Cannonball (Lea Michele song)

"Cannonball"
Single by Lea Michele
from the album Louder
Released	December 10, 2013[1]
Format	Digital download
Recorded	2013
Genre	Pop
Length	3:35
Label	Columbia
Writer(s)	Sia Furler Benny Blanco Mikkel Storleer Eriksen Tor Erik Hermansen
Producer(s)	Stargate Benny Blanco
Lea Michele singles chronology
"Cannonball" (2013) "On My Way (2014) Music video "Lea Michele - Cannonball" on YouTube

"Cannonball" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter and actress Lea Michele. The song was released onto iTunes on December 10, 2013 and made its radio debut on Elvis Duran and the Morning Show on December 16, 2013. The song was written by Sia Furler, Benny Blanco, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen and Saud, and was produced by Stargate and Benny Blanco.^[2]

"Cannonball" received mostly positive reviews from music critics, who praised Michele's vocal delivery.^[3] The song peaked at number 75 on the official Billboard singles chart in the United States and sold 51,000 digital copies in its first week of sale.^[4]

Theme and composition

In an interview with MTV, Michele said that "Cannonball" was the song that helped her cope in the aftermath of her boyfriend and co-star Cory Monteith's death, in the summer of 2013. Initially, Michele didn't plan on having the song be a part of the album, which she'd finished recording in June; but after Monteith died aged 31 in July, Michele put her album on hold and took a moment to think if there was anything else she needed to get off her chest. Working with songwriters Sia and Benny Blanco, who co-wrote "Cannonball", she recorded the track and the single became her "mantra of survival."^[5]

Live performances

Her first live performance of the song was on December 12, 2013 on The Ellen DeGeneres Show after a sit down interview with Ellen.^[6] Michele also performed "Cannonball" live on the season 3 finale of The X Factor USA on December 19, 2013, and on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on March 4, 2014.

Critical reception

The song received positive reviews from music critics. Billboard wrote: "The song's booming pop chorus features a confident Michele, whose Broadway-bred voice is as on-point as you'd expect: "And now I will start living today, today, today. I closed the door / I got this new beginning, and I will fly, I'll fly like a cannonball."^[2]

Rolling Stone writer Ron Blistein gave Michele's "Cannonball" a favorable review, writing: "The track is instantly memorable, not surprising considering the number of top hit-makers behind it, including cowriters Sia Furler and Benny Blanco. Production comes courtesy of the Norwegian duo Stargate. Still, it's Michele's powerhouse vocals that take center stage on "Cannonball" as she deftly switches from her Broadway-trained belting and Glee-honed pop chops."^[3]

Music video

Michele filmed parts of the music video for "Cannonball" on two separate occasions; on November 17, 2013 and December 16, 2013.^[7] The video premiered on Vevo and YouTube on January 9, 2014. The music video for the track was directed by Robert Hales and styled by Estee Stanley.^[8]

Formats and track listings

• CD single^[9]

1. "Cannonball" – 3:35

• Dave Audé remixes – EP^[10]

1. "Cannonball" (Dave Audé Club Remix) – 6:50
2. "Cannonball" (Dave Audé Radio) – 4:33
3. "Cannonball" (Dave Audé Mixshow) – 5:47
4. "Cannonball" (Dave Audé Club Instrumental) – 6:50
5. "Cannonball" (Dave Audé Dub) – 6:19

• DVD single

1. "Cannonball" (Music Video) – 3:48
2. "Cannonball" (Live in Studio) – 3:55

Charts

Chart (2013)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[11]	7
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[12]	11
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[13]	49
Ireland (IRMA)[14]	80
Italy (FIMI)[15]	27
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[16]	32
US Billboard Hot 100[17]	75
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[18]	18

Release dates

Country	Date	Format	Label
United States[19]	December 10, 2013	Digital download	Columbia
United Kingdom[20]	March 9, 2014

References

1. "iTunes - Music - Cannonball - Single by Lea Michele". Apple. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
2. "Lea Michele Sets Date for Debut Album, Rolls Out 'Cannonball' Single". Billboard. December 10, 2013.
3. "Lea Michele Dives Into Pop Career With 'Cannonball' - Video". Rolling Stone. December 10, 2013.
4. "Lea Michele's "Cannonball" Is First Song From Any Glee Star to Make Billboard Chart – Where Did It Land?". Wetpaint. December 23, 2013.
5. "Lea Michele's 'Cannonball' 'Helped Me With My Loss' After Cory Monteith's Death - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. December 12, 2013.
6. "VIDEO: Lea Michele's 'Cannonball' Performance On 'Ellen'". Hollywood Life. December 12, 2013.
7. "Lea Michele's 'Cannonball' to Be First Single From Debut Album". Billboard. November 27, 2013.
8. "Lea Michele Debuts 'Cannonball' Video: Watch". Billboard. January 10, 2014.
9. "Lea Michele - Cannonball (CDr) at Discogs". Discogs. April 19, 2015.
10. "Lea Michele - Cannonball (Dave Audé Remix) (CDr) at Discogs". Discogs. April 19, 2015.
11. "Ultratop.be – Lea Michele – Cannonball" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
12. "Ultratop.be – Lea Michele – Cannonball" (in French). Ultratip.
13. "Lea Michele Album & Song Chart History". Billboard Canadian Hot 100 for Lea Michele. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
14. "Chart Track: Week 51, 2013". Irish Singles Chart.
15. "Lea Michele Album & Song Chart History". FIMI" FIMI for Lea Michele. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
16. "Spanishcharts.com – Lea Michele – Cannonball" Canciones Top 50.
17. "Lea Michele Album & Song Chart History". Billboard Hot 100 for Lea Michele. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
18. "Lea Michele Album & Song Chart History". Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for Lea Michele. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
19. "iTunes - Music - Louder (Deluxe Version) by Lea Michele". US iTunes. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
20. "iTunes - Music - Cannonball - Single by Lea Michele". UK iTunes. Retrieved March 9, 2014.

External links