What makes Cannonball by Skylar Grey notable?

Cannonball achieved commercial success, peaking at number 16 on the US Billboard Hot 100, which solidified Grey's presence as a solo artist. The song's themes of resilience resonated with listeners and contributed to its widespread radio play, making it a notable entry in pop music of the mid-2010s. Released as Skylar Grey's debut single from her album of the same name, Cannonball marked a significant moment in her career following her work as a featured artist and songwriter for others. At this point, she was transitioning from behind-the-scenes collaborator to a prominent solo artist, aiming to establish her own identity in the music industry.

How many songs are on Cannonball?

Cannonball has 1 track, running approximately 3 minutes.

Cannonball

Skylar Grey · 2015

3 min · 1 track · pop music

An empowering pop anthem driven by dynamic production and Skylar Grey's soaring, emotive vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Cannonball — The title track serves as a powerful declaration of self-empowerment, showcasing Grey's vocal strength and lyrical depth while setting the tone for the rest of the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

33 /100

Lowland

Higher than 0% of albums we've rated

The single has solid production and a catchy hook but lacks depth and variety.

What we noticed

The track features a steady mid-tempo beat with layered synths and a prominent bass line that drives the rhythm.
Skylar Grey's vocal delivery alternates between soft verses and a more powerful chorus, creating dynamic contrast.
The song employs a repetitive hook that reinforces its central theme, making it memorable but also predictable.

Composition 25% of the score: 5/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 4/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 3/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Marked her transition to a solo artist with commercial success and wider recognition.
Career context: Released as Skylar Grey's debut single from her album of the same name, Cannonball marked a significant moment in her career following her work as a featured artist and songwriter for others. At this point, she was transitioning from behind-the-scenes collaborator to a prominent solo artist, aiming to establish her own identity in the music industry.
Stylistic neighbors: Halsey· Sia· Lana Del Rey