The Ballad of Thunder Road
Robert Mitchum
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Let me tell the story, I can tell it all; About the mountain boy who ran illegal alcohol. His daddy made the whiskey, the son he drove the load; And when his engine roared they called the highway "Thunder Road". Sometimes into Ashville, sometimes Memphis town. The Revenuers chased him but they couldn't run him down. Each time they thought they had him his engine would explode. He'd go by like they were standing still on "Thunder Road". And there was thunder, thunder over "Thunder Road", Thunder was his engine and white lightening was his load. And there was moonshine, moonshine to quench the devil's thirst. The law they swore they'd get him but the devil got him first. It was on the first of April, Nineteen-Fifty-Four The federal man sent word he'd better make his run no more. He said "200 agents were covering the state; Which ever road he tried to take they'd get him sure as fate." 'Son' his daddy told him, 'make this run your last. The tank is filled with 100 proof; you're all tuned-up and gassed. Now don't take any chances, if you can't get through. I'd rather have you back again than all that Mountain Dew.' And there was thunder, thunder over "Thunder Road", Thunder was his engine and white lightening was his load. And there was moonshine, moonshine to quench the devil's thirst. The law they swore they'ed get him but the devil got him first. Roaring out of Harlan; revving up his mill. He shot the Gap at Cumberland and streamed by Maynardville. With G men on his tail light; road block up ahead, The mountain boy took roads that even angels fear to tread. Blazing right through Knoxville, out on Kingston Pike, Then right outside of Bearden, they made the fatal strike. He left the road at 90; that's all there is to say, The devil got the moonshine and the mountain boy that day. And there was thunder, thunder over "Thunder Road", Thunder was his engine and white lightening was his load. And there was moonshine, moonshine to quench the devil's thirst. The law they never got him 'cause the devil got him first.
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Written by: DON RAYE, ROBERT MITCHUM
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Artist BackgroundThe song "The Ballad of Thunder Road" was performed by Robert Mitchum, who was not only a famous actor known for his roles in films like "The Night of the Hunter" and "Cape Fear," but also a musician.
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Film ConnectionThe song was the theme for the 1958 film "Thunder Road," in which Mitchum starred. He portrayed the character of a daring moonshine runner.
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Song CompositionMitchum is credited as one of the songwriters for "The Ballad of Thunder Road," along with Don Raye. This reflected his versatile talent extending beyond acting to music writing and singing.
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Chart SuccessDespite Mitchum's primary identification as an actor, "The Ballad of Thunder Road" achieved respectable success on the music charts. It peaked at number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
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Simultaneous ReleasesInterestingly, the song and the movie of the same name were released in the same year, 1958. This allowed for effective cross-promotion and marketing.
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Song Theme"The Ballad of Thunder Road" tells the story of a moonshine runner in the American South during Prohibition, tying directly into the plot of its corresponding film.
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Use of Sound EffectsUniquely, the song is interspersed with sound effects that mimic car noises and police sirens, adding a sense of drama and immersing listeners into the song's narrative.
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Lasting LegacyMitchum's rendition of the song has been covered by various artists over the years, demonstrating its enduring appeal and influence.
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Genre BlendingThe song blends elements of country and rock and roll, reflecting the crossover between these genres in the 1950s.
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Tailored PromotionTo further promote the song and the movie, Mitchum performed the song on popular television shows at the time, including 'The Ed Sullivan Show'.
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Use in MediaOver the years, the song has been used in a number of films and television shows beyond its initial association with "Thunder Road," helping to keep it alive in popular culture.
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Citation
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"The Ballad of Thunder Road Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1693606/Robert+Mitchum/The+Ballad+of+Thunder+Road>.
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