Thunder Road

by Bruce Springsteen

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Lyrics

The (F)screen door slams,

(C7)Mar (Bb)y’s dress waves;

like a (F)vi sion (C7)she danc es (F)a (C)cross the porch as the (Bb)ra di o plays.

Roy (Bb)Or bi son’s sing ing for the (C)lone ly.

Hey, that’s (F)me, and I (C)want (F)you on ly.

Don’t turn me home a (Fsus)gain, (Bb)I (F)just can’t (C)face (Dm)my self a (Bb)lone a (C)gain.

Don’t (F)run back in (C7)side, (F)dar ling, (Bb)you know (C7)just what I’m here for.

So you’re (F)scared and you’re think ing that (C)may be we ain’t that (Bb)young

an y more.

Show a lit tle (Bb)faith there’s mag ic in the (C7)night.

You (C7)ain’t a (F)beau ty, but hey, you’re al (Bb)right.

Oh, and (F)that’s al right with (C7)me.

You can (F)hide ’neath your cov ers and (Dm)stud y your pain,

make (F)cross es from your lov ers, throw (Bb)ros es in the rain,

waste your sum mer, (Am)pray ing in vain for a (Bb)sav ior to rise from these (Gm7)streets.

Well now, (F)I’m no he ro, that’s un der (Dm)stood.

All the re (F)demp tion I can of fer, girl, is (Bb)be neath this dirt y (C7)hood,

with a chance to make it (Dm)good some how.

Hey, (Bb)what else can we do (C7)now,

ex cept (F)roll down the win dow and (Bb)let the wind blow (F)back your hair.

Well, the night’s bust ing o pen, these (Am)two lanes will take us (Bb)an

y

where.

We got one last chance to make it (C7)real.

To (F)trade in these wings on some (Bb)wheels.

Climb in back, heav

en’s wait ing down on the tracks.

(F)Oh,

come (Dm)take my hand,

(F)rid ing out to night to (Bb)case the prom ised land.

(F)Oh,

Thun der Road,

(Bb)oh, Thun der Road,

(C7)oh, Thun der Road,

ly ing out there like a (Dm)kill er in the sun.

(F)Hey, I know it’s late, we can (Bb)make it if we run.

(F)Oh,

Thun der Road, sit (Bb)tight,

take (C7)hold,

Thun der (F)Road.

(Gm7)Well, (F)I (Bb)got this gui tar, and I (C7)learned how to make it talk.

And my (Dm)car’s out back, if you’re read y to take that (Bbmaj7)long

(C)walk

from your (Bb)front porch to my front (C)seat.

The door’s (Am)o pen but the ride ain’t (Dm)free,

and (Bb)I know you’re lone ly for words that (Gm7)I ain’t spo ken, but to (C7)night we’ll be free.

All the prom is es ’ll be bro ken.

There were (F)ghosts in the eyes of all the boys you (F)sent a way.

They haunt this dust y beach road in the (Am)skel e ton frames of (Bb)burned out Chev ro lets.

They scream your name at night in the street,

your grad u a tion (F)gown lies in rags at their feet.

And in the (Am)lone ly cool be fore dawn,

you hear their (Bb)en gines roar ing on.

But when you (Gm)get to the (E)porch, (Dm)they’re (Gm)gone

on the (Bb)wind.

So, Mar y climb (Gm)in.

It’s a (Bb)town full of los ers,

I’m (C7)pull ing out of here to win.

Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of Bb at 90 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

Tips for parents & teachers

  • Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
  • Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
  • Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
  • Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Thunder Road" good for a child learning piano?
Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "Thunder Road"?
Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?
No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?
Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
What other Bruce Springsteen songs work for kids?
Try "LAND OF HOPE AND DREAMS", "GLORY DAYS", "GLORY DAYS". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.