Cannonball (Supertramp song)

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"Cannonball"
Supertramp Cannonball single cover.jpg
Single by Supertramp
from the album Brother Where You Bound
B-side "Ever Open Door"
ReleasedApril 1985 (1985-04) [1]
Genre Progressive rock, jazz rock [2]
Length4:59(single version)
7:38 (album version)
7:42 (12-inch Direct-To-Disc"Audiophile"Version)
10:00 (12-inch Instrumental version)
Label A&M
Songwriter(s) Rick Davies
Producer(s) Supertramp, David Kershenbaum
Supertramp singles chronology
"Still in Love"
(1985)
"Cannonball"
(1985)
"Better Days"
(1985)
Music video
"Cannonball" on YouTube

"Cannonball" is the opening track from Supertramp's 1985 album Brother Where You Bound .

Contents

Overview

"Cannonball" was written and sung by keyboardist Rick Davies entirely in the chord of G minor. Davies stated in an interview "I did it simply to see if it could be done".

When “Cannonball” was released, the song’s lyrics (like “I’m washing my hands on you / How could you be so untrue”) were, contrary to belief, not about Roger Hodgson, but instead (according to a French radio interview) a “less than perfect” concert promoter Rick Davies wouldn’t name. [3]

The track became Supertramp's last US Top 40 single to date, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard singles charts in July 1985. It also crossed over to the dance charts, peaking at number nine. On the B-side of the 12-inch release is a 10-minute instrumental version. [4] [5]

Near the LP version's fade-out, the brass play a citation of the Jazz tune Topsy .

The promo video was directed by Steve Barron and depicted a caveman who goes after his wayward cavewoman, who left his home to travel to modern day Grand Junction, CO to see the band rehearsing the song on stage. When he sees her, he bellows...and wakes up to see the cavewoman there in the cave, realizing he had dreamed it all.

Personnel

Chart performance

Chart (1985)Peak
position
Australia (KMR) [6] 63
Canada (RPM) [7] 24
Dutch Top 40 [8] 35
German Singles Chart [9] 60
Swiss Singles Chart [10] 25
US Billboard Hot 100 [11] 28
US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks [11] 4
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play [11] 9

Related Research Articles

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Supertramp were a British rock band that formed in London in 1970. They experienced their greatest global success in 1979 with their sixth album Breakfast in America. Marked by the individual songwriting of founders Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies, the group were distinguished for blending progressive rock and pop styles as well as for a sound that relied heavily on Wurlitzer electric piano. The group's lineup changed numerous times throughout their career, with Davies being the only constant member throughout its history. Other longtime members included bassist Dougie Thomson, drummer Bob Siebenberg and saxophonist John Helliwell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Davies</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1944)

Richard Davies is an English musician, singer and songwriter best known as founder, vocalist and keyboardist of the rock band Supertramp. Davies was its only constant member, and composed some of the band's best known songs, including "Rudy", "Bloody Well Right", "Crime of the Century", "From Now On", "Ain't Nobody But Me", "Gone Hollywood", "Goodbye Stranger", "Just Another Nervous Wreck", "Cannonball", and "I'm Beggin' You". He is generally noted for his rhythmic blues piano solos and jazz-tinged progressive rock compositions and cynical lyrics.

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<i>Brother Where You Bound</i> 1985 studio album by Supertramp

Brother Where You Bound is the eighth studio album by the English rock band Supertramp, released in 1985. It was their first album after original member Roger Hodgson left the band, leaving Rick Davies to handle the songwriting and singing on his own. The album features the group's Top 30 hit "Cannonball".

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreamer (Supertramp song)</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bloody Well Right</span> 1974 single by Supertramp

"Bloody Well Right" is a song by English rock band Supertramp from their 1974 album Crime of the Century. It appeared as the B-side of the single "Dreamer" in 1974. Listeners in the United States preferred it to the A-side, and "Bloody Well Right" became their breakthrough hit in the country, peaking at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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References

  1. "Great Rock discography". p. 804.
  2. Adams, Bret. Brother Where You Bound at AllMusic. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  3. "Song of the day". Billboard .
  4. "Supertramp – Cannonball (1985, Vinyl)". Discogs . 1985.
  5. "The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard .
  6. Australian Chart Book (1970–1992) – David Kent pp. 301
  7. "RPM Top 100 Singles - July 13, 1985" (PDF).
  8. "De Nederlandse Top 40, week 26, 1985". Archived from the original on 18 May 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  9. "Chartverfolgung / Supertramp / Single". Music Line (in German). Germany: Media Control Charts. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  10. "hitparade.ch" . Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  11. 1 2 3 "billboard.com Supertramp chart history" . Retrieved 19 November 2008.