I IV I V I Chord Progression
In the key of C major the I-IV-I-V-I progression is C F C G C. In the Nashville Number System it is written 1 4 1 5 1.
It is also known as Passamezzo moderno, quadran pavan, quadro pavan, Gregory Walker.
The same loop is also written I-IV-I-V-I-IV-I-V-I.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
A hymn and blues shape that alternates plagal and authentic motion: I-IV-I leaves and returns with the subdominant, then I-V-I does the same with the dominant. It is the skeleton of a lot of gospel, country and bluegrass, and of the blues form itself.
The same loop as Passamezzo moderno (I-IV-I-V-I-IV-I-V-I)
This is the major-key partner of the passamezzo antico, built from only I, IV and V. The first half ends on V and the second half answers and closes on I. It sounds plain and sturdy, and through parlour and folk song it fed into American popular music and, according to Wikipedia, the 12-bar blues.
How to use it
This is a variation of the 1-4-5 and the backbone of the blues progression. A blues song will often move back and forth on the I and IV before hitting a V and back to the tonic. It is normal to see V7 and even IV7 in blues songs.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic Jesus | Traditional (Ed Rush and George Cromarty version) | verse | G C G D G C G D G | G major |
| A History of Lovers | Iron & Wine | verse | D G D A D G D A D | D major |
| Honky Tonk Women | The Rolling Stones | verse | G C G A D G C G D G | G major |
| Maybellene | Chuck Berry | chorus | Bb Bb7 Eb Bb F Bb | Bb major |
| Sitting On Top Of The World | Cream | verse | G7 C7 G7 D7 G7 | G major |
| Folsom Prison Blues | Johnny Cash | pre-chorus (Hooktheory label) | F Bb F C7 F | F major |
| 9 To 5 | Dolly Parton | verse | F# B F# C# F# | F# major |
| Brown Eyed Girl | Van Morrison | verse | G C G D7 G | G major |
| American Pie | Don McLean | chorus | G C G D G | G major |
| Brown Eyed Girl | Van Morrison | verse and chorus | G C G D (plays I-IV-I-V) | G major |
| MMMBop | Hanson | chorus | A D A E (plays I-IV-I-V) | A major |
I IV I V I 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
- 12-bar blues, slow change: C C C C / F F C C / G F C C
- 12-bar blues, quick change: C7 F7 C7 C7 / F7 F7 C7 C7 / G7 F7 C7 G7
- Jazz blues: C7 F7 C7 C7 / F7 F#dim7 C7 A7 / Dm7 G7 C7 G7
- 12-bar minor blues: Cm7 Cm7 Cm7 Cm7 / Fm7 Fm7 Cm7 Cm7 / Ab7 G7 Cm7 G7
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 I-IV-I-V-I progression in each key?
In C major: C F C G C. In G major: G C G D G. In D major: D G D A D. In A major: A D A E A. In E major: E A E B E.
Which songs use the I-IV-I-V-I progression?
Songs that use it include Plastic Jesus by Traditional (Ed Rush and George Cromarty version), A History of Lovers by Iron & Wine, Honky Tonk Women by The Rolling Stones.
