Cannonball
The Breeders Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Check, check, check)
(One, two)
(One, two)

Spitting in a wishing well
Blown to hell, crash
I'm the last splash
I know you, little libertine
I know you're a real cuckoo

Want you cuckoo cannonball
Want you cuckoo cannonball
In the shade, in the shade
In the shade, in the shade

I know you, little libertine
I know you're a cannonball

I'll be your whatever you want
The bong in this reggae song

In the shade
In the shade
Want you cuckoo cannonball
Want you cuckoo cannonball

Spitting in a wishing well
Blown to hell, crash
I'm the last splash

I'll be your whatever you want
The bong in this reggae song

Want you cuckoo cannonball
Want you cuckoo cannonball




In the shade, in the shade
In the shade, in the shade

Overall Meaning

The Breeders' "Cannonball" is a playful, yet cryptic song that can be interpreted in a number of ways. At its core, it seems to be about the singer's fascination with someone who is wild, free-spirited, and perhaps a little bit dangerous - the "little libertine" and "cuckoo" of the lyrics. The singer describes themselves as a "cannonball" too, suggesting that they share some of these qualities or are drawn to them. The central image of the song is that of a "wishing well" that the singer spits in, only to have it "blown to hell" - perhaps a metaphor for the way their desires and expectations have been shattered. Despite this, the singer still wants to be with the other person, and the chorus repeats the phrase "Want you cuckoo cannonball" over and over again, like a mantra.


At the same time, there are a number of odd, seemingly disconnected lyrics that make the song feel dream-like and surreal. References to a "bong in this reggae song" and being "the last splash" are both obscure and intriguing - they suggest a world beyond the immediate context of the song, one that the audience is only glimpsing a portion of. For some listeners, these may be the most interesting parts of the song, as they add layers of depth and strangeness to an already enigmatic piece.


Line by Line Meaning

Spitting in a wishing well
Expressing oneself freely despite the consequences that may arise


Blown to hell, crash
Experiencing a catastrophic fall due to one's own actions


I'm the last splash
Asserting oneself as the final climactic event, making a lasting impression


I know you, little libertine
Understanding someone's careless and unrestrained way of life


I know you're a real cuckoo
Acknowledging someone's erratic and unpredictable behavior


Want you cuckoo cannonball
Desiring someone who is exciting and unpredictable


In the shade, in the shade
Enjoying a relaxed atmosphere away from scrutiny


I'll be your whatever you want
Offering oneself completely to the other person


The bong in this reggae song
Referencing the carefree and laid-back lifestyle associated with reggae music




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kim Deal

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@quintfl

Lyrics
Spitting in a wishing well
Blown to hell, crash
I'm the last splash
I know you, little libertine
I know you're a real cuckoo
Want you cuckoo cannonball
Want you cuckoo cannonball
In the shade, in the shade
In the shade, in the shade
I know you, little libertine
I know you're a cannonball
I'll be your whatever you want
The bong in this reggae song
In the shade
In the shade
Want you cuckoo cannonball
Want you cuckoo cannonball
Spitting in a wishing well
Blown to hell, crash
I'm the last splash
I'll be your whatever you want
The bong in this reggae song
Want you cuckoo cannonball
Want you cuckoo cannonball
In the shade, in the shade
In the shade, in the shade



@nu-metalfan2654

@@jack-op2460 I disagree, in order to be a genre you need bands that sound similar within that genre. But Alternative used to mean not in the mainstream, and Indie and BritPoP are very mainstream. Imo Alternative isn’t a good term. And we shouldn’t be lumping in subgenres in together as one thing, Nu-Metal, BritPoP and Blues Rock are all worlds apart from each other.

But if we was to put together an umbrella term called Alternative, then the subgenres within that should be 
Nu-Metal/Rap Metal
Grunge/Post Grunge
Funk Metal/Rock
Industrial
Groove Metal
Sludge Metal
and some Stoner bands like QOTSA and Monster Magnet. 
Now those subegenres being together make sense.



@jasonking59

(Check check check
One, two
One, two)

Spitting in a wishing well
Blown to hell
Crash
On the last splash

I know you, little libertine
I know you're a real koo koo

(Hey now)

Want you
Koo koo
Cannonball
Want you
Koo koo
Cannonball
(Hey now)
In the shade
In the shade
(Hey now)
In the shade
In the shade

I know you, little libertine
I know you're a cannonball
I'll be your whatever you want
The bong in this reggae song

(Hey now)
In the shade
(Hey now)
In the shade

Want you
Koo koo
Cannonball
Want you
Koo koo
Cannonball

Spitting in a wishing well
Blown to hell
Crash
I'm the last splash

I'll be your whatever you want
The bong in this reggae song
(Hey
Hey now)

Want you
Koo koo
Cannonball
Want you
Koo koo
Cannonball
(Hey now)
In the shade
In the shade
(Hey now)
In the shade
In the shade



All comments from YouTube:

@kconetwothree6547

One of the best bass intros in music. There might be nothing more 90s that this song. Perfect.

@trinilyfe4404

Facts lol

@thereisnonegoodbutgodjohn363

@@trinilyfe4404 Why should God let you into Heaven?

Have you lied (even once in your entire life), looked with lust (sexual desire), dishonoured parents, stolen anything, had hatred towards someone, had premarital sex, adultery etc If you answered yes to any one of the above then you are a sinner like the rest of us.

So, I ask you again, why should God let a sinner into Heaven?

Sinners don’t go to heaven they go to hell, But we are blessed to have Jesus (God incarnate) die on the Cross and rise from the dead. If you Repent (forsake your sinful, unholy ways and live righteous instead) & Believe in Jesus as God, you will be seen as a Saint and welcomed into Heaven.
John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved

@govetter

Ya. It's that intro bass line... Then, I'm IN! 😎

@jameshetman9307

P😅😅😅

@conorsmith8551

Definitely . This , lounge act , girls and boys and aeroplane for best bass intros of the 90s

74 More Replies...

@MurphMers

It's 2023 and my 13 year old is preforming this at her school concert. Couldn't be more proud!

@franeh13

Beautiful ❤

@PetroLem

This is music of my primary school in 90' ❤ what a memories ... Greetings from Poland.

@kdegraa

Funny

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