum with a back beat,
that goes with his theme.

Posted by: The Dread CREASCEANDO at 09/27/08 12:29 AM | Reply
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nyc band, sikamor rooney wrote a song called meg white a year ago and it kills! i'm so sick of pussy music like this. listen to the sikamor rooney one on myspace. makes me feel alive!

Posted by: dude?! at 09/27/08 2:07 AM | Reply
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I'd rather listen to some fuckin' band like Yellowcard than listen to that Sikamor Rooney shite.

Posted by: Geoff in reply to dude?!'s comment at 09/27/08 9:02 PM | Reply
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but seriously...that is a nice titty. I'd give it the bidness except for that fugly mug of Meg's. trouble, trouble trouble trouble trouble

Posted by: babalugats at 09/28/08 9:28 PM | Reply
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Thanks for the early release of a couple of songs from Gossip in the Grain.. Sounds like it's going to be another great album for going down the road with the top down on my BM'r cruising around the Sound... Hope I can catch the show Nov 7 or 8 in Vancouver or Seattle...

Posted by: Margaret at 09/28/08 10:47 PM | Reply
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Cheese : (
Never thought i'd say that bout Ray

Posted by: goodwolfe at 09/29/08 2:44 PM | Reply
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My favorite line is "Meg I want to play your big bazoombas like bongos. Your sideboob gives me fits. I want to put my Elephant on your gigantinormous tits."
And then there's something muttered about Seven Nation Semen followed by moaning and a sustained B Major chord.

Posted by: kelly at 09/30/08 3:31 AM | Reply
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Awesome track. I never heard of this guy before, but I might look up his work. His voice is great, as well as his love for Meg White that we both share.

Posted by: jaychuck profile link at 09/30/08 3:46 AM | Reply
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this song is almost beatle-esq and its nice to see Ray experiment. Isn't he married though? LOL his wife will kick his ass

Posted by: michele at 09/30/08 9:01 AM | Reply
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I've never heard of this guy, so I can say objectively that this song is pretty lame. I won't let it affect my unformed opinion of him, because I'm sure this is one of those "joke" songs, but save it for a b-side, dude. It's not like she gave you a fiberoptic Jesus.

Posted by: fido at 09/30/08 10:27 AM | Reply
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I like this song so long as no one else does. If you all change your mind let me know and I'll move on.

Posted by: Raleighwood profile link at 09/30/08 12:12 PM | Reply
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I'm sorry, the song is repetative and the lyrics are lame. If you want to fuck Meg White, all you have to do is ask her out, she looks pretty easy.

Posted by: John Leyva at 10/01/08 3:33 AM | Reply
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I'm sorry, the song is repetative and the lyrics are lame. If you want to fuck Meg White, all you have to do is ask her out, she looks pretty easy.

Posted by: John Leyva at 10/01/08 3:34 AM | Reply
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This is a joke, right??!!

Posted by: Meg 1 at 10/01/08 11:02 AM | Reply
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It's Ray LaMontagne....he can sing anything and my heart melts.....even if it is kinda dorky:) Shit I wish he wrote that song for me!

Posted by: R S at 10/01/08 3:54 PM | Reply
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Everyone deserves to be happy once in a while. Give the man a break. Anything he sings is beautiful. I love him and the song. I'm happy that he's happy for once. His album comes out on my birthday and I'm extremely excited.

Posted by: Hannah at 10/02/08 10:24 AM | Reply
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nlv

fun song... i like the sound of it.

Posted by: nlv profile link at 10/02/08 3:27 PM | Reply
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I hate Meg White. So Much. Learn to drum already lady, its been like ten years. I am going to write a song too, and its not gonna be as pretty.

Posted by: Trista at 10/02/08 4:27 PM | Reply
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But i will give it to her, she has some pretty nice boobs. look at that, no bra too. NICE.
I will put that in my song as a positive point.

Posted by: Trista at 10/02/08 4:31 PM | Reply
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Elvis vs. Shark

I wrote a song for a girl once, it was pretty good, it had guitars, piano, drums, a string section, and singing. I even made a video for it. The girl turned me down, though. I guess girls don't like music. :(

Posted by: Elvis vs. Shark profile link at 10/03/08 10:24 AM | Reply
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I think most all that post on here are missing the point of the whole song. People judge so strange drives me crazy. Then you got the cheese balls who mention her breast keep it to yourself big freaking deal have you ever seen a breast before? People's brains these days scary me..makes me wonder who will run this country when I get old.

