"The Thunder Rolls" was originally recorded by former child star Tanya Tucker, but was never released until it appeared on her self-titled 1995 box set. Among those linked romantically with Tanya were Merle Haggard, Andy Gibb, Glen Campbell and actor Don Johnson.

When Tanya and her producer dropped the tune from an upcoming album, Garth Brooks' producer, Allen Reynolds, immediately took "The Thunder Rolls" (Garth Brooks - Pat Alger) and it was released in 1991 as the fourth and final single from his second album No Fences. The single was his sixth number one on the country chart and done in just one take.