The ’50s progression: I–vi–IV–V
Doo-wop’s loop: Stand by Me, Earth Angel, Every Breath You Take. Warm, nostalgic and still everywhere.
Loads it as a song you can change, extend and write lyrics to. Your own song is kept.
Songs you know
Where you’ve heard it
Real recordings that use it, with the chords as they’re played on the record and the easiest way to play along.
Stand by Me
Ben E. King · 1961Verse · ChorusAs recorded, in A majorA – F♯m – D – EOpen chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Every Breath You Take
The Police · 1983Intro · VerseAs recorded, in A♭ majorA♭ – Fm – D♭ – E♭Easier: capo 1, play G major shapesShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Earth Angel
The Penguins · 1954ChorusAs recorded, in A♭ majorA♭ – Fm – D♭ – E♭Easier: capo 1, play G major shapesShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →All I Have to Do Is Dream
The Everly Brothers · 1958ChorusAs recorded, in E majorE – C♯m – A – BEasier: capo 4, play C major shapesShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Unchained Melody
The Righteous Brothers · 1965VerseAs recorded, in D♭ majorD♭ – B♭m – G♭ – A♭Easier: capo 6, play G major shapesShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Baby
Justin Bieber · 2010ChorusAs recorded, in E♭ majorE♭ – Cm – A♭ – B♭Easier: capo 3, play C major shapesShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Bleeding Love
Leona Lewis · 2007Verse · ChorusAs recorded, in F majorF – Dm7 – B♭maj7 – CEasier: capo 5, play C major shapesShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →
Why it works
Why it feels like this
From home (I) it drops to the relative minor (vi), then opens up on the IV and builds tension on the V, which falls back home. It’s a small circle of fifths (vi–IV–V–I moves by strong root steps), which is why it pulls so naturally. Swap the IV for a ii and you have the jazz-standard version, I–vi–ii–V.
- A → F♯mDarkeningIn the key
Two notes stay and one moves up a step: major slides softly into its relative minor.
- F♯m → DHopeful riseIn the key
The bass falls a third and two notes stay put. Minor opens up into warmth.
- D → EBuild tensionIn the key
Two neighbours a step apart. Pure forward motion: the tension rises and home feels close.
- E → ABright resolutionHome
E contains the key’s leading tone, which wants to rise a half step to A. It’s the strongest pull in music: a full stop.
Make it yours
Same idea, your song
The fastest way not to sound like everyone else: change one thing. Each idea opens in the Chord Map, ready to play.
Swap IV for ii
The jazz-standard version: smoother, more sophisticated.
Try it →A – F♯m – Bm – EI–vi–ii–VAdd sevenths
Softer and jazzier: every chord gets one more note.
Try it →Amaj7 – F♯m7 – Dmaj7 – E7Imaj7–vi7–IVmaj7–V7Borrow the minor iv
Make the IV minor. A bittersweet, cinematic sigh before you go home.
Try it →A – F♯m – D – DmI–vi–IV–ivMake it the chorus
A verse that stays closer to home, then this as the lift. Two sections, ready to write on.
Try it →A – D – A – EI–IV–I–VA – F♯m – D – EI–vi–IV–V
On the guitar
In five guitar keys
The keys a guitar likes best. Pick the one that suits your voice, or put on a capo.
In C major
Open in the Chord Map →In G major
Open in the Chord Map →In D major
Open in the Chord Map →In A major
Open in the Chord Map →In E major
Open in the Chord Map →
Questions
Questions about The ’50s progression
Quick answers about temperaments, instruments, accuracy, and what actually runs on your Mac.
What is the ’50s progression?
I–vi–IV–V, for example C–Am–F–G. It was everywhere in 1950s doo-wop and has never left pop since.What are the Stand by Me chords?
A–F♯m–D–E (I–vi–IV–V in A), in the verse and chorus. Open chords, except the F♯m barre.What’s the difference between I–vi–IV–V and I–V–vi–IV?
Same chords, different order. I–vi–IV–V ends on the V, so it pulls home harder and sounds more classic; I–V–vi–IV sounds more modern and open.
Keep exploring