I–V–vi–IV chord progression: the pop progression
I–V–vi–IV is the most common pop chord progression: C G Am F in C. Hear it, get its chords in all 12 keys, and learn the songs built on it.
I–V–vi–IV is the chord progression that uses the 1st, 5th, 6th and 4th chords of a major key: in C major, C – G – Am – F. Three major chords and one minor, it loops endlessly and sits under thousands of pop songs, from Let It Be to Don't Stop Believin'.
Listen in C major
Or one chord at a time:
What does I–V–vi–IV sound like?
Uplifting with a touch of wistfulness: the minor vi chord gives a brief shadow before the IV opens back up.
Songs that use I–V–vi–IV
| Song | Where |
|---|---|
| Let It Be (The Beatles) | verse, in C: C G Am F |
| No Woman, No Cry (Bob Marley & The Wailers) | main loop, in C: C G Am F |
| With or Without You (U2) | whole song, in D: D A Bm G |
| Don't Stop Believin' (Journey) | first four chords of the opening piano riff, in E: E B C#m A |
Titles only. Listed only when the chords of that section are certain; chords as usually written for that section.
How to recognise it by ear
- Listen for the single minor chord in third position: that is the vi.
- Rotate it and you get other famous loops: vi–IV–I–V starts on the minor chord.
- The bass usually walks 1 → 5 → 6 → 4: a leap down, a step up, a leap down.
Quick test: which progression?
Each sound plays the chords one after another. Pick the progression.
Score: / 3 (your score updates as you answer)
I–V–vi–IV in all 12 major keys
Chords built from the Roman numerals I V vi IV on each key's own scale.
| Key | Chords | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| C major | C – G – Am – F | |
| G major | G – D – Em – C | |
| D major | D – A – Bm – G | |
| A major | A – E – F♯m – D | |
| E major | E – B – C♯m – A | |
| B major | B – F♯ – G♯m – E | |
| F♯ major | F♯ – C♯ – D♯m – B | |
| D♭ major | D♭ – A♭ – B♭m – G♭ | |
| A♭ major | A♭ – E♭ – Fm – D♭ | |
| E♭ major | E♭ – B♭ – Cm – A♭ | |
| B♭ major | B♭ – F – Gm – E♭ | |
| F major | F – C – Dm – B♭ |
Frequently asked questions
What are the chords of I–V–vi–IV in C?
C major, G major, A minor, F major. In G it is G D Em C; in D it is D A Bm G.
Why is I–V–vi–IV so common?
It uses the three main major chords of the key plus its relative minor, loops smoothly back to I, and fits a huge range of melodies.
Is I–V–vi–IV the same as vi–IV–I–V?
Same four chords, different starting point. Starting on vi makes the loop feel minor and more dramatic.
What is the 'axis of awesome' progression?
A nickname for I–V–vi–IV, after a comedy medley showing dozens of hits built on it.