Dorian i-bIII-bVII-IV Chord Progression
The Dorian i-bIII-bVII-IV is the chord progression i-bIII-bVII-IV. In the key of C minor it is Cm Eb Bb F, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1m b3 b7 4.
It is also known as Boulevard of Broken Dreams progression (informal).
Chords from outside the key of C minor: F.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
It starts with the minor rock shape i-bIII-bVII and finishes on a major IV, the Dorian colour note, which sets up a bright lift before the loop drops back to i. Wikipedia's Dorian page notes that pop songs use this sequence. Compared with I-bIII-bVII-IV in the 52, the minor tonic makes it darker.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulevard of Broken Dreams | Green Day | verse | Fm Ab Eb Bb | F minor |
| How You Remind Me | Nickelback | chorus | Cm Eb Bb F | C minor |
| What Goes Around... Comes Around | Justin Timberlake | verse and chorus | Am C G D | A minor |
| Radioactive | Imagine Dragons | verse and chorus | Bm D A E | B minor |
Dorian i-bIII-bVII-IV Chord Progression: Chords and Audio in C, G, D, A and E
Press play to hear each key. The diagrams show the shapes used in the audio, and every chord links to its full page.
More progressions like this one
- Dorian i-ii vamp: Cm7 Dm7
- Phrygian vamp: Cm Db
- Phrygian i-bII-bIII: Cm Db Eb
- Phrygian dominant vamp: C Db
All guitar chord progressions →
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the chords of the Dorian i-bIII-bVII-IV in each key?
In C minor: Cm Eb Bb F. In G minor: Gm Bb F C. In D minor: Dm F C G. In A minor: Am C G D. In E minor: Em G D A.
Which songs use the Dorian i-bIII-bVII-IV?
Songs that use it include Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day, How You Remind Me by Nickelback, What Goes Around... Comes Around by Justin Timberlake.
