Famous chord progressions

• Pop

  The pop axis

  I–V–vi–IV

  The most-used progression in modern pop: bright, hopeful, endlessly loopable.

  1. Cx32010
  2. G320003
  3. Amx02210
  4. F133211

  Heard in: Someone Like You, With or Without You, I'm Yours

  Songs & why it works →Open in the Chord Map
• Pop

  The sensitive female chord progression

  vi–IV–I–V

  The pop axis started on the minor chord: longing turning into hope.

  1. Em022000
  2. Cx32010
  3. G320003
  4. Dxx0232

  Heard in: Zombie, Numb, Otherside

  Songs & why it works →Open in the Chord Map
• Pop

  Pachelbel’s canon

  I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V

  A stepwise walk down the bass that sounds like a slow-motion memory.

  1. Dxx0232
  2. Ax02220
  3. Bmx24432
  4. F♯m244222
  5. G320003

  Heard in: Canon in D, Basket Case, Go West

  Songs & why it works →Open in the Chord Map
• Doo-wop and standards

  The ’50s progression

  I–vi–IV–V

  Doo-wop’s signature loop: warm, nostalgic, a little innocent.

  1. Ax02220
  2. F♯m244222
  3. Dxx0232
  4. E022100

  Heard in: Stand by Me, Every Breath You Take, Earth Angel

  Songs & why it works →Open in the Chord Map
• Rock and roll

  Three-chord rock and roll

  I–IV–V–IV

  I, IV and V: the backbone of rock and roll, blues and folk.

  1. Dxx0232
  2. G320003
  3. Ax02220

  Heard in: Twist and Shout, Wild Thing, Bad Moon Rising

  Songs & why it works →Open in the Chord Map
• Classic rock

  Mixolydian rock

  I–♭VII–IV–I

  The flat seven gives classic rock its swagger: big, open, a little rebellious.

  1. Dxx0232
  2. Cx32010
  3. G320003

  Heard in: Sweet Home Alabama, Sympathy for the Devil, Hey Jude

  Songs & why it works →Open in the Chord Map
• Blues

  12-bar blues

  I7–I7–I7–I7–IV7–IV7–I7–I7–V7–IV7–I7–V7

  Twelve bars of dominant sevenths: the form behind blues and early rock.

  1. A7x02020
  2. D7xx0212
  3. E7020100

  Heard in: Johnny B. Goode, Hound Dog, Rock Around the Clock

  Songs & why it works →Open in the Chord Map
• Jazz

  ii–V–I

  ii7–V7–Imaj7–Imaj7

  Jazz’s favourite cadence: tension building step by step, then home.

  1. Dm7xx0211
  2. G7320001
  3. Cmaj7x32000

  Heard in: Sunday Morning, Satin Doll, Fly Me to the Moon

  Songs & why it works →Open in the Chord Map
• Flamenco

  The Andalusian cadence

  i–VII–VI–V

  Four chords walking down to the dominant: flamenco fire and dark drama.

  1. Amx02210
  2. G320003
  3. F133211
  4. E022100

  Heard in: Hit the Road Jack, Sultans of Swing, Runaway

  Songs & why it works →Open in the Chord Map
• Minor and moody

  Aeolian vamp

  i–VII–VI–VII

  A dark, driving minor loop that never quite resolves.

  1. Em022000
  2. Dxx0232
  3. Cx32010

  Heard in: All Along the Watchtower, Stairway to Heaven, Rolling in the Deep

  Songs & why it works →Open in the Chord Map

More progressions to try

Also in the Chord Map’s library: open one and build from it.

• Dreamy vamp
  Imaj7–IVmaj7
  Cmaj7 – Fmaj7
  Open in the Chord Map →
• Circle of fifths
  vi–ii–V–I
  Am – Dm – G – C
  Open in the Chord Map →Songs & why it works
• The standard turnaround
  I–vi–ii–V
  C – Am – Dm – G
  Open in the Chord Map →Songs & why it works
• Epic minor
  i–VI–III–VII
  Am – F – C – G
  Open in the Chord Map →Songs & why it works
• Minor lament
  i–iv–i–v
  Am – Dm – Am – Em
  Open in the Chord Map →
• The “Creep” progression
  I–III–IV–iv
  G – B – C – Cm
  Open in the Chord Map →
• The epic cadence
  vi–IV–♭VI–♭VII–I
  Am – F – A♭ – B♭ – C
  Open in the Chord Map →
• The royal road
  IV–V–iii–vi
  F – G – Em – Am
  Open in the Chord Map →
• Nostalgic ending
  I–IV–iv–I
  G – C – Cm – G
  Open in the Chord Map →
• Folk sway
  I–V–IV–V
  G – D – C – D
  Open in the Chord Map →