The loose cannon

THE LOOSE CANNON

(Low smoky female alto with natural rasp and gritty rockabilly edge. Cocky, mischievous, flirtatious, with pirate-tavern swagger. Strong rhythmic phrasing, occasional growl and spoken sass. Energetic without screaming—she sounds like she’s grinning while causing trouble.)

(Wooden floor boot stomps)

(Single fiddle scrape)

(Rowdy background “HEY!”)

(Slap bass kicks into a dirty rockabilly swing)

(Twangy electric guitar answers)

Verse 1

I never learned to bite my tongue,

I just got tired of holding on

To words that everybody else

Was too damn polite to ever say themselves.

I know the line, I see it clear,

I just don’t see the point of staying here

Behind it, playing nice, playing small,

Watching everybody miss the wrecking ball.

(Slap bass gets heavier, boot stomps build)

(Fiddle starts answering the vocal)

Pre-Chorus

So don’t tell me to calm down,

I’ve heard that one before.

I’m not here to fit in quiet,

I’m here to even scores.

(Brief full-band stop)

(Gang shout: “HEY!”)

(Band crashes into chorus)

Chorus

I’m the loose cannon, the wildcard, the spark,

I go off when it’s bright, I go off in the dark.

You can’t predict me, you can’t hold the reins,

I’m the thing that got loose, and I’m not coming back again.

(Stomping pirate-rockabilly groove)

I’m the loose cannon—

Nobody sees me coming.

(Short fiddle-and-guitar duel)

(Slap bass pulls the song back into its swagger)

Verse 2

They call it reckless, I call it free,

Funny how that always seems to be

The difference between a girl who complies

And one who finally opened up her eyes.

I know exactly what I’m breaking here,

Every rule was never about my fear.

I just decided I was worth the risk

Of being everything they didn’t expect.

(Boot stomps build)

(Snare rolls underneath)

Pre-Chorus

So don’t tell me to calm down,

I’ve heard that one before.

I’m not here to fit in quiet,

I’m here to even scores.

(Brief silence)

(Rowdy gang shout: “HEY!”)

Chorus

I’m the loose cannon, the wildcard, the spark,

I go off when it’s bright, I go off in the dark.

You can’t predict me, you can’t hold the reins,

I’m the thing that got loose, and I’m not coming back again.

I’m the loose cannon—

Nobody sees me coming.

(Music abruptly strips down)

(Boot stomp, upright bass and dirty guitar hits only)

(Female vocal becomes sharp, cocky and almost spoken)

Bridge

You wanted me quiet.

You wanted me small.

(Pause)

Should’ve read the warning label

Before you let me off the wall.

(Cannon blast)

(Full band crashes back in)

(Fiddle goes wild over pounding rockabilly drums)

Final Chorus

I’m the loose cannon, the wildcard, the spark,

I go off when it’s bright, I go off in the dark.

You can’t predict me, you can’t hold the reins,

I’m the thing that got loose, and I’m not coming back again.

You wanted a warning—should’ve listened when I laughed.

(FULL BAND STOPS)

(Spoken with a wicked grin)

I’m the Loose Cannon.

(Beat)

Now deal with the aftermath.

(Cannon blast)

(Rowdy tavern laughter and “H