vi–IV–I–V chord progression: the emotional pop loop
vi–IV–I–V (Am F C G in C) is the pop progression started on its minor chord. Hear it, get it in all 12 keys, and see how it differs from I–V–vi–IV.
vi–IV–I–V is the four-chord pop loop started on the minor vi chord: in C major, Am – F – C – G. Starting on the minor chord gives a darker, more emotional colour than I–V–vi–IV, although the chords are the same.
Listen in C major
Or one chord at a time:
What does vi–IV–I–V sound like?
Brooding and anthemic: it opens in minor and climbs toward the brighter I and V.
Songs that use vi–IV–I–V
Many hits loop these four chords, but most of them feel at rest on the minor chord, which makes them i–VI–III–VII in the minor key rather than vi–IV–I–V. Because the label depends on where the music feels at home, we list no titles here.
How to recognise it by ear
- If a four-chord loop starts in minor and lifts toward major, try vi–IV–I–V.
- Seen from the minor chord, the same loop is i–VI–III–VII in the relative minor key.
- The first two chords share two notes (A C E and F A C), so the move is smooth.
Quick test: which progression?
Each sound plays the chords one after another. Pick the progression.
Score: / 3 (your score updates as you answer)
vi–IV–I–V in all 12 major keys
Chords built from the Roman numerals vi IV I V on each key's own scale.
| Key | Chords | Hear it |
|---|---|---|
| C major | Am – F – C – G | |
| G major | Em – C – G – D | |
| D major | Bm – G – D – A | |
| A major | F♯m – D – A – E | |
| E major | C♯m – A – E – B | |
| B major | G♯m – E – B – F♯ | |
| F♯ major | D♯m – B – F♯ – C♯ | |
| D♭ major | B♭m – G♭ – D♭ – A♭ | |
| A♭ major | Fm – D♭ – A♭ – E♭ | |
| E♭ major | Cm – A♭ – E♭ – B♭ | |
| B♭ major | Gm – E♭ – B♭ – F | |
| F major | Dm – B♭ – F – C |
Frequently asked questions
What are the chords of vi–IV–I–V in C?
A minor, F, C, G. In G: Em C G D. In D: Bm G D A.
Is vi–IV–I–V major or minor?
Both readings exist. With C as home it is vi–IV–I–V in C major; if the music feels at rest on A minor, the same chords are i–VI–III–VII in A minor.
How is it different from I–V–vi–IV?
Same chords, started on the vi. The order changes where the music feels at rest, so the mood shifts toward minor.
Why does vi–IV–I–V sound sad?
It begins and loops back to a minor chord, so the minor colour frames the whole progression.