Cannonball (Damien Rice song)
"Cannonball" is a song written and performed by Irish folk singer Damien Rice. It was released on 1 February 2002, as the second single from his debut album O. It was later re-released in 2003 (reaching number 32 on the UK Singles Chart), 2004 (reaching number 19) and 2011 (reaching number 9).
Release[edit]
In Ireland the single was issued as a CD maxi single in May 2002 on the artist's own label Damien Rice Music.[1] It contained a remixed version of the track by Paul "P-Dub" Walton and Mark "Spike" Stent, plus a demo, a live track and an instrumental of the A-side.[2] Unlike the album version, the single mix includes drums.
In Britain the single was released in October 2003 by 14th Floor Records, on a standard CD single and Enhanced CD. The Enhanced CD featured an exclusive B-side, "Moody Monday", and the music video for "Cannonball". It was packaged in a gatefold card sleeve with a poster.[3] The second CD contained live versions of "Cannonball", "Amie" and "The Blower's Daughter", recorded live at Union Chapel.[4] This release included four postcards. A limited edition one-track 7" single was also pressed.[3]
The single was re-released on 5 July 2004, with an additional DVD single containing two remixes and a filmed interview and a biography, rising to #19 on its re-release.
The single versions (of which there are two, with slightly differing production) are markedly different from the original version found on the album, with background production and a quicker vocal.
Chart performance[edit]
The song was originally released on 17 May 2002 and did not chart at the time.
In 2003, it reached number 32 on the UK Singles Chart on the chart of 1 November 2003, slipping back to 57 the following week for a total run of just 2 weeks in the charts.
On its re-release in 2004, the song had limited success, entering the UK Singles Chart at number 19 on 17 July 2004 and then slipping back in the charts. It had a total run of seven weeks in the charts that year. It also peaked at number 21 on the Irish Singles Chart.
The song was rereleased in 2011 reaching number 13 on 22 September 2011 (week 38) in Irish Singles Chart.[5] Due to an impressive and popular X Factor audition from John Adams, singing an acoustic cover in the first round of 2011 auditions, Cannonball reentered the British Singles Chart on 24 September 2011 at number 39, and rising to 9 in the week of 1 October 2011[5] before slipping back in the charts.
As of December 2011, the song has sold 191,696 copies in the UK.[6]