The Thunder Rolls Lyrics
Three thirty in the mornin', not a soul in sight
The city's lookin' like a ghost town on a moonless summer night
Raindrops on the windshield, there's a storm movin' in
He's headin' back from somewhere that he never should have been
[Refrain]
And the thunder rolls
And the thunder rolls
[Verse 2]
Every light is burnin' in a house across town
She's pacin' by the telephone in her faded flannel gown
Askin' for a miracle, hopin' she's not right
Prayin' it's the weather that's kept him out all night
[Refrain]
And the thunder rolls
And the thunder rolls
[Chorus]
The thunder rolls, and the lightnin' strikes
Another love grows cold on a sleepless night
As the storm blows on out of control
Deep in her heart the thunder rolls
She's waitin' by the window when he pulls into the drive
She rushes out to hold him, thankful he's alive
But on the wind and rain a strange new perfume blows
And the lightnin' flashes in her eyes, and he knows that she knows
[Refrain]
And the thunder rolls
And the thunder rolls
[Chorus]
The thunder rolls, and the lightnin' strikes
Another love grows cold on a sleepless night
As the storm blows on out of control
Deep in her heart the thunder rolls
[Verse 4]
She runs back down the hallway, and through the bedroom door
She reaches for the pistol kept in the dresser drawer
Tells the lady in the mirror, "He won't do this again"
'Cause tonight will be the last time she'll wonder where he's been
[Chorus]
The thunder rolls, and the lightnin' strikes
Another love grows cold on a sleepless night
As the storm blows on out of control
Deep in her heart the thunder rolls
About
Released as the fourth and final single from Brooks' album No Fences. The song is about a woman realizing her husband has been involved in extramarital activities.
The fourth verse was not included on the original release, but was eventually included in all of Brooks' live performances and on the Double Live CD/DVD.
Garth said of the song:
There is no doubt that the toughest song in the GB catalog has to be ‘The Thunder Rolls.’ This song came out fighting the day it was released. Originally cut by Tanya Tucker in 1988, it was never put on an album. It came back to us in time for No Fences. My hat’s off to Pat Alger, a great writer and friend, and to music itself, because only music could withstand what this song has gone through.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
The only places to get the full song with the extra verse is either on the Double Live 25th Anniversary Edition compilation album, or via a live show directly.
The single is available on Amazon, as is the album.
- 1.The Thunder Rolls
- 6.Wild Horses
- 9.Mr. Blue
- 10.Wolves