The sensitive female chord progression: vi–IV–I–V
The pop axis started on its minor chord. Same four chords, and suddenly it’s longing, defiance, an anthem.
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.
Zombie
The Cranberries · 1994Whole songAs recorded, in G majorEm – C – G – DOpen chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Numb
Linkin Park · 2003Whole songAs recorded, in A majorF♯m – D – A – EOpen chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Otherside
Red Hot Chili Peppers · 2000Whole songAs recorded, in C majorAm – F – C – GOpen chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Africa
Toto · 1982ChorusAs recorded, in A majorF♯m – D – A – EOpen chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →Apologize
Timbaland & OneRepublic · 2007Whole songAs recorded, in E♭ majorCm – A♭ – E♭ – 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 →Despacito
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee · 2017Whole songAs recorded, in D majorBm – G – D – AOpen chords, no capo neededShapes you play Loads Spotify’s player, which may set cookies.Play these chords in the Chord Map →All of Me
John Legend · 2013Whole songAs recorded, in A♭ majorFm – D♭ – A♭ – 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 →
Why it works
Why it feels like this
Starting on the minor vi makes it feel like the home is sad, even though the C (I) is still there. The lift through IV and I to the V sounds like hope, and the V turns back to the minor instead of resolving. In minor-key terms it’s i–VI–III–VII: the epic minor rock anthem.
- Em → CHopeful riseIn the key
The bass falls a third and two notes stay put. Minor opens up into warmth.
- C → GSoft returnHome
The “amen” move. There’s no leading tone, so G arrives gently instead of snapping shut.
- G → DLift offIn the key
The bass jumps to the dominant. Tension starts to build and wants to come back.
- D → EmDeceptive turnIn the key
Your ear expects home, but the bass steps up to the relative minor instead. A bittersweet surprise.
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.
Start on another chord
Same four chords, new first chord. The mood shifts from bright to longing (or back).
Try it →G – D – Em – CI–V–vi–IVPull harder to the minor
End on a major III: it leans into the minor chord like a dominant.
Try it →Em – C – G – Bvi–IV–I–IIIAdd sevenths
Softer and jazzier: every chord gets one more note.
Try it →Em7 – Cmaj7 – G – Dvi7–IVmaj7–I–VMake it the chorus
A verse that stays closer to home, then this as the lift. Two sections, ready to write on.
Try it →G – D – Em – CI–V–vi–IVEm – C – G – Dvi–IV–I–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 sensitive female chord progression
Quick answers about temperaments, instruments, accuracy, and what actually runs on your Mac.
Why is it called the sensitive female chord progression?
It’s a nickname music writers gave it after hearing it in so many emotional pop songs of the 2000s. Musically it’s simply vi–IV–I–V, also written i–VI–III–VII in minor.Is vi–IV–I–V the same as I–V–vi–IV?
Same four chords, different starting point. Starting on the minor chord changes where the music feels at home, so it sounds darker and more yearning.What are the chords in E minor?
Em–C–G–D, the chords of Zombie by The Cranberries. In A minor: Am–F–C–G.
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