The band consists of vocalist Dan Marsala, lead guitarist Ryan Phillips, rhythm guitarist and back up vocalist Philip Sneed, bassist Adam Russell and drummer Josh Wills. Initially named Big Blue Monkey, they changed their name to Story of the Year in 2002 because a blues group of the same name had already existed.
It would not be until eight years after forming that Story of the Year saw its first piece of commercial success in its major label debut, Page Avenue, containing the popular singles "Until the Day I Die" and "Anthem of Our Dying Day". A second album, In the Wake of Determination, followed in 2005, but did not achieve the success of its predecessor. The band has returned with their third album The Black Swan, their first on Epitaph Records, which was released on April 22, 2008.
The band toured with Linkin Park on the Meteora World Tour in 2004 along with P.O.D. and Hoobastank.
The band's fourth, The Constant, was released on February 16, 2010 through Epitaph Records.
On March 8, 2013 it was announced that the band are planning on a world tour.
Cannonball
Story of the Year Lyrics
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Yeah
This clock is counting down
To a final resignation
Another crowning curtain call
A global meltdown
Leaves a trail of devastation
We've never seen this kind of world
It's a warning to us all
We've never seen this kind of world
And I hope that we can stop this cannonball
Stop this cannonball
We play the lead role
With a lack of education
And pay a price we'll never know
Our future's been sold
By a profit margin generation
We're all invited to the show, oh you know
We've never seen this kind of world
It's a warning to us all
We've never seen this kind of world
It's a warning to us all
We've never seen this kind of world
And I hope that we can stop this cannonball
Stop this cannonball
'Cause when it all comes crashing down
Down from above there will be no salvation
Is there anything that can save us, from ourselves
Oh!
We've never seen this kind of world
It's a warning to us all
No, we've never seen this kind of world
It's a warning to us all
Oh, we've never seen this, we've never seen this, kind of world
Oh, we've never seen this, we've never seen this
And I hope that we can stop this cannonball
Stop this cannonball
Oh!
The lyrics in Story of the Year's song "Cannonball" are a powerful commentary on the state of the world today. The song begins by painting a bleak picture of a world in crisis, with a clock counting down to a final resignation and a "global meltdown" leaving a "trail of devastation." The second verse is more introspective, pointing the finger at mankind's own lack of education and past mistakes that have resulted in a forfeited future. The chorus is a call for collective action, a desire to "stop this cannonball" of destruction from inevitably crashing down on us.
The song's driving beat and passionate vocals add to the sense of urgency and importance of the message in the lyrics. The use of the metaphor of a cannonball represents the impending doom that we face as a society if we don't take action to change our ways. The song's overall message is a warning to humanity to change course before it's too late, to be more responsible and take better care of the world we live in. The stress on the idea that we have never seen this kind of world before adds to the sense of urgency in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Expressing agreement and excitement.
This clock is counting down
Time is limited and running out.
To a final resignation
Acceptance of an inevitable end.
Another crowning curtain call
A final performance.
A global meltdown
A catastrophic event affecting the entire world.
Leaves a trail of devastation
Causes widespread destruction and ruin.
It carves the writing on the wall, oh you know
A clear and ominous sign of what is to come.
We've never seen this kind of world
A new and dangerous reality.
It's a warning to us all
A message of caution and concern.
And I hope that we can stop this cannonball
The urgent need for action to prevent disaster.
Stop this cannonball
Prevent the unstoppable destructive force from taking over.
We play the lead role
We are the main character in our own story.
With a lack of education
Without proper knowledge or understanding.
And pay a price we'll never know
The cost of our ignorance and inaction will never be fully understood.
Our future's been sold
Our prospects for the future have been traded away for profit.
By a profit margin generation
A generation driven by greed and financial gain.
We're all invited to the show, oh you know
Everyone is involved and affected by the unfolding events.
'Cause when it all comes crashing down
When everything falls apart and crumbles.
Down from above there will be no salvation
There will be no escape or rescue from the catastrophic consequences.
Is there anything that can save us, from ourselves
The question of whether or not we can save ourselves from our own destructive tendencies.
No, we've never seen this kind of world
Reiterating the unprecedented nature of the current situation.
Oh, we've never seen this, we've never seen this
Emphasizing the seriousness and urgency of the situation.
And I hope that we can stop this cannonball
Reaffirming the desperate need for action to prevent disaster.
Stop this cannonball
Restate the plea to halt the destructive force.
Oh!
Expressing a strong emotion or reaction.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAN MARSALA, RYAN PHILLIPS, ADAM RUSSELL, PHILLIP SNEED, JOSHUA WILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind