Johnny works in a factory and Billy works downtown. Terry works in a rock 'n' roll band looking for that million-dollar sound. Me I got a little job down in Darlington but some nights I don't go. Some nights I go to the drive-in and some night I stay home. You see I followed that dream just like those guys do way up on the screen. With a built-up Challenger down route 9. Through the dead ends and all the bad scenes. And when the promise was broken I cashed in a few of my old dreams. You see I built that Challenger by myself. But I needed money and so I sold it. And I lived a secret I should have kept to myself. But I got drunk one night and I told it. All my life I fought that fight. The one that I can't ever win. And everyday it just gets harder to live. The dreams I'm believing in. Thunder Road. Oh baby you were so right. Thunder Road. There's something dying on the Highway tonight. Well now my Daddy taught me how to walk quiet. And how to make my peace with the past. And I learned real good to tighten up inside. And I don't say nothin' unless I'm asked. When the promise is broken you go on livin'. But it takes something from down in your soul. Like when the truth is spoken. And it don't make no difference. Something in your heart turns cold. You see I followed that dream me and some guys. Through the dead ends and all the two-bit bars. When the promise was broken. I was drunk and far away from home. Sleeping with a stranger in the back seat of a borrowed car. Thunder Road. And when it washes away with the rain. Thunder Road. You learn to walk among the remains. Thunder Road. I remember when me and Terry we'd always say. Thunder Road. We were gonna take it all. And throw it all. Away.