Mixolydian rock: I–♭VII–IV–I
The chord that isn’t supposed to be there, ♭VII, gives classic rock its swagger.
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.
Sweet Home Alabama
Lynyrd Skynyrd · 1974Intro · ChorusAs recorded, in D majorD – C – GOpen chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Sympathy for the Devil
The Rolling Stones · 1968VerseAs recorded, in E majorE – D – AOpen chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Hey Jude
The Beatles · 1968OutroAs recorded, in F majorF – E♭ – B♭Easier: capo 1, play E major shapesShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Fortunate Son
Creedence Clearwater Revival · 1969VerseAs recorded, in G majorG – F – COpen chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Royals
Lorde · 2013Pre-chorus · ChorusAs recorded, in D majorD – C – GOpen chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Freedom! '90
George Michael · 1990IntroAs recorded, in C majorC – B♭ – F – B♭Easier: capo 3, play A 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
In a major key the seventh chord should be diminished; borrowing a major ♭VII from the Mixolydian mode makes the music sound big, open and a little rebellious. ♭VII–IV–I is a plagal walk home without the leading tone, so it lands softly instead of snapping shut, and it loops forever.
- D → CRock swaggerColour from outside
D and C share no notes, so the move sounds like a bold jump.
- C → GMixolydian swayIn the key
C and G share one note (G), which keeps the move connected.
- G → DSoft returnHome
The “amen” move. There’s no leading tone, so D arrives gently instead of snapping shut.
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.
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 Mixolydian rock
Quick answers about temperaments, instruments, accuracy, and what actually runs on your Mac.
What does Mixolydian mean?
It’s a major scale with a lowered seventh. In D, that’s C instead of C♯, which is why D–C–G works.What are the Sweet Home Alabama chords?
D–C–G (I–♭VII–IV), all open chords.Is it the same as V–IV–I in G?
Same chords, different home. If the song feels at home on D, it’s I–♭VII–IV in D Mixolydian; if it lands on G, it’s V–IV–I in G.
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