I - V - vi - IV

Also known as the pop progression.

Four chords that turn up in an almost suspicious number of hit songs from the last several decades, across genres from arena rock to power ballads. Starting on the tonic and landing on the subdominant leaves the progression wanting to loop straight back to the start, which is exactly why it works so well under a repeating chorus.

Hear it in different keys

In G major

I G V D vim Em IV C

In D major

I D V A vim Bm IV G

Roman numerals show scale degree and quality: uppercase for major, lowercase for minor, a small circle for diminished. Tap any chord above to open its full page, with a diagram and playback.