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Cannon Balls

Unreleased | 2011

“Cannon Balls” is an unreleased song by Justin Bieber featuring Taylor. It was written in August 2011 and meant for his third studio album, Believe (2012). In the end, it didn’t make the cut. The demo of the song leaked on October 12, 2023.
Table of Contents

Background and Recording

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.

Guitartist Tom Strahle revealed in 2020 what happened afterwards. A few days after the songwriting session, Justin was back in the studio to work on “Cannon Balls.” 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.

In the end, the song was never released, probably because Justin and Selena Gomez broke up and Taylor stuck by her best friend’s side. Justin’s camp simply said that “Cannon Balls” didn’t fit the final vibe of the album: “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.”

Taylor and Justin aren’t on good terms, so the song will likely never be released.

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Taylor Swift]
One thing I know, love isn’t easy
But it’s not this hard, yeah
We built this love up so high
And we shot through it like a cannonball

[Pre-Chorus 1: Taylor Swift]
I’m not here to play these games
Now our love is not the same
And I know who you are

[Chorus: Taylor Swift & Justin Bieber]
‘Cause your love’s like a cannonball
I don’t want to treat this love like a battle
There was a time I was on your side
But not anymore
Your love’s like a cannonball
‘Cause no one wins
No body gives you a metal
And both of us would take the fall
‘Cause your love’s like a cannonball

[Verse 2: Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift]
Hang up the phone
I’m pretty used to it
Telling me it’s all my fault
And I was trying to blow you down (Down)

[Pre-Chorus 2: Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Both]
And I always told you I don’t want to fight with you
But it’s looking like the wrong is always looking right with you
And baby, I don’t want to do this anymore (Anymore, anymore)
I’m not here to fight these wars
So you storm off and slam the door
I think you like this

[Chorus: Taylor Swift & Justin Bieber]
‘Cause your love’s like a cannonball
I don’t want to treat this love like a battle
There was a time I was on your side
But not anymore
Your love’s like a cannonball
‘Cause no one wins
No body gives you a metal
And both of us would take the fall
‘Cause your love’s like a cannonball

[Bridge: Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Both]
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’ll be gone like a cannonball

[Final Chorus: Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Both]
You’re gone like a cannonball
So far away (Away)
Gone like a cannonball
And it’s too late
Gone like a cannonball
I’ve had all I can take
Gone like a cannonball
And there’s nothing left to say
‘Cause I’m gone like a cannonball

General Information
StatusUnreleased
LeakedMarch 2020
RecordedAugust 26-31, 2011
GenreAcoustic
Pop
LengthUnknown
SongwritersTaylor Swift
Justin Bieber
ProducerJosh Gudwin
Taylor & Justin on Punk'd