I IV iv Chord Progression
In the key of C major the I-IV-iv progression is C F Fm. In the Nashville Number System it is written 1 4 4m.
It is also known as Plagal sigh, Minor plagal cadence with IV, Beatles cadence.
The same loop is also written IV-iv-I.
Chords from outside the key of C major: Fm.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
IV to iv is a chromatic slide, A falling to Ab, with the minor iv borrowed from the parallel minor. This is the minor plagal cadence and it gives the bittersweet, nostalgic sigh heard all over the Beatles' songbook.
The same loop as Plagal sigh (IV-iv-I)
A major IV turns minor, so the sixth degree slides down a half step and then down again to the fifth, 6 to flat 6 to 5, while the harmony settles on I. The borrowed iv gives a nostalgic, sentimental ache. Hooktheory lists it among its popular borrowed chord progressions.
How to use it
This chord progression is used briefly in songs, The Beatles were big fans of it. Occasionally you will see it repeated in a chorus or verse, but usually only in passing.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don't Look Back in Anger | Oasis | pre-chorus | F Fm6 C F Fm6 C | C major |
| How to Love | Lil Wayne | chorus | G Gmaj7 Cmaj7 Cm with capo 4, sounding B Bmaj7 Emaj7 Em | B major |
| Wake Me Up When September Ends | Green Day | verse | C Cm G | G major |
| You Won't See Me | The Beatles | verse | A A7 D Dm A | A major |
| In My Life | The Beatles | verse | G7/F C Cm G with capo 2, sounding A7 D Dm A | A major |
| Nobody Home | Pink Floyd | bridge | C C7 F Fm C | C major |
I IV 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.
Longer progressions that contain it
- I-I7-IV-iv minor plagal: C C7 F Fm
More progressions like this one
- I-II-ii: C D Dm
- I-v-ii: C Gm Dm
- Creep progression: C E F Fm
- I-bIII-IV: C Eb F
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-iv progression in each key?
In C major: C F Fm. In G major: G C Cm. In D major: D G Gm. In A major: A D Dm. In E major: E A Am.
Which songs use the I-IV-iv progression?
Songs that use it include Don't Look Back in Anger by Oasis, How to Love by Lil Wayne, Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day.
