(Straight to Your Heart) Like a Cannonball

"(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"
Released1972
GenreCountry rock
Length3:43
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)Van Morrison
Producer(s)Van Morrison, Ted Templeman
Van Morrison singles chronology
"Tupelo Honey"
(1971)		 "(Straight to Your Heart) Like a Cannonball"
(1972)		 "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)"
(1972)

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 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

"(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 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
  1. Maginnis, Tom. "(Straight to Your Heart) Like a Cannonball". Allmusic. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  2. Mills, Peter (2010). Hymns to the Silence: Inside the Words and Music of Van Morrison. Continuum. p. 24. ISBN 978-0826429766.
  3. "Van Morrison's greatest albums - a baker's dozen recommended recordings". Goldmine. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  4. Landau, Jon (November 25, 1971). "Tupelo Honey". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2008-10-04. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  5. Hage, Erik (2009). The Words and Music of Van Morrison. Praeger. p. 57. ISBN 9780313358623.
  6. Hilburn, Robert (November 7, 1971). "The Yes or No of Album Rating". Los Angeles Times. p. 42. Retrieved 2020-08-03 – via newspapers.com.
  7. Renoff, Gregg (2020). Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer's Life In Music. ECW Press. ISBN 9781773054797.
  8. Hugg, Judy (November 22, 1971). "Morrison Recalls Early Days". Austin American-Statesman. p. 58. Retrieved 2020-08-03 – via newspapers.com.
  9. Heylin, Clinton (2004). Can You Feel the Silence?: Van Morrison: A New Biography. Chicago Review Press. p. 248. ISBN 978-1556525421.
  10. "New Radio Action and Billboard Pick Singles" (PDF). Billboard. March 18, 1972. p. 58. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  11. "Bubbling Under the Hot 100" (PDF). Billboard. April 8, 1972. p. 45. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  12. "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. March 18, 1972. p. 12. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  13. Laycock, John (November 6, 1971). "Morrison walks in the sun". Windsor Star. p. 44. Retrieved 2020-08-03 – via newspapers.com.
  14. Lorance, Dink (February 12, 1972). "Nitty Gritty Up with Another Hit LP". The Dispatch. p. A-10. Retrieved 2020-08-03 – via newspapers.com.
  15. Humphries, Patrick (1997). The Complete Guide to the Music of Van Morrison. Omnibus Press. p. 18. ISBN 0711956006.
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