Cannonball by Lea Michele Lyrics Meaning – The Anthem of Resilience and Liberation
Lyrics
Break it down
Break it down
I was scared to death I was losing my mind
Break it down
I couldn’t close my eyes I was pacing all night
I think I found the light out the end of the tunnel
I couldn’t find the truth I was going under
But I won’t hide inside
I gotta get out, gotta get out
Gotta get out, gotta get out
Lonely inside and light the fuse
Light it now, light it now, light it now
And now I will start living today
Today, today I close the door
I got this new beginning and I will fly
I’ll fly like a cannonball
Like a cannonball
Like a cannonball
I’ll fly, I’ll fly, I’ll fly like a cannonball
Freedom
I let go of fear and the peace came quickly
Freedom
I was in the dark and then it hit me
I chose suffering and pain in the falling rain
I know, I gotta get out into the world again
But I won’t hide inside
I gotta get out, gotta get out
Gotta get out, gotta get out
Lonely inside and light the fuse
Light it now, light it now, light it now
And now I will start living today
Today, today I close the door
I got this new beginning and I will fly
I’ll fly like a cannonball
Like a cannonball
Like a cannonball
I’ll fly, I’ll fly, I’ll fly like a cannonball
Break it down
I was scared to death I was losing my mind
Break it down
I gotta get out into the world again
And now I will start living today
Today, today I close the door
I got this new beginning and I will fly
I’ll fly like a cannonball
Like a cannonball
Like a cannonball
I’ll fly, I’ll fly, I’ll fly like a cannonball
Like a cannonball
Like a cannonball
I’ll fly, I’ll fly, I’ll fly like a cannonball
Lea Michele, best known for her role as Rachel Berry on the hit TV show ‘Glee,’ channels her innate ability to captivate an audience not just with powerful performances on screen, but through the compelling narrative of her music. ‘Cannonball,’ her debut single from her album ‘Louder,’ is a triumphant battle cry—a testament to the indomitable human spirit and Michele’s personal growth.
Produced in the wake of personal tragedy, ‘Cannonball’ carries the emotional weight of Michele’s world while simultaneously offering a universal message of hope. The song is intrinsically tied to Michele’s process of grieving and healing, making it a poignant example of art imitating life.
Escaping the Clutches of Grief: A Dive into Michele’s Personal Evolution
‘Cannonball’ emerged from the shadows cast by the untimely passing of Michele’s then-boyfriend and fellow ‘Glee’ star Cory Monteith. The lyrics exude a raw vulnerability, painting a picture of someone teetering on the edge of despair. ‘I was scared to death I was losing my mind,’ she confesses, a line that speaks volumes about the overwhelming nature of grief and the fear of being consumed by it.
Yet, there’s an undeniable strength that courses through the song. The repetitive mantra ‘I gotta get out, gotta get out,’ serves as both a personal reminder and a battle cry to break free from the paralysis of her pain. In embracing the imagery of the cannonball, Michele signals a transformative release from her anguish, one that propels her forward into a new, fearless existence.
The Hidden Meaning: Rise from the Ashes
While on the surface ‘Cannonball’ seems to be about overcoming a period of darkness, the song’s hidden meaning is deeply rooted in rebirth. It’s the musical embodiment of the phoenix rising from the ashes. Michele doesn’t just sing about survival; she belts out the profound realization that from the ruins of her old self, a more formidable version is born.
The song’s bridge acts as the turning point, the climax of Michele’s metamorphosis. ‘I let go of fear and the peace came quickly,’ she proclaims, highlighting the liberating power of surrender and the subsequent inner calm that follows the acceptance of change. Michele is no longer held down by her past; she is free to soar.
A Sonic Boom: The Explosive Power of ‘Cannonball’
The musical composition of ‘Cannonball’ mirrors its lyrical catharsis. The track starts with a haunting, subdued intro that escalates into a ground-shaking chorus. It’s in Michele’s passionate, soaring vocals where the listener can truly grasp the magnitude of her emotional odyssey. The sound of release that ‘Cannonball’ delivers is nothing short of explosive.
Every crescendo is carefully crafted to evoke the sense that Michele is steadily building the required momentum to launch herself, like a cannonball, out of the darkness and into the stratosphere of her new life. The anthemic quality of the song makes it an empowering soundtrack for anyone facing their own trials.
The Lyrical Journey of Transformation
The narrative arc within ‘Cannonball’ is as clear in its poeticism as it is in its raw emotion. Beginning with the acknowledgment of pain, Michele takes listeners through the stages of her turmoil, culminating in the conscious choice to begin anew: ‘Today I close the door,’ serving as both a literal and figurative closure on her previous chapter.
The idea of the ‘new beginning’ is crucial to the song’s structure as well as its message. Michele isn’t just passively waiting for change; she actively chases it, willing herself to embrace the freedom that comes with letting go. Each time she commits to flight—’I’ll fly like a cannonball’—she reinforces her decision to rise above and move beyond her grief.
The Memorable Line: ‘Like a Cannonball’
‘Like a cannonball.’ These three words, though simple, are laden with meaning and become the song’s memorable and defining line. They encapsulate the essence of the transformation Michele is championing. A cannonball is not only an object that moves with purpose, direction, and speed but also represents a dramatic force of change.
Moreover, the repetition of the phrase throughout the song cements its significance and creates a rallying call that listeners can adopt as their own. It’s a reminder that at any given moment, one has the power to cast aside their fears, take control of their narrative, and explode into the world with a renewed sense of purpose and vigor.
