The 1958 movie "Thunder Road" opens with Randy (Lloyd) Sparks singing "The Ballad Of Thunder Road" (Don Raye - Robert Mitchum). Randy was asked to play Robert Mitchum's brother in the film and write the music but that obviously didn't occur. Co-writer and vaudevillian Don Raye (Wilhoite) wrote "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", "You Don't Know What Love Is" and "Beat Me Daddy, Eight To The Bar".

Although it did not appear in the film, Robert Mitchum's version of "Thunder Road" charted in 1958 and again in 1962. This wasn't a big hit but it's still remembered by many and was on Billboard for a total of twenty-one weeks. Mr. Mitchum produce the film, co-wrote the script and starred in the motion picture so why not have him sing the song?