"Cannonball" is a song by American alternative rock band the Breeders from their second studio album, Last Splash (1993).

[2] The rhythm of the introduction is constructed from metallic clicking on a snare rim and cymbal stand, which is tapped out by the Breeders drummer Jim McPherson.

[3] The loud, distorted voice of Kim Deal at the beginning of the song was achieved by singing closely into a harmonica microphone, which can also be seen in most live performances.

[3] According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by EMI Music Publishing, the song is written in the time signature of common time, with a moderately fast rock tempo of 112 beats per minute[7] and composed in the key of E-flat major (E♭), while Kim Deal's vocal range spans from a low of E♭3 to a high of B♭4.

It is nearly a full minute into the song before the introduction of its vocal melody, with Deal slyly cooing humorous lyrics.

[3] Its musical arrangement features stuttering, start-and-stop transitions before evening out into an infectious, melodic hook layered with sweet vocal harmonies, with Deal and the band repeating the line: "In the shade/In the shade.

[3] In a 1996 interview with the Phoenix New Times, Deal stated the song was inspired by, as well as intended to poke fun of, the writings of French revolutionary Marquis de Sade.

NME,[9] Melody Maker[10] and The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop annual year-end critics' poll all named it best single of 1993, which helped propel the album Last Splash to platinum status.

[13] It features the band in a garage, and Kim and Kelley Deal in what seems to be a dressing room trashed with clothes, sitting in a chair together.