‘Cannonball’ by Damien Rice found murdered by X-Factor winner

The song ‘Cannonball’ by singer-songwriter Damien Rice was found dead today in an incident that police say they are treating as murder. X-Factor winners Little Mix are being sought in connection with the death. ‘Cannonball’ was just nine years old.

‘There aren’t words to describe how I feel,’ said a tearful Damien Rice at a press conference today. ‘You read about this sort of thing happening to other artists but you never imagine it will happen to you. I just keep asking ‘why me?’ All anyone hopes is that when the time comes to say goodbye to their songs, they go painlessly, but from the recordings I’ve heard it sounds as if ‘Cannonball’ really suffered in its final hours.’

‘Cannonball’, which enjoyed brief fame in 2004 when it reached number 19 in the UK charts after being re-released, was described by Rice as an easygoing song. ‘Like all my songs, it never set out to offend anyone. It kept itself to itself, you know. I just can’t believe that anyone could do something like this to a piece of music – it’s horrible.’

Passers-by reported finding the dismembered remains of ‘Cannonball’ in record stores up and down the UK this morning, but despite the best efforts of the emergency services it was already too late to save it. ‘We think we’re looking for a group of amateurs because whoever committed this horrific act made a right mess of it,’ said a police spokesman. ‘They have shown total disregard for the sanctity of a melody. Our biggest concern now is that unless they are stopped they could go on to commit further atrocities.’

Police are conducting a nationwide hunt for the killer, but recognise that finding the culprit may not be easy. ‘In similar cases the perpetrator has tended to go to ground after one high-profile massacre. We’re still searching for whoever butchered Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ three years ago. However, the public should be warned that Little Mix are considered dangerous and under no circumstances should they be approached with your ears uncovered.’

A media inquest into the death will be held next week, but Rice now just wants closure on the tragedy. ‘All I ask is that the media respect my right to carry on with my career in private, and give me and my family the time and space we need to come to terms with our life-changing royalties.’

AberdeenSteve wrote:And what about Leona Lewis's cover of Johnny Cash's Hurt?

I literally wanted to die whilst listening

AberdeenSteve wrote:And what about Leona Lewis's cover of Nine Inch Nail's Hurt?

I literally wanted to die whilst listening

Cari wrote:What about that awful girl who sang U2's With Or Without You a couple of years ago? I think her name was Diane, and she did this weird claw like thing with her hand when she sang. Absolutely murdered that song.

Actually just found it...here it is (if you're of a sensitive disposition, for the love of Bono do not click on the link!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCoM-N84qVM

Oh and Leona Lewis doing Snow Patrol - NO!

AberdeenSteve wrote:And what about Leona Lewis's cover of Johnny Cash's Hurt?

I literally wanted to die whilst listening

Some people asking about Cannonball. Once a song is released, anyone can record/release a version without approval, upon certain condition

Electric Demon wrote:Don't blame pop stars or the X Factor;

Blame Damien Rice, Simon Neil, Trent Reznor, Gary Lightbody etc. who obviously couldn't put their artistic sensibilities ahead of the royalties generated by a guaranteed half a million single sales.

Nice Christmas bonus hey...

They can say no if it really matters to them.

Electric Demon wrote:He doesn't actually say (in that tweet) that he didn't approve it though.

Josiah Maiestas wrote:Haterz

Just cause your favourite lost

Cari wrote:Macclads makes a valid point. Some old classics have been introduced to younger audiences through the likes of X Factor, but there's also the danger of the newer versions overshadowing the original.

Demon - to be fair some covers on Live Lounge are great.