Summary
"(Straight to Your Heart) Like a Cannonball" is a song written by Van Morrison that was first released on his 1971 album Tupelo Honey. It was also released as the third single from the album but did not chart.
| "(Straight to Your Heart) Like a Cannonball" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Netherlands single cover | ||||
| Single by Van Morrison | ||||
| from the album Tupelo Honey | ||||
| B-side | "Old Old Woodstock" | |||
| Released | 1972 | |||
| Genre | Country rock | |||
| Length | 3:43 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Van Morrison | |||
| Producer(s) | Van Morrison, Ted Templeman | |||
| Van Morrison singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Lyrics and music edit
The lyrics of "(Straight to Your Heart) Like a Cannonball" propose taking advantage of nature to solve one's problems.[1] An example is the opening verse "Well you know sometimes it gets so hard/And everything don't seem to rhyme/I take a walk out in my backyard and go/Do do loo do do, do do loo, do do."[1] The lyrics show country music influences with references to love, weather and being outdoors.[2][3] In reviewing Tupelo Honey, Rolling Stone critic Jon Landau suggested that "(Straight to Your Heart) Like a Cannonball" "transmutes the expression of generalized need for excitement and fulfillment on [the previous song and hit single] "Wild, Wild Night" into an expression of desire for a single person."[4]
The music is lively with a triple metre time signature.[1][4] The feel of the music shows jazz and R&B influences.[1][4][5] Los Angeles Times critic Robert Hilburn suggested that it as an "uptempo spirit."[6] Producer Ted Templeman felt that Ronnie Montrose's electric guitar playing was particularly effective on this song, stating that his "infectious strummimg and catchy fills made 'Cannonball' worthy of release as a single."[7] Templeman also praised the 2-note hook Montrose played after the "Do do loo do do, do do loo, do do" line that ends most of the verses.[7] Templeman felt that "it was a simple lick that any guitarist could have played but the way he played was special. It brightened the tune right up and gave it this pop sheen."[7] Morrison played acoustic guitar on the song.[7] Copley News Service critic Judy Hugg praised "Boots" Houston's flute playing on the song.[8]
Recording edit
"(Straight to Your Heart) Like a Cannonball" was recorded at Wally Heider Studios in San Francisco, California, during the first set of recording sessions for Tupelo Honey.[9]
Reception edit
Billboard chose "(Straight to Your Heart) Like a Cannonball" as a recommended pop single when the single was released.[10] Nonetheless, "(Straight to Your Heart) Like a Cannonball" failed to make the Billboard Hot 100, topping out on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart at #119.[11]
Record World called it a "superb cut" and said that this "smooth, rolling song highlighted by some great 'la-las' is a natural for just about every kind of music lover."[12] Windsor Star critic John Laycock praised the "cheerful banality" of the song.[13] The Dispatch critic Dink Lorance described it as a "bouncy little number with nice guitar and vocal."[14] Patrick Humphries praised the song's "verve and panache."[15] Music journalist Erik Hage described the song a "focused medicine-show Americana."[5]
References edit
- ^ a b c d Maginnis, Tom. "(Straight to Your Heart) Like a Cannonball". Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
- ^ Mills, Peter (2010). Hymns to the Silence: Inside the Words and Music of Van Morrison. Continuum. p. 24. ISBN 978-0826429766.
- ^ "Van Morrison's greatest albums - a baker's dozen recommended recordings". Goldmine. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
- ^ a b c Landau, Jon (November 25, 1971). "Tupelo Honey". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2008-10-04. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
- ^ a b Hage, Erik (2009). The Words and Music of Van Morrison. Praeger. p. 57. ISBN 9780313358623.
- ^ Hilburn, Robert (November 7, 1971). "The Yes or No of Album Rating". Los Angeles Times. p. 42. Retrieved 2020-08-03 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Renoff, Gregg (2020). Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer's Life In Music. ECW Press. ISBN 9781773054797.
- ^ Hugg, Judy (November 22, 1971). "Morrison Recalls Early Days". Austin American-Statesman. p. 58. Retrieved 2020-08-03 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Heylin, Clinton (2004). Can You Feel the Silence?: Van Morrison: A New Biography. Chicago Review Press. p. 248. ISBN 978-1556525421.
- ^ "New Radio Action and Billboard Pick Singles" (PDF). Billboard. March 18, 1972. p. 58. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
- ^ "Bubbling Under the Hot 100" (PDF). Billboard. April 8, 1972. p. 45. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
- ^ "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. March 18, 1972. p. 12. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
- ^ Laycock, John (November 6, 1971). "Morrison walks in the sun". Windsor Star. p. 44. Retrieved 2020-08-03 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Lorance, Dink (February 12, 1972). "Nitty Gritty Up with Another Hit LP". The Dispatch. p. A-10. Retrieved 2020-08-03 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Humphries, Patrick (1997). The Complete Guide to the Music of Van Morrison. Omnibus Press. p. 18. ISBN 0711956006.