Cannonball

"Cannonball" is a song by American alternative rock band the Breeders from their second studio album, Last Splash (1993). It was released as a single on August 9, 1993, on 4AD and Elektra Records, reaching 44 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and on the UK Singles Chart. In November 1993, the single was released in France, where it charted for 30 weeks, peaking at . The song demo was originally called "Grunggae" as it merged "island riffs and grunge". This demo was later included in the 20th anniversary re-release of the album LSXX. Recording The rhythm of the introduction is constructed from metallic clicking on a snare rim and cymbal stand, which is tapped out by drummer Jim McPherson. The loud, distorted voice of Kim Deal at the beginning of the song was achieved by singing closely into a harmonica microphone, which can also be seen in most live performances. Composition "Cannonball" is an alternative rock, pop rock, indie pop and grunge song that lasts for a duration of three minute and thirty-six seconds, featuring a balance of quirky pop hooks and surging power which support playful, goofball lyrics. According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by EMI Music Publishing, the song is written in the time signature of common time, with a moderately fast rock tempo of 112 beats per minute and composed in the key of E-flat major (E), while Kim Deal's vocal range spans from a low of E3 to a high of B4. The song has a basic sequence that alternates between the chords of B5 and E5 during the introduction and verses and follows B5–E5–A5 at the chorus as its chord progression. The song opens with the distorted voice of singer-songwriter Kim Deal testing a microphone by intoning "Check, check, one, two" against hissing feedback and over similar distorted vocal harmonizing. The track's drum rhythm and trademark bubbling bass line signal the start of the song. A slithering guitar lick skips the above its rhythm section before being overtaken by the high, squealing feedback of crunching guitar. It is nearly a full minute into the song before the introduction of its vocal melody, with Deal slyly cooing humorous lyrics. The band pulls to a brief halt for Deal to proclaim the parent album's title: "I'm the last splash".