music.wikisort.org - Composition

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

"Cannonball"
Single by Supertramp
from the album Brother Where You Bound
B-side	"Ever Open Door"
Released	1985 (1985)
Genre	Progressive rock, jazz rock[1]
Length	4:47 (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

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".

The lyrics to the song may have been seen as a veiled message to former member Roger Hodgson but Davies revealed in a French radio interview that they were inspired by a less than perfect concert promoter whom he refused to name.^{[citation needed]}

The track became Supertramp's last US Top 40 single to date, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard singles charts in July 1985.[2] It also crossed over to the dance charts, peaking at number nine.

On the flip side of the 12-inch release is a 10-minute instrumental version of the song.[3] 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

• Rick Davies: piano, synthesizer, vocals
• John Helliwell: saxophones
• Bob Siebenberg: drums
• Dougie Thomson: bass
• Marty Walsh: guitar
• Doug Wintz: trombone

Chart performance

Chart (1985)	Peak position
Australia (KMR)[4]	63
Canada (RPM)[5]	24
Dutch Top 40[6]	35
German Singles Chart[7]	60
Swiss Singles Chart[8]	25
US Billboard Hot 100[9]	28
US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks[9]	4
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[9]	9

References

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