Posted by: thejefferman at 10/04/08 4:16 PM | Reply
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as far as i can tell,, the fact that you total losers slag this song off without saying anything worthwhile is the best reason to like it so that we have FUCK ALL in common,, Ray could make the telephone directory in Flemish sound amazing,, YOU CANT,, he is a successfull recording artist and master songwriter YOU ARENT,, we are all here talking about his music NOT YOURS.. what have you done in your pathetic excuse for an existence that even remotely compares.. Ill tell you what.. nothing,, sweet FA,, cept sit in your crusty boxer shorts shovelling potato chips into your cakeholes (thereby doubling your IQ), hammering hate into your keyboard with a shitstained fist before having a threesome with your sister and her rottweiller

Posted by: oneredcrow at 10/05/08 4:35 PM | Reply
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I just got into Ray recently and this song is not what I expect from the guy, but it is funny. Hard to say if this was pre-meditated as a publicity idea or not. Either way, the song is alright (not his best though).

Hoover

http://NewRockstarPhilosophy.com - Take Control of Your Music

Posted by: Hoover at 10/06/08 1:46 AM | Reply
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your a fucking idiot. this man sounds like he has a giant cock in his throat. get a grip and write some poetry. If i were to sum you up in one word, it wud b cunt. if i were to sum you up in two words, it would be massive cunt. If i were to sum you up in three words, it would be nasty fat cunt.

Posted by: gerry twatage at 10/07/08 11:53 AM | Reply
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I listen to ANYTHING Ray plays. I think he can do better than Meg White though.
Ray, you are soulful and stellar!
Play baby Play!

Posted by: kandi at 10/10/08 11:06 AM | Reply
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Just a bunch crabby musicphiles that have to have their artist at their purist. Can't allow an artist to do something different every once in awhile whether its silly or not.

Remember when Dylan went electric and people called him Judas? Let the guy experiment for Pete's sake!

Posted by: fishcado at 10/20/08 10:32 PM | Reply
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I didn't like this song when I first heard it. I thought it was corny. BUT to hear him play it live was so much fun! Great concert!

Posted by: Leslie at 10/22/08 7:52 AM | Reply
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Look, Ray LaMontagne is an amazing songwriter. This is no exception. It's a great track, and I hope it's legit because it's insanely sweet. He deserves happiness where he can find it, and he needs to keep composing because, while perhaps not as unified as his previous albums, Gossip demonstrates his diversity of songwriting and the styles he is capable of putting his own spin on. So please, just shut up and listen to the music. It's beautiful, this one more sweet than anything, but still.

Posted by: Dan at 10/28/08 3:04 AM | Reply
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I'm surprised to say this, from what I read on the other comments, but I like it. It's cute and sweet and a little creepy, and that's the same spirit that appeals to me about The White Stripes. I don't know whether or not Meg will like it, that's up to her. But it does seem like it was written with a kind heart and good intentions. And it's always nice when people show Meg some appreciation. She is a sweet and classy lady, cool and enigmatic; with not just a pretty face, but true feminine charm and innocence and grace, something so rare these days, with all the aggressively in-your-face pop tarts in the music scene. And we should never forget that Meg was the original inspiration for Jack to form The White Stripes, and her presence and her drumming is essential to one of the greatest rock bands of this millennium. For all these reasons and more, Miss Meg deserves our respect and our appreciation and our warm affection. I think that's what Ray was trying to express with this song, and I think it shows. So I like it quite a lot.

Posted by: Dee at 10/30/08 11:14 PM | Reply
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Torche is right! Its the drums that pay tribute! Not the lyrics that you some of you Ray die hards detest.

I've never heard of this gentleman before and was referred here from a White Stripes fan site. I like Ray based on this but can't listen to depressed music all the time. (HELLO, I like The White Stripes). I'd just ask all ya'll to give him a chance, as this newbie will, and let him bust loose this fun ditty. Heroes gotta have fun too!

White Stripes fans, meet me on the web.

Posted by: Danielle at 11/06/08 8:10 PM | Reply
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I love this. It is just something fun. Not all of his music has to be so "deep". Bravo, Ray.

Posted by: Lauren at 11/11/08 5:44 PM | Reply
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Um, am I reading too much into the part where he sings "going down, going down"? I thought you said he was diplomatic about it.

Posted by: Josh at 11/18/08 2:16 AM | Reply
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