Greg wrote Cannonball post-COVID lockdown when things were starting to open back up and then it just overnight seemed to be, in many ways, back to where we were before. Always running from place to place, Greg never enough time in the day to finish work or hang with his kids, etc. That snapback to reality happened so quickly - the metaphors “take a drink from the waterfall” and “take a shot from the cannonball” are in reference to that jolt. The bridge is a reference to that alternate reality of COVID life when Greg never felt guilty about prioritizing family over work. The lyrics describe this false reality but also looking back fondly upon them in a way “It’s not always what it seems - lost inside this color scheme - you could give us what we need - a reminder.” As weird and scary as that time was, there are elements of it that Townsend came to miss, mostly related to how close he became with his two sons.

The wordless chorus is an homage to David Crosby, One of Greg’s favorite artists and a massive influence on his music. Instrumentally, a lot of people think the lead guitar part at the intro is a banjo. It is most definitely an electric guitar and Greg didn’t even notice the similarity to banjo until after he played the mixes for some friends and family and they asked who was playing the banjo. Mike “Slomo” Brenner added the pedal steel ambiance to the bridge and outro. 

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Greg Townsend