She grew up listening to her Dad write and sing the blues and started performing with him in his blues bands when she was a kid. She fell in love with the sincerity of Etta, the soul of Muddy and the power of Big Mama. When she got older she started writing hooks for and performing with local rappers from Eugene. She fell in love with hip-hop, with its authenticity. Now she's married to em both. DIRTY SHINE!
ZZ Ward Links:
http://www.zzward.com
http://www.facebook.com/ZZWard
http://soundcloud.com/zzward
Cannonball
ZZ Ward Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crown and coke on a table by my bed
I'm laying here like it's my grave
A bag of bones with a fire in my head
Oh, yes, I am
I tell you, no, then I start to give in
You tear me down, then we do it all over again
I'm down on my knees and I'm screamin'
I'm a fiend, and I'm beggin' you, please
If you don't love me, baby, just stop
Tell me, how can it be I'm still bleedin'
I can't quit, I need help, set me free
Shook me up 'cause you know that I'll cry
Fly, then I fall every time that you call
I'm nothin' but your cannonball (cannonball)
When you was hungry
Girl, you came knockin' at my door, yeah
I fed you misery 'til you kept comin' on back
And comin' on back for more, mmm
My heart was homeless
My lust, for vampires and whores
Still you kept comin' on back for more
C'mon, girl
I'm down on my knees and I'm screamin'
I'm a fiend, and I'm beggin' you, please
If you don't love me, baby, just stop (no, no, no)
Tell me, how can it be I'm still bleedin'
I can't quit, I need help, set me free (I want to get outta here, I wanna go home)
Shook me up (oh whoa whoa)
Fly, then I fall every time that you call
I'm nothin' but your cannonball (your cannonball)
(Cannonball)
I tell you, "no", then I start to give in (let's do)
You tear me down, then we do it all over again (Let's do it all over again, mmm)
In ZZ Ward's "Cannonball", the singer paints a picture of being stuck in a toxic relationship that they can't seem to escape. They are lying alone in bed, perhaps in the aftermath of an argument or emotional turmoil, with a drink by their side. The singer admits to being weak and giving in to their partner's demands despite initially saying no. Their partner is described as tearing them down repeatedly, leading to the singer's heartache and desperation. The chorus of the song is an emotional plea to be set free from this destructive cycle, as the singer compares themselves to a cannonball being launched and then falling every time their partner calls them back in. All they want is to break free from this cycle and end the pain that they are experiencing.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the rain on the rooftop
I'm aware of my surroundings, but my mind is consumed with thoughts of you.
Crown and coke on a table by my bed
I drink myself to sleep every night in a desperate attempt to forget you.
I'm laying here like it's my grave
I feel as if I'm dying inside without you by my side.
A bag of bones with a fire in my head
I'm physically weak, but emotionally consumed with desire for you.
Oh, yes, I am
I'm helpless to resist your pull on me.
I tell you, no, then I start to give in
I try to resist your advances, but I always end up giving into them.
You tear me down, then we do it all over again
You hurt me emotionally, but I keep coming back to you despite the pain.
And again
This vicious cycle repeats over and over.
I'm down on my knees and I'm screamin'
I'm at my lowest point and begging for your love.
I'm a fiend, and I'm beggin' you, please
I'm desperate for your affection and willing to do anything for it.
If you don't love me, baby, just stop
If you can't reciprocate my feelings, then it's better if we end things now.
Tell me, how can it be I'm still bleedin'
My heart is still hurting even though you've been gone for a while.
I can't quit, I need help, set me free
I'm addicted to your love and need to break free from its hold on me.
Shook me up 'cause you know that I'll cry
You have the power to emotionally manipulate me and make me cry.
Fly, then I fall every time that you call
I feel like I'm soaring when I'm with you, but always come crashing down when you're gone.
I'm nothin' but your cannonball (cannonball)
I'm completely under your control and powerless to resist you.
When you was hungry
When you needed me, I was there for you.
Girl, you came knockin' at my door, yeah
You sought me out when you needed me, and I fell for you.
I fed you misery 'til you kept comin' on back
I gave you all my sadness and pain, but you only returned for more.
And comin' on back for more, mmm
You kept coming back to me even though I couldn't make you happy.
My heart was homeless
I was lost and alone without your love in my life.
My lust, for vampires and whores
I've been with many women, but none have compared to you.
Still you kept comin' on back for more
Despite my flaws and shortcomings, you kept returning to me.
C'mon, girl
Please don't leave me, I need you in my life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz, Zsuzsanna Eve Ward
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kevindonley3632
Why?? Do the most original and insanely talented genuine artists just go ignored?? Who really controls the music industry?? I would love to hear n honest n true answer!!!💯💯💯
@hanaroosushi
I bought her first album "When the Casket Drops" and have loved her ever since. There's no one with her sound. Every time I played the CD I'd say, "This is one of my favorite songs", then realize I'd said it to every tune. I wasn't as big a fan of her second album, but this song is more like the ZZ that I loved from the beginning. She's an amazing artist with a soulful, bluesy sound all her own. Fantastic voice that's full of attitude. If you're not familiar with her work, you owe it to yourself to listen to more of her stuff - especially the songs on her first album. :-)
Love you ZZ!!
@nicholeb2746
I'm ashamed I'm just discovering her but instant love😍
@ElcsieRetakov
Yes, I love that album too! Missed a show in 14 but I want to see her live.
@nellad6310
the harmonica was just perfection such an underrated instrument
@amberzinck8732
Love me some ZZ. She's bad ass with that harmonica. Get it girl!
@amberlove3424
This collaboration is FIRE! Two of my favorites bringing soul back!
@juliocezarsilva5979
I'm just so fucking GLAD for this! GOD! Authentic neo soul, authentic soulful voices... and authentic harmonica solo, for fuck's sake! I'm all down for ZZ, can't get enough of her.
ZZ. I just hope you're feeling as good making music as I'm feeling listening to it.
Much love from Brazil! <3
@hardlyworkin3603
I agree 100% with comment. This is pure GOLD. A great collaboration. Rock/blues by two incredible singers.
@bjbillotte4121
Her sound is amazing! ✌