“Cannonball” is a song by the Breeders from their 1993 album Last Splash. It was released as a single on August 9, 1993, on 4AD/Elektra Records, reaching No. 44 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and No. 40 in the UK Singles Chart. It was released in France in November 1993, where it remained charted for 30 weeks, peaking at No. 8.

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. . . Cannonball (The Breeders song) . . .

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.[1] 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.

“Cannonball” is an alternative rock,[2]pop rock,[3]indie pop[1] and grunge[1] song that lasts for a duration of three minute and thirty-six seconds,[4] featuring a balance of quirky pop hooks and surging power which support playful, goofball lyrics.[1] 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.[5] “Cannonball” is composed in the key of E-flat major (E♭), while Kim Deal’s vocal range spans from a low of E♭₃ to a high of B♭₄.[5] The song has a basic sequence that alternates between the chords of B♭₅ and E♭₅ during the introduction and verses and follows B♭₅–E♭₅–A♭₅ at the chorus as its chord progression.[5]

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.”[1]

During the verses, Kim Deal recites repetitive lines with a seductive shyness.[1] The song intensifes at the jubilant chorus, which is signaled by pelting snare rolls. They unleash layers of guitar distortion alongside Deal’s distorted, transmitted vocals shouting: “Hey now, hey now/I want you Koo Koo, Cannonball.”[1] Its musical arrangement features stuttering, start-and-stop transitions before evening out into an infectious, melodic hook layered with sweet vocal harmonies, with Deal and the band repeating the line: “In the shade/In the shade.”[1] “Cannonball” employs a false ending, pausing for a whole measure and then crashing into its chorus and shifting in another full verse and chorus before coming to an abrupt halt.[1]

. . . Cannonball (The Breeders song) . . .

. . . Cannonball (The Breeders song) . . .