Garth Brooks Hit “The Thunder Rolls” Was Originally Recorded by Another Artist

Garth Brooks hit The Thunder Rolls was not only one of the country stars biggest and controversial hits of his career but the song that took him to number one on Billboards Hot Country Charts back in 1991 was originally recorded by another country artist.

Brooks who wrote the song with Pat Alger released it as the fourth (and final) single from his No Fences album.  The video that accompanied the song was regarded controversial as it features an abusive husband being killed by his long-suffering wife.  The video was banned from most video outlets in the USA but ironically, it ended up winning CMA Video of the Year in 1991.

Rewind to January 1989 – this was the very first time that the song had been released by no other than the incredible Tanya Tucker.

Tuckers version of the song contained a third verse that Brooks didn’t record.

Unrecorded third verse goes like this:

"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.”

Brooks still performs the third verse at his concerts giving fans the full version of the song he co-penned that would go on to help make him the biggest name in country music.