Cannonball (Supertramp song)
| "Cannonball" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "Ever Open Door" |
"Cannonball" is the opening track from Supertramp's 1985 album Brother Where You Bound. It 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 the spring of 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.[1] 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 from his home to modern day Grand Junction, CO to see the band rehearsing the song on stage.
Personnel
- Rick Davies: piano, synthesizers, vocals
- John Helliwell: saxophones
- Bob Siebenberg: drums
- Dougie Thomson: bass
- Marty Walsh: guitar
- Doug Wintz: trombone
Chart performance
| Chart (1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Top 40[2] | 35 |
| German Singles Chart[3] | 60 |
| Swiss Singles Chart[4] | 25 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[5] | 28 |
| US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks[5] | 4 |
| US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[5] | 9 |
References
- ^ http://www.discogs.com/Supertramp-Cannonball/release/2401138
- ^ "De Nederlandse Top 40, week 26, 1985". Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ "Chartverfolgung / Supertramp / Single". Music Line (in German). Germany: Media Control Charts. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
- ^ "hitparade.ch". Retrieved 19 November 2008.
- ^ a b c "billboard.com Supertramp chart history". Retrieved 19 November 2008.
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