The I–V–vi–IV progression is a common chord progression popular across several genres of music. It uses the I, V, vi, and IV chords of a musical scale. For example, in the key of C major, this progression would be C–G–Am–F.[1] Rotations include:
- I–V–vi–IV : C–G–Am–F
- V–vi–IV–I : G–Am–F–C
- vi–IV–I–V : Am–F–C–G
- IV–I–V–vi : F–C–G–Am
The '50s progression uses the same chords but in a different order (I–vi–IV–V), no matter the starting point.
Variations
A common ordering of the progression begins "vi–IV–I–V". In C major this would be Am–F–C–G, modulating the key to A minor.
Boston Globe writer Marc Hirsh first noticed the chord progression in the song "One of Us" by Joan Osborne,[2] and then other songs. However, examples of the progression appeared in pop hits as early as the 1950s, such as in the Teddy Bears' "To Know Him Is to Love Him", written by Phil Spector.[3]
Dan Bennett claims the progression is also called the "pop-punk progression" because of its frequent use in pop punk.[1]
In this ordering, the progression ends with a double plagal cadence in the key of the dominant (in the Mixolydian mode) and could also be respelled ii–bVII–IV–I, opening with a backdoor turnaround.
The chord progression is also used in the form IV–I–V–vi, as in songs such as "Umbrella" by Rihanna[4] and "Down" by Jay Sean.[5] Numerous bro-country songs followed the chord progression, as demonstrated by Greg Todd's mash-up of several bro-country songs in an early 2015 video.[6]
A 2008 medley by the comedy group the Axis of Awesome, called "Four Chords", demonstrated the ubiquity of the progression in popular music, for comic effect; for instance, as the progression is played as a ostinato, sometimes it is used as a vi–IV–I–V (i. e. the "pessimistic" inversion). It does not accurately represent the chord progressions of all the songs it depicts. It was originally written in D major (thus the progression being D major, A major, B minor, G major) and performed live in the key of E major (thus using the chords E major, B major, C# minor, and A major). The song was subsequently published on YouTube.[7] As of May 2020, the two most popular versions have been viewed over 100 million times combined.[8][9]
The British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree made a song called "Four Chords That Made A Million" that appears to be a satire of the broad use of this progression in contemporary commercial music.
I–V–♭VII–IV
I–V–♭VII–IV may be viewed as a variation of I–V–vi–IV, replacing the submediant with the subtonic. It consists of two IV chord progressions, the second a whole step lower (A–E–G–D = I–V in A and I–V in G), giving it a sort of harmonic drive. There are few keys in which one may play the progression with open chords on the guitar, so it is often portrayed with barre chords ("Lay Lady Lay"). The use of the flattened seventh may lend this progression a bluesy feel or sound, and the whole tone descent may be reminiscent of the ninth and tenth chords of the twelve bar blues (V–IV). The progression also makes possible a chromatic descent across a minor third: –♯–♮–.
"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Carole King makes prominent use of this progression in its verses. "Lay Lady Lay"[10] uses the similar progression I–iii–♭VII–ii; the second and fourth chords are replaced by the relative minor while preserving the same –♯–♮– descent. This progression is used in other songs including "Turning Japanese" (1980) by the Vapors, "Sample in a Jar" (1994) by Phish (I–iii–♭VII–IV), "Waterfalls" (1995) by TLC,[11] and "Don't Tell Me" (2000) by Madonna. "Cinnamon Girl" (1969) by Neil Young uses I–v–♭VII–IV (all in Mixolydian).[12] It opens the verse to "Brown Eyes" by Lady Gaga, is used in the chorus to "Rio" (1982) by Duran Duran and "Sugar Hiccup" (1983) by the Cocteau Twins, and is in the 2nd part of the bridge in "Sweet Jane" (1988) by the Cowboy Junkies.[13] John Maus uses a i-v-VII-iv in c minor for the verse of “Cop Killer”. The progression is also used entirely with minor chords[i-v-vii-iv (g#, d#, f#, c#)] in the middle section of Chopin's etude op. 10 no. 12. However, using the same chord type (major or minor) on all four chords causes it to feel more like a sequence of descending fourths than a bona fide chord progression. I–IV–♭VII–IV is a similar chord progression which is arch formed (I–IV–♭VII–IV–I), and has been used in the chorus to "And She Was" (1985) by Talking Heads,[14] in "Let's Go Crazy" (1984) by Prince,[15] in "Like a Rock" (1986) by Bob Seger,[16] in "Steady, As She Goes" (2006) by the Raconteurs (minor tonic: i–V–♭VII–IV).[17]
Songs using the progression
This is a list of recorded songs containing multiple, repeated uses of the I–V–vi–IV progression.
