Cannonball
Alice Lamb Lyrics
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There's still a little bit of you laced with my doubt
It′s still a little hard to say what's going on
There's still a little bit of your ghost, your witness
There′s still a little bit of your face I haven′t kissed
You step a little closer each day that I can't say what′s going on
Love taught me to lie
Life taught me to die
So it's not hard to fall
When you float like a cannonball
There′s still a little bit of your song in my ear
There's still a little bit of your words I long to hear
You step a little closer to me
So close I can′t see what's going on
Whoa
Stones taught me to fly
Love taught me to lie
So come on courage
Teach me to be shy
Cause it's not hard to fall
When you know that you just don′t know
Stones taught me to fly
Love taught me to lie
So come on courage
Teach me to be shy
Cause it′s not hard to fall
When you float like a cannonball
Stones taught me to fly
Love taught me to cry
So come on courage
Teach me to be shy
Cause it's not hard to fall
And I don′t want to scare him
It's not hard to fall
And I don′t wanna lose
It's not hard to fall
When you float like a cannonball
Alice Lamb's song "Cannonball" appears to be a contemplative, somewhat melancholic reflection on the lingering effects of a past relationship. The opening lines paint a vivid picture of the physical and emotional remnants of the singer's experience with the ex-lover, describing a residual "taste" and a hint of "doubt" that still pervades their thoughts. The following lines reference the ghostly presence of the former partner and the interpersonal distance that still remains, with the singer unable to articulate their own emotional state amidst the chaos.
The use of metaphor carries through to the chorus of the song, where the singer describes learning to "float like a cannonball" - which might appear contradictory, given the explosive image of a cannonball's impact. However, "floating" suggests a lack of direction or control, a feeling that the singer is grappling with in the wake of their past experiences. The repetition of the line "stones taught me to fly, love taught me to lie" seems to suggest that the singer has learned some hard truths through their mistakes in the past, but is still struggling with how to move forward and find emotional equilibrium.
Despite the sense of uncertainty and turmoil that pervades the song's lyrics, there is also a glimmer of hope at the end. The final repetition of the "not hard to fall" refrain adds an additional line - "And I don't wanna lose" - that suggests the singer is willing to take a risk on a new relationship, even if they are scared of getting hurt again.
Line by Line Meaning
There's still a little bit of your taste in my mouth
I still remember your presence and it leaves a strong impact on me
There's still a little bit of you laced with my doubt
My doubts about you still persist, despite your absence
It's still a little hard to say what's going on
I am unsure about my feelings and where this is going
There's still a little bit of your ghost, your witness
Your presence lingers in my mind and I still feel your influence on me
There's still a little bit of your face I haven't kissed
I still crave your intimacy and have yet to fully experience it
You step a little closer each day that I can't say what's going on
As our relationship progresses, I become more unsure of my feelings
Stones taught me to fly
I have learned to overcome obstacles and challenges in life
Love taught me to lie
Love has taught me to be dishonest or untruthful at times
Life taught me to die
I have experienced loss and pain, which has made me stronger and wiser
So it's not hard to fall
It is easy to succumb to my feelings and be vulnerable
When you float like a cannonball
When I feel weightless and free, it is easy to lose control of my emotions
There's still a little bit of your song in my ear
Your influence on me still echoes in my mind
There's still a little bit of your words I long to hear
I still crave your affection and kind words
You step a little closer to me
Our relationship is progressing and becoming more intimate
So close I can't see what's going on
I am so consumed by my emotions that I can't see the bigger picture
Stones taught me to fly
I have gained strength and resilience from past experiences
Love taught me to lie
Love has made me act in ways that are not true to myself
So come on courage
I need to be brave and face my fears
Teach me to be shy
I need to learn to be more reserved and cautious in my actions
Cause it's not hard to fall
It is easy to let my guard down and become vulnerable
When you know that you just don't know
When I am unsure about my own feelings and where this is going
Love taught me to cry
Love has made me vulnerable and emotional
And I don't want to scare him
I am afraid of pushing my partner away or scaring them off
And I don't wanna lose
I am afraid of losing my partner or what we have together
Writer(s): Damien Rice
Contributed by Camden S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.