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Robert Mitchum - The Ballad Of Thunder Road Ukulele Chords

ChordsC, G7, F
Strumming↓-↓↑-↓↑-↓↑

Before you play, tune your ukulele and use the tools below to set up your view and flow.

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.
AlbumSingle
GenresPop
Year1958
KeyC
DifficultyEasy

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

Robert Mitchum - The Ballad Of Thunder Road on ukulele 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

Switching from C to G7:

  1. Slide your ring finger on A string from fret 3 to fret 2.
  2. Place index finger on E string fret 1.
  3. Place middle finger on C string fret 2.

This transition appears in the section, played 21 times.

C to G7

2. C → F chord transition

Here's how to move from C to F:

  1. While playing C, lift your ring finger from A string fret 3.
  2. Place index finger on E string fret 1.
  3. Place middle finger on G string fret 2.

This transition appears in the chorus, played 8 times.

C to F

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 Ukulelearn.
  • The Ballad Of Thunder Road contains 1 of the top 10 transitions across Ukulelearn.
  • These transition patterns show how The Ballad Of Thunder Road connects to the rest of Ukulelearn. Mastering them helps you move to similar songs faster.
    After C, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are G (35%), F (16%), and D (11%).
    • C → F: 16%
    • C → G7: 2%
    After G7, the most likely next chords across Ukulelearn are C (69%), C7 (5%), and F (5%).
    • G7 → C: 69%