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14,015 TRANSITIONS ANALYZED#1 at 23%: Which Transition?The 100 most repeated chord transitions extracted from thousands of songs. Even the first 10 will transform your guitar practice routine.

Robert Mitchum - The Ballad Of Thunder Road Chords

DATA-DRIVENWhich Chord Comes Next?Learn the most likely chord transitions on guitar and start playing songs with confidence.
ChordsC, G7, F
Strumming↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your guitar and use the tools below to set up your view and flow. Using the Transpose tool, switch to D,A,E keys to play this song with easier chords.

CLetmetellthestory,Icantellitall
G7Aboutthemountainboywhoranillegal Calcohol
CHisdaddymadethewhiskey,son,hedrovetheload
G7Whenhisengineroared,theycalledthehighwaythunderCroad.
CSometimesintoAshville,sometimesMemphistown
TheG7revenuerschasedhimbuttheycouldn’trunhimCdown
EachCtimetheythoughttheyhadhim,hisenginewouldexplode
He’dG7gobyliketheywerestandingstillonthunderCroad.
AndtherewasFthunder,thunderCoverthunderroad
G7Thunderwashisengine,andwhiteClightningwashisload
TherewasFmoonshine,moonshinetoCquenchthedevil’sthirst
TheG7lawtheysworethey’dgethim,butthedevilgothimCfirst.
COnthefirstofApril,nineteenfifty-four
AG7federalmansentwordhe’dbettermakehisrunnoCmore
HeCsaidtwohundredagentswerecoveringthestate
G7Whicheverroadhetriedtotake,they’dgethimsureasCfate.
CSon,hisdaddytoldhim,makethisrunyourlast
YourG7tankisfilledwith100-proof,you’realltunedupandCgassed
Now,Cdon’ttakeanychances,ifyoucan’tgetthrough
I’dG7ratherhaveyoubackagainthanallthatmountainCdew.
AndtherewasFthunder,thunderCoverthunderroad
G7Thunderwashisengine,andwhiteClightningwashisload
TherewasFmoonshine,moonshinetoCquenchthedevil’sthirst
TheG7lawtheysworethey’dgethim,butthedevilgothimCfirst.
CRoaringoutofHarlan,revvin’uphismill
HeG7shotthegapatCumberland,andCscreamedbyMaynardville
WithCG-menonhistaillights,roadblocksupahead
TheG7mountainboytookroadsthatevenangelsfearedtoCtread.
CBlazin’rightthroughKnoxville,outonKingstonPike
ThenG7rightoutsideofBearden,theymadethefatalCstrike
HeClefttheroadatninety,that’sallthereistosay
TheG7devilgotthemoonshineandthemountainboythatCday.
AndtherewasFthunder,thunderCoverthunderroad
G7Thunderwashisengine,andwhiteClightningwashisload
TherewasFmoonshine,moonshinetoCquenchthedevil’sthirst
TheG7lawtheysworethey’dgethim,butthedevilgothimCfirst.
AndtherewasFthunder,thunderCoverthunderroad
G7Thunderwashisengine,andwhiteClightningwashisload
TherewasFmoonshine,moonshinetoCquenchthedevil’sthirst
TheG7lawtheysworethey’dgethim,butthedevilgothimCfirst.
TheG7lawtheysworethey’dgethim,butthedevilgothimCfirst.
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookDiscover the most-used three-chord combinations in songs and build real command on guitar.
14,015 TRANSITIONS ANALYZED#1 at 23%: Which Transition?Master guitar today with the most repeated high-impact chord transitions.
ArtistRobert Mitchum
AlbumSingle
GenresPop
Year1958
KeyC
DifficultyAdvanced

How to play The Ballad Of Thunder Road on Guitar (Step-by-step)

Robert Mitchum - The Ballad Of Thunder Road on guitar requires 3 chords and 2 core chord transitions. You can find the full step-by-step guide below. Before you start, tune your instrument. The song uses the ↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑ pattern; practice it muted first, or simplify to downstrokes while you learn the changes.

The Ballad Of Thunder Road uses these transitions most often: C → G7 (21), G7 → C (21), and C → F (8). These transitions may feel a little challenging at first, but with steady practice you can play this song quickly.When you are ready, begin with C - G7 chord transition.

1. C → G7 chord transition

Guitar C chord diagram Fingering: x-3-2-0-1-0Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar G7 chord diagram Fingering: 3-2-0-0-0-1Guitar G7 chord diagram

Here's how to move from C to G7:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
  3. Lift your ring finger from A string fret 3 and place it on E string fret 1.

This transition appears in the verse, played 21 times.

C to G7

2. C → F chord transition

Guitar C chord diagram Fingering: x-3-2-0-1-0Guitar C chord diagram
Guitar F chord diagram Fingering: 1-3-3-2-1-1 Barre at fret 1.Guitar F chord diagram

Here's how to move from C to F:

  1. Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
  2. Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
  3. Keep ring finger on A string fret 3.
  4. Place pinky on D string fret 3.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 8 times.

C to F

The Ballad Of Thunder Road chord transition analysis

A short, data-driven summary of the chord flow in The Ballad Of Thunder Road.

  • The Ballad Of Thunder Road includes 58 chord transitions, 2 of them unique.
  • These transitions represent 0.02% of all chord transitions in Chordier.
  • The Ballad Of Thunder Road contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Chordier.
  • These transition patterns show how The Ballad Of Thunder Road connects to the rest of Chordier. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After C, the most likely next chords across Chordier are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → F: 16%
    • C → G7: 2%
    After G7, the most likely next chords across Chordier are C (69%), C7 (5%), and F (5%).
    • G7 → C: 69%
SONG DATA3 Chords, 200 Chains, 1 BookThe 200 most popular three-chord chains from real songs. See which songs use each chain and expand your repertoire with patterns that actually matter.