“Cannonball” is an unreleased song by Justin Bieber with Taylor Swift which didn't make the cut of Believe.[1]
Background[]
In August 2011, Justin Bieber invited Taylor over to his Malibu beach house “to do a writing session.” He actually ended up pranking her for a TV series called Punk'd. He pushed her to help “try out some fireworks from a Japanese promoter,” which supposedly set a yacht on fire, ruining a wedding. However, after everything was revealed, Justin and Taylor still ended up writing a song together.
Guitarist Tom Strahle revealed in 2019 what happened afterwards. A few days after the songwriting session, Justin was back in the studio to finish working on the song. Vocal producer Kuk Harrell called Tom up to replace Taylor’s guitars because the song used the same three chords for the verse, chorus and the bridge. The next day, Tom got called and was told they loved what he did, but they liked the way it was before better after all. They then wanted Tom to add a guitar solo.[2]
Selena Gomez, even had some high praise for the never-released track.[3]
Release[]
In the end, the Swift tune just didn't fit in with the final vibe of the album, Braun explained: "It didn't go on Believe, because there's another record they want to work on. So, it just didn't make sense at this time, and the song they did just didn't make sense on this album."[4]
A snippet of the song was leaked on February 26, 2023 following it being leaked on a file site called "dbree" on October 12, 2023.[5][6]
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
One thing I know, love isn’t easy
But it’s not this hard, yeah (Yeah)
We built this love up so high and
We shot through it like a cannonball
(Cannonball, cannonball, cannonball)
[Pre-Chorus]
I’m not here to play these games
Now our love is not the same
And I know who you are
[Chorus]
‘Cause your love’s like a cannonball
I don’t wanna treat this love like a battle
There was a time I was on your side but not anymore
‘Cause your love’s like a cannonball
‘Cause no one wins, nobody gives you a medal
And both of us would take the fall
‘Cause your love’s like a cannonball
[Verse 2]
Hang up the phone I’m getting used to it
Telling me it’s all my fault and I was tryna calm you down (Down)
And I always told you I don’t wanna fight with you
But it’s looking like the wrong is always right with you
And baby I don’t wanna do this anymore (Anymore, anymore)
[Pre-Chorus]
I’m not here to fight these wars
You storm off and slam the door
I think you like this, yeah
[Chorus]
‘Cause your love’s like a cannonball
I don’t wanna treat this love like a battle
There was a time I was on your side but not anymore
‘Cause your love’s like a cannonball
‘Cause no one wins, nobody gives you a medal
And both of us would take the fall
‘Cause your love’s like a cannonball
[Bridge]
Up and down, in and out
On and off, scream and shout
Will she stay? Will she go?
With a girl like that you never know
Next time you call, you’ll hear nothing at all
‘Cause I’ve been going like a cannonball
[Guitar instrumental break]
[Outro]
‘Cause I’ve been going like a cannonball
So far away
(‘Cause I’ve been going like a cannonball)
And it’s too late
(‘Cause I’ve been going like a cannonball)
I’ve had all I can take, yeah
(‘Cause I’ve been going like a cannonball)
And there’s nothing left to say
(‘Cause I’ve been going like a cannonball)
(Cannonball, cannonball, cannonball)
References[]
- ↑ Strahle, Tom (March 14, 2020). "Saturday Afternoon Chat". YouTube.
- ↑ Strahle, Tom (November 27, 2019). "Live on Thanksgiving Eve". YouTube.
- ↑ Malkin, Marc (April 19, 2012). "Selena Gomez: Boyfriend Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift Making "Beautiful" Music Together". E! Online.
- ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (July 10, 2012). "Where Are Justin Bieber's Taylor Swift, Kanye West Collabs?". MTV.
- ↑ "SNIPPET Taylor Swift & Justin Bieber - Cannonball". LEAKED. February 26, 2023.
- ↑ "LEAK JUSTIN BIEBER Taylor Swift & Justin Bieber - Cannonball". LEAKED. October 12, 2023.