See also
- Roman numeral analysis
- "The Complexity of Songs"
- '50s progression
- IV△7–V7–iii7–vi progression – the equivalent chord progression in contemporary Japanese music
References
- 1 2 Bennett, Dan (2008). The Total Rock Bassist, p. 63. ISBN 978-0739052693
- 1 2 Rundown 3/4: "Sensitive Female Chord Progression", Here and Now, March 4, 2009, wbur.org.
- 1 2 "TO KNOW HIM IS TO LOVE HIM Chords – The Teddy Bears | E-Chords". e-chords.com. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
- ↑ "Unsupported Browser or Operating System". Musicnotes.com. 15 June 2007. Retrieved 2013-10-20.(subscription required) Gbmaj7, Db(add2)/Ab, Fm7, Bbm9.
- ↑ "Down", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ Brian Mansfield. "Six songs, same tune? Mashup shows country music's similarities". USA Today.
- ↑ Lynskey, Dorian (2010-12-17). "Don't Stop Believin': the power ballad that refused to die". The Guardian. p. 3 (Film & music). Retrieved 2011-02-19.
- ↑ "4 Four Chord Song". YouTube. 2009-12-10. Retrieved 2017-12-27.
- ↑ "4 Chords". YouTube. 2011-07-20. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2017-12-27.
- ↑ Toft, Robert (2010). Hits and Misses, p.58. Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781441116857
- ↑ Hurwitz, Tobias; ed. (2006). The Total Rock Guitarist, p.39. Alfred Music. ISBN 9780739038505
- ↑ Serna, Desi (2013). Fretboard Theory Volume II, p.20. Desi Serna. ISBN 9780615818979
- ↑ Lloyd, Peter (2014). The Secret Life of Chords, p.97. Australian eBook. ISBN 9781925029765.
- ↑ Everett, Walter (2008). Expression in Pop-Rock Music, p.115. Routledge. ISBN 9780415979597.
- ↑ Till, Rupert (2010). Pop Cult: Religion and Popular Music, p.61. A&C Black. ISBN 9780826432360.
- ↑ Rodman, Ronald Wayne (2010). Tuning in: American Narrative Television Music, p.218. Oxford. ISBN 9780195340242.
- ↑ Rooksby, Rikky (2007). Arranging Songs: How to Put the Parts Together, p.163. Hal Leonard. ISBN 9780879308964.
- ↑ "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)", www.worshiptogether.com
- ↑ "20 Good Reasons", Ultimate-Guitar.com
- ↑ "Africa Chords by Toto", ultimate-guitar.com
- ↑ "AISHA CHORDS by cheb khaled @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com". Archived from the original on 2016-08-22. Retrieved 2016-07-19.
- ↑ "Ai Se Eu Te Pego Chords by Michel Teló". Tabs.Ultimate-Guitar.com.
- ↑ "All You Wanted by Michelle Branch – Digital Sheet Music". MusicNotes.com. 26 March 2002.
- ↑ "Bowling For Soup – Almost (Chords)". Retrieved 2018-08-15.
- ↑ Alan Walker - Alone (Chords), retrieved 2023-01-29
- ↑ "Nightwish – Amaranth (Chords)" – via tabs.ultimate-guitar.com.
- ↑ "20 A New Day Has Come", DrSheetMusic.com
- ↑ "Apologize Chords by OneRepublic", Ultimate-Guitar.com.
- ↑ Blackpink – As If Its Your Last 마지막처럼 (Chords), retrieved 2022-03-14
- ↑ "Audience Of One Chords by Rise Against", Ultimate-Guitar.com.
- ↑ Awesome God Chords by Hillsong United, retrieved 2023-09-02
- ↑ "Bad Blood", ultimate-guitar.com.
- ↑ "Bailando Chords by Enrique Iglesias". Tabs.Ultimate-Guitar.com. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
- 1 2 3 Bennett, Dan (2008). The Total Rock Bassist, p.63. Alfred. ISBN 0-7390-5269-1.
