Cannonball

**Cannonball** is a single released by American singer and songwriter, Skylar Grey. The song was written by Grey, Sam Harris, Noah Feldshuh, Casey Harris, Adam Levin and Alex da Kid, produced by the latter, and features the band X Ambassadors. "**Cannonball**" is on *FIFA 16* soundtrack, and was announced by *The Independent*. It received official digital release on September 25, 2015 "Cannonball" was to support the US collaborative tour between Grey and X Ambassadors. The song sold around 25,000 digital copies in the United States.

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1: Skylar Grey]**

Well they can try to sink us, but I'll just swim

Because my will is stronger than a gale force wind

**[Pre-Chorus: Skylar Grey]**

Look out, look out, cause each time I fall

I'll be crashing down, right through your walls

**[Chorus: X Ambassadors]**

Here I come

Cannonball, cannonball

Here I come

Cannonball, cannonball, cannonball

**[Verse 2: Skylar Grey]**

And when they light their torches, when they scream and yell

I'm gonna raise my flag and gonna give 'em hell

**[Pre-Chorus: Skylar Grey]**

Look out, look out, cause each time I fall

I'll be crashing down, right through your walls

**[Chorus: X Ambassadors]**

Here I come

Cannonball, cannonball

Here I come

Cannonball, cannonball, cannonball

**[Bridge: Skylar Grey]**

At the end of the day

When the air is still and the sky is grey with smoke

Who will be standing?

I challenge you all

Bombs away, bombs away

**[Outro: X Ambassadors]**

Here I come

Cannonball, cannonball

Here I come

Cannonball, cannonball

Here I come

Cannonball, cannonball

Here I come

Cannonball, cannonball, cannonball

## Background

Grey released her debut album under her new name in 2013, after almost 3 years of promotion. Between the end of the album promotion and the releasing of "Cannonball", Skylar worked with several artists as David Guetta, Nicki Minaj and Eminem. She has also worked in many soundtracks since Fifty Shades of Grey to Furious 7.[9] Now, former Holly Brook stated "Sam and I wrote Cannonball about the power of will and how it can be an underdog’s greatest advantage. It’s one of my most energetic songs off the new album, but I’m definitely weaving my folky roots into everything these days".

## Critical reception

The song was well received by the music critics. Robbie Daw from *Idolator* described the song as a "moody little guitar-driven number", and called it an "appropriate fit" for the musician. Nick Walter from *103.3 the App*, like many other sites, spotted some similarities to Ambassadors' own hit single Renegades, which were mainly the harmonies and acoustic guitars brought by them, giving some kind of folkness to the song. Ameristream site also stated that Grey's song is the "kissing cousin" of the band's, but in a good way.

## Commercial performance

Since its release, the song has reached the top 50 on American iTunes, and No. 3 at alternative iTunes charts. "Cannonball" has also peaked at No. 5 on iTunes in Fiji and inside the top 90 of Canadian iTunes. The audio has over 1,543,000 plays on VEVO and over 4,232,000 on Spotify to date.

## Music video

The accompanying music video was directed by Daniel Carberry, also responsible by G.R.L.'s "Lighthouse". It was released on October 5 on Vevo. It shows Skylar Grey fighting against olympian medalist Tony Jeffries. As of June 19, the video reached over 1,634,000 views.

## Track listing

* **Digital download**

1. "Cannonball" – 3:53

* **CD Single**

1. "Cannonball"
2. "Closer"

## Charts

position
 US Pop Digital Songs (*Billboard*)[16] | 27