"Cannonball" is the opening track from

Supertramp Supertramp were an English rock band that formed in London in 1969. Marked by the individual songwriting of founders Roger Hodgson (vocals, keyboards, and guitars) and Rick Davies (vocals and keyboards), they are distinguished for blending p ...

's 1985 album '' Brother Where You Bound''.

Overview

"Cannonball" was written and sung by keyboardist

Rick Davies Richard Davies (born 22 July 1944) 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 ...

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 Charles Roger Pomfret Hodgson (born 21 March 1950) is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the former co-frontman and founding member of progressive rock band Supertramp. Hodgson composed and sang the majority of the band’ ...

but Davies revealed in a French radio interview that they were inspired by a less than perfect concert promoter whom he refused to name. 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 flip side of the 12-inch release is a 10-minute instrumental version of the song. 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

: piano, synthesizer, vocals *

John Helliwell John Anthony Helliwell (born 15 February 1945) is an English musician, best known as the saxophonist, secondary keyboardist, backing vocalist, and occasional songwriter for the rock band Supertramp. He also served as an MC during the band's ...

: saxophones * Bob Siebenberg: drums * Dougie Thomson: bass * Marty Walsh: guitar * Doug Wintz: trombone

Chart performance

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cannonball (Supertramp Song) Supertramp songs 1985 singles Songs written by Rick Davies 1985 songs A&M Records singles