For several years Russell and Nero’s respective bands, Po' Girl (Vancouver, BC) and JT and the Clouds (Chicago, IL), have collaborated extensively, but on 2011’s Mountains/Forests, released under the JT Nero banner, they tapped into the true, bewitching power of their voices together on an entire record. It also featured the full cast of characters that would round out the Birds of Chicago ensemble -- the Clouds and Michelle McGrath, the luminous singer and picker from the hidden hills of Southeast Ohio.
The record received critical raves and won them new fans on both side of the Atlantic, and created a great deal of excitement for the first official Birds of Chicago album, slated for release on October 2, 2012.
Nero’s fractured country-soul voice wrapped in Russell’s silver and gold tones, is a fine thing. Not too perfect, not at all saccharine, you’ll hear echoes of mountain gospel, street corner doo-wop, and classic soul. Accompanied by just a banjo and a guitar, it’s haunting. Fired by the band, it’s a full tilt revival.
Nero and Russell are most at home on the road - pick almost any night in the next two years and you can bet they will be in some festival, theater, pub, VFW hall, roller rink (they wish) or living room, dovetailing their voices, singing their songs of hope, despair, love.... and electric seahorses. And honey bee apocalypses. And ice cream. It's familiar and strange stuff - the everyday and the magical. Come see ‘em, they won't be hard to find.
Cannonball
Birds of Chicago Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don′t let me see the sun seven days in a row
Gettin' rain on five, six brings snow
Seven brings the locusts from heaven you know
Come and see me baby when we′re back on one
Cause that's when I get my good lovin' done
Rock on two, roll on three
Four I′m hearin′ voices in the breeze
Ooh
Here comes my cannonball
Ooh
Here comes my wrecking ball
When the light in me bows to
Yeah the light in you
When the beauty of the meadow is not enough
We need a tiger layin' in the cut
Oh my tiger, oh my viper
Oh my darling Clementine
Hot love in the dyin′ time
Lonely hearts soaked in rye
City of wolves, city of ghosts
City of the people I love the most
Ooh somethin's comin', somethin′s runnin′ right up on you
Ooh
Here comes my cannonball
Ooh
Here comes my wrecking ball
When the light in me bows to
Yeah the light in you
Well they caught him down by Little Cuff's field
And beat that boy till his ears were bleedin′
Cut a hole in the curtain of the dead of the night
Took his love, took his life
You wanna do right by that boy's heart
Gather the kin, go down to the park
Bucket a ticket, bottle of beer
Let those sons o′ bitches know that love's still here
Oh somethin′s comin', somethin's runnin′ right up on you
Ooh
Here comes my cannonball
Ooh
Here comes my wrecking ball
When the light in me bows to
Yeah the light in you
Oooh the light in you
Oooh the light in you
The opening lines of Birds of Chicago's "Cannonball" speak of an appeal to Fate, asking not to let the singer see the sun for seven days in a row because, by day seven, terrible things will happen. There's an almost religious air to the lyrics that reflect a superstitious worldview of divine retribution for any presumptuousness on the part of humans. As the song progresses, we get the sense that something is coming, that there's a sense of impending disaster or confrontation. The lyrics mention a tiger and a viper, potentially predatory figures symbolic of danger, and the city of wolves and ghosts. Whether these images are intended to be taken literally or as metaphors is unclear, but they contribute to an atmosphere of edginess and anticipation.
The final lines of the song present a clear message of hope and unity despite the ominous events mentioned earlier. The story of a young man being beaten and robbed of his love and his life is recounted with a sense of horror, but the response is one of defiance and solidarity. The people in the neighborhood rally to celebrate love and carry on, showing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tragedy. The chorus of "Here comes my cannonball, here comes my wrecking ball" evokes both destruction and renewal, hinting at a cycle of growth and decay that is constantly playing out in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh me, oh no
Expressing a feeling of uncertainty or concern
Don′t let me see the sun seven days in a row
Asking for a change in routine or circumstances
Gettin' rain on five, six brings snow
Observing the patterns of nature and how one thing leads to another
Seven brings the locusts from heaven you know
Commenting on the unpredictability of nature and how it can bring both good and bad
Come and see me baby when we′re back on one
Calling for a reunion after a separation or difficult time
Cause that's when I get my good lovin' done
Expressing the importance of being together in a positive and intimate way
Rock on two, roll on three
Using musical language to describe a sense of rhythm or momentum
Four I′m hearin′ voices in the breeze
Suggesting a spiritual or supernatural experience
Oh somethin's comin′, somethin's runnin′ right up on you
Anticipating a change or challenge on the horizon
Ooh
Here comes my cannonball
Metaphorically describing a force that is powerful and unstoppable
Ooh
Here comes my wrecking ball
Using imagery to describe something that can cause destruction or change
When the light in me bows to
Yeah the light in you
Acknowledging the value of another person's presence and influence
When the beauty of the meadow is not enough
Recognizing a need for something more intense or exciting
We need a tiger layin' in the cut
Describing the desire for something wild or dangerous
Oh my tiger, oh my viper
Oh my darling Clementine
Using poetic language to describe different aspects of a person or situation
Hot love in the dyin′ time
Lonely hearts soaked in rye
Contrasting passionate moments with lonely or desperate ones
City of wolves, city of ghosts
City of the people I love the most
Referencing a particular place or community
Well they caught him down by Little Cuff's field
And beat that boy till his ears were bleedin′
Describing a violent act and its consequences
Cut a hole in the curtain of the dead of the night
Took his love, took his life
Using vivid language to narrate a tragic event
You wanna do right by that boy's heart
Gather the kin, go down to the park
Bucket a ticket, bottle of beer
Let those sons o′ bitches know that love's still here
Offering a call to action in response to the tragedy
Oooh the light in you
Echoing the idea of valuing another person's presence and influence
Writer(s): Jeremy Thomas Lindsay
Contributed by Kylie V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mike H
Just discovered these guys by accident---absolutely outstanding group.
Giajade09
Wow!...soooo refreshing....earthy, soulful...love it!
Dance To The Music
been following these two for a long time on the internets. Got to meet Ali after a show. Can't wait to see them again some day. Love every song they do
JH Tompkins
I love Birds of Chicago!
Gega KS
Just saw them live in Lugano.
Great perfomance.
James Pollock
Fantastic! A new favorite!
Josina Lumanu
just love this!!
jesse jones
"bucket of chicken, bottle of beer. let those sons of bitches know that love still lives here." nearly brings me tears every time I hear that line.
Eeko Warrior
Aww! Love Allison's solo album, but miss B of C terribly. Kept me sane during the Brexit/Trump/Pandemic era with their beautiful positivity.
John Brown
Awesome!