Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen

Key: F · 123 BPM · 4/4

Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen is written in F major. Its chords cycle through the I-IV-I-V progression — plagal + authentic mix, played as a V-I-IV-I rotation: C-F-Bb-F. At 123 BPM, it moves at a moderate, driving pace.

The progression

This song follows the I-IV-I-V progression (Plagal + authentic mix), played as a V-I-IV-I rotation in F major. Chords are automatically detected — if something looks off, let us know.

Learn more about the I-IV-I-V progression

Play it in other keys

CapoShape keyChords to play
Capo 1EB-E-A
Capo 3DA-D-G
Capo 5CG-C-F

Chord chart

  • 0:23 Bb
  • 0:25 Dm
  • 0:29 C
  • 0:32 F
  • 0:39 Bb
  • 0:41 F
  • 0:43 Am
  • 0:46 Bb
  • 0:49 F
  • 0:51 Bb
  • 0:55 F
  • 1:00 Bb
  • 1:07 F
  • 1:10 Bb
  • 1:14 C
  • 1:19 F
  • 1:21 Bb
  • 1:23 F
  • 1:28 Am
  • 1:30 Bb
  • 1:43 F
  • 1:45 C
  • 1:49 F
  • 1:51 Am
  • 1:51 Dm
  • 1:53 F
  • 1:55 Bb
  • 1:56 C
  • 1:57 F
  • 1:59 Am
  • 2:01 Bb
  • 2:03 C
  • 2:04 F
  • 2:06 Dm
  • 2:08 F
  • 2:10 Bb
  • 2:13 F
  • 2:15 Am
  • 2:16 Bb
  • 2:18 C
  • 2:20 F
  • 2:22 Bb
  • 2:24 F
  • 2:30 Am
  • 2:32 Bb
  • 2:37 C
  • 2:38 Bb
  • 2:39 F
  • 2:41 Bb
  • 2:45 F
  • 2:47 C
  • 2:51 F
  • 2:53 Dm
  • 2:55 F
  • 2:57 Bb
  • 2:59 F
  • 3:01 Am
  • 3:03 Bb
  • 3:05 C
  • 3:07 F
  • 3:09 Dm
  • 3:11 F
  • 3:12 Bb
  • 3:14 F
  • 3:16 Am
  • 3:18 Bb
  • 3:20 C
  • 3:22 F
  • 3:26 Bb
  • 3:29 C
  • 3:30 F
  • 3:35 Bb
  • 3:39 F
  • 3:40 C
  • 3:42 Bb
  • 3:44 C
  • 3:46 Am
  • 3:48 Dm
  • 3:50 Bb
  • 3:55 C
  • 3:56 Bb
  • 3:57 C
  • 4:01 F
  • 4:03 Bb
  • 4:07 F
  • 4:11 Am
  • 4:13 Bb
  • 4:19 C7
  • 4:21 F
  • 4:23 Bb
  • 4:25 Am7
  • 4:29 Bb
  • 4:33 Gm
  • 4:35 C
  • 4:37 Bb
  • 4:41 Gm
  • 4:45 Bb
  • 4:47 C
  • 4:48 Bb
  • 4:49 C
  • 4:49 F
  • 4:56 C
  • 4:58 F
  • 5:00 Bb
  • 5:02 F
  • 5:04 C
  • 5:06 Bb
  • 5:08 C
  • 5:10 F
  • 5:13 C
  • 5:14 F
  • 5:16 Bb
  • 5:18 F
  • 5:20 C
  • 5:22 Bb
  • 5:25 C
  • 5:28 F
  • 5:29 Bb
  • 5:30 F

Frequently asked questions

What key is Thunder Road in?

Thunder Road is in F major.

What chords does Thunder Road use?

The core of Thunder Road cycles through C, F, Bb (3 chords).

What is the tempo of Thunder Road?

Thunder Road runs at 123 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chord progression does Thunder Road use?

Thunder Road follows the I-IV-I-V progression, played as a V-I-IV-I rotation. It's a plagal + authentic mix.

What capo should I use for Thunder Road?

Capo 1 and play E major shapes — that gets you open chords instead of barring in F major.

Related songs

Other songs using the I-IV-I-V progression

Other songs in F major

More by Bruce Springsteen