The Thunder Rolls

Content

The first verse talks about a man driving home in torrential rain from "somewhere that he never should have been". His wife is waiting at home for his return "praying it's the weather that's kept him out all night".

When the man does return (in the second verse), the woman rushes out to meet him only to smell a perfume on his person, implying that he was with another woman. At this point in time, the lyrics "the thunder rolls" no longer refers to literal lightning and thunder surrounding the pair, but the anger in her heart has reached a boiling point, which is mentioned in the third verse.

Third verse

The original recorded version does not include the song's original third verse, most likely due to its graphic nature (the verse hints that the woman plans to kill him or herself due to his infidelity). However, Brooks performs the third verse when he sings the song in concert, so a version containing the third verse can be found on Brooks' album Double Live.

The verse goes as follows:

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

Writing and production

"The Thunder Rolls" was written by Garth Brooks and Pat Alger. The original idea was Brooks', as he wanted to explore the concept of "thunder rolling inside of a marriage and outside at the same time". Almost immediately after hearing this hook, Alger grabbed a guitar and started playing what Brooks described as a "D-minor rolling thing."

The song was originally pitched to Tanya Tucker. Although she liked the song, her producer suggested a third verse, which they added. On learning that the song had been given away, Allen Reynolds (Brooks' producer) was disappointed considering that the song had to be one of the most powerful ones [Garth] Brooks had ever written. When Tucker dropped the song from her album, Brooks began recording it for his second album No Fences. Reynolds suggested that they leave off the third verse, recording only the two original ones.

During the recording session, Brooks invited Alger to play. He had been impressed with Alger's work during their writing session and thought his passion would translate well in the recording. Both session musicians recorded the song live, with no overdubs and no second take. When they were finished, Brooks suggested that they would add the sound of thunder. Reynolds had that sound on hand from a previous recording session and Brooks decided when to bring in the thunder sounds.

Garth provided the following background information on the song in the CD booklet liner notes from The Hits

"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."

Music video

Although the recording featured only the first two verses, in concert Brooks often performed the third verse, to audience delight. When he began thinking about a video, Brooks chose to allude to the third verse by including the theme of domestic violence. This would tie together the two versions of the song. Brooks chose to play the central part of the philandering husband, so that he could "make sure [the character] was so despicable that the whole viewing audience wanted to shoot him."

Before the video's release, Cathy Gurley, the head of public relations at Capitol Nashville, arranged a screening for industry women. They unanimously endorsed the video, describing it as a powerful statement against domestic violence. The video was released to CMT and The Nashville Network (TNN), where CMT immediately named it a "Pick Hit." On May 1, the day after the video's release, TNN banned the video. CMT pulled it soon after, with a CMT representative commentating that the network was "in business to entertain, not to promote or condone gratuitous violence or social issues." TNN offered to resume airplay if Brooks would film a disclaimer for the end. Although Brooks and Gurley read the TNN script, he refused to film the additional scene, saying it felt as if he would be using the controversy to promote the video. Brooks told TNN they could add a disclaimer if they chose, but he was not going to compromise his vision.

Because the video had been pulled so quickly, few people had seen it. Radio stations, country bars, television stations and newspaper began requesting copies of the video so that they - and their audiences - could form their own opinions. Several radio stations in the United States screened the video at quickly organized fund-raisers for local battered women's shelters. Capitol Records was contacted numerous times by women's shelters, thanking the company for raising awareness of domestic violence. On May 7, VH-1, which generally aired pop videos, announced that they would begin playing "The Thunder Rolls."

The following month, Capitol Nashville president Jimmy Bowen sent copies of the video to members of the Country Music Association, so that they could consider it for the upcoming annual awards show. On Oct. 2, the video was awarded the CMA Video of the Year award.

At the 1991 Grammy Awards the music video, directed by Bud Schaetzle and produced by Martin J. Fischer, was nominated for "Best Music Video - Short Form".

Track listing

US 7" single" Capitol Nashville NR-44727, 1991

1. "The Thunder Rolls" (Edited) - 3:30
2. "Victim of the Game"

Jukebox 7" single Liberty S7-57744-A, 1992

1. "The Thunder Rolls" - 3:42
2. "Shameless"

Dutch promo CD single Liberty/EMI promo CX 519443, 1991

1. "The Thunder Rolls" - 3:43

Chart positions

"The Thunder Rolls" debuted at number 19 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of May 18, 1991.