"Cannonball" is the opening track from Supertramp's 1985 album Brother Where You Bound.
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's departure from the band after the 1982 album ...Famous Last Words...for a solo career, but instead (according to a French radio interview) a “less than perfect” concert promoter Rick Davies never named.
The track became Supertramp's last US Top 40 single, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1985. It also crossed over to the Hot Dance Club Play chart, peaking at number nine. On the B-side of the 12-inch release is a 10-minute instrumental version.
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 depicts a caveman who goes after his wayward cavewoman, who left their home to travel to modern day Grand Junction, Colorado, 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 Supertramp Rick Davies – piano, synthesizer, lead vocals John Helliwell – saxophone, glockenspiel Bob Siebenberg – drums Dougie Thomson – bass Additional personnel Marty Walsh – guitar Doug Wintz – trombone
Chart performance Chart (1985)PeakpositionAustralia (KMR)Australian Chart Book (1970–1992) – David Kent pp. 30163Canada (RPM)24Dutch Top 4035German Singles Chart60Swiss Singles Chart25US Billboard Hot 10028US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks4US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play9
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