- ↑ "6Ix9Ine - Bebe (Chords)".
- ↑ "Gavin DeGraw – I Don't Want To Be". e-chords.com.
- ↑ The Script - Breakeven (Chords), retrieved 2023-01-29
- ↑ "Bullet", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ Burn Chords by Ellie Goulding, Ultimate-Guitar.com
- ↑ Rihanna (2012-09-26). "Rihanna "California King Bed" Sheet Music – Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ "Caramell – Caramelldansen (Chords)" – via tabs.ultimate-guitar.com.
- ↑ "Check Yes Juliet Chords by We the Kings". Tabs.Ultimate-Guitar.com. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ↑ Taylor, Swift; Imogen, Heap; Taylor, Swift (2014-12-29). "Clean". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2019-04-17.
- ↑ "Come Over", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ Florida Georgia Line (2012-12-04). "Florida Georgia Line "Cruise" Sheet Music – Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ "Cryin'", MusicNotes.com (subscription required)
- ↑ Daddy Dj – Daddy Dj (Chords), retrieved 2020-06-07
- ↑ "Dammit", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Despacito", Ultimate-Guitar.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Don't Trust Me", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Don't You Wanna Stay", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Dragostea Din Tei", Ultimate-Guitar.com
- ↑ "Dream Catch Me", Ultimate-Guitar.com
- ↑ "Drive By", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - Face Down, Chordify.
- ↑ "Faded", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Feeling This", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ Samuel, Smith (22 June 2015). "Jessie J "Flashlight" Sheet Music (Leadsheet) in F Major – Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
- ↑ "For the First Time", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ Forever Young, ultimate-guitar.com
- ↑ Pink (3 February 2011). "Pink "F**kin' Perfect" Sheet Music – Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ "Fuckin Perfect Chords by P!nk". Tabs.Ultimate-Guitar.com. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
- ↑ "Ghost Chords by Justin Bieber". Ultimate-Guitar.com.
- ↑ "Girls Chase Boys Chords by Ingrid Michaelson", ultimate-guitar.com.
- ↑ "Give Me Everything", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Glad You Exist Chords by Dan + Shay", ultimate-guitar.com.
- ↑ "Glycerine", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Hair", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Hall of Fame", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "My Happy Ending Chords by Avril Lavigne", ultimate-guitar.com.
- ↑ "Happy Ending", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Heart Attack", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Hello", UltimateGuitar.com.
- ↑ "Hey Brother", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Imogen Heap "Hide and Seek"". Music Notes (subscription required). 23 June 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ↑ "Home", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ ""(G)I-DLE – HWAA". 21 April 2022 – via kpopchords.com.
- ↑ "If I Were a Boy", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "I Just Had Sex", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "EXID – I Love You (Chords + Romanized Lyrics)". kpopchords.com. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
- ↑ "Bruce Springsteen – Im Goin Down (Chords)" – via tabs.ultimate-guitar.com.
- ↑ Ajr - Im Not Famous (Chords), retrieved 2023-01-29
- ↑ "Im Yours". tabs.ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved 2016-06-25.
- ↑ "In My Head", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required).
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- ↑ "In This River", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required).
- ↑ "I Was Here", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Key and BPM for Jantung Hatiku". Tunebat. March 17, 2023. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ↑ "Just a Dream", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ Onerepublic - Kids (Chords), retrieved 2023-02-23
- ↑ "Lemonade", Ultimate-Guitar.com
- ↑ "The Beatles Let It Be Sheet Music". musicnotes.com. July 2013.
- ↑ "Little Talks", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Love Chords by Lana Del Rey". Tabs.Ultimate-Guitar.com.
- ↑ "Love Me", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Love the Way You Lie", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "Marilyn Monroe", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
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- ↑ "Nobody's Perfect", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
- ↑ "No One", MusicNotes.com. (subscription required)
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- ↑ "Read All About It Pt III Chords by Emeli Sandé". Tabs.Ultimate-Guitar.com. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
- ↑ "Real World Chords by Matchbox Twenty". Tabs.Ultimate-Guitar.com. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
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- ↑ "ZAC EFRON Feat ZENDAYA – Rewrite The Stars Chords And Tabs For Guitar And Piano". ChordZone.org. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
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- ↑ "The Days Chords by Avicii". Tabs.Ultimate-Guitar.com. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
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