(Straight to Your Heart) Like a Cannonball
1972 single by Van Morrison
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"(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.
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| "(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 | Van Morrison | |||
| Producers | Van Morrison, Ted Templeman | |||
| Van Morrison singles chronology | ||||
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Lyrics and music
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 does not 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 was 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 strumming 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 it 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
"(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
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 vocals."[14] Patrick Humphries praised the song's "verve and panache."[15] Music journalist Erik Hage described the song as "focused medicine-show Americana."[5]