->"''Six and one of half a dozen''
->''Black guitars and plastic blues.''
->''Hide behind a wall of nothing''
->''Nothing said and nothing new.''
->''Four chords that made a million.''"
--> -- '''PorcupineTree''', "Four Chords That Made A Million"

'''I-V-vi-IV'''. There's just something about these four chords that makes for a catchy tune in western pop music, transcending the boundaries of genre, and work in a song with any mood or tempo. This particular ordering of them, the "pop-punk progression" as TheOtherWiki calls it, was spawned as a variant of the DooWopProgression, and has been particularly popular from the 1990s to the present day. Actually OlderThanTheyThink - this progression is already known in the Baroque music. PachelbelsCanon is a variant of this progression, known as PachelbelsCanonProgression.

The Roman numerals above represent a sequence of four chords. If you don't know Roman analysis, check out [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pidokakU4I this video]], or play these chords on a piano: C major, G major, A minor, F major. Repeat if desired. If this progression loops back to I, this effectively produces a PlagalCadence. Very often, this progression is used as an {{ostinato}}--a repeated pattern that occurs throughout a song (or a part of it).

In a major key, this progression is I V vi IV. If we play them in a different order, vi IV I V, (A minor, F major, C major, G major)the progression sounds to be in the relative minor key (the key whose home note starts on the sixth note of its relative major key), in which case we notate it as i VI III VII. This version is sometimes called the "sensitive-female chord progression."

All of these progressions can be and are played with fifth or "power" chords; these are not major or minor chords (they don't possess the "third" which determines whether a chord is major or minor), but people's ears will pick up on the sound they're "expecting" to hear and fill in the blanks mentally so the progression sounds right.

Note, as always, that TropesAreTools: while it has proven to be an irresistible progression, a band who relies on it for too many of their songs runs the risk of being regarded as unimaginative and dull.

It's become a recent theme of music oriented comedy to make fun of this trope.

See its predecessor from the 30's to mid 60's, the TwelveBarBlues.

Related chord progressions:
* ThreeChordsAndTheTruth, which generally uses I-IV-V.
* HumoresqueProgression: '''vi-IV-V-I''', or if considered to be in minor, '''i-VI-VII-III'''
* DooWopProgression: '''I-vi-IV-V'''
* PachelbelsCanonProgression: '''I-V-vi-iii-IV-I-IV-V'''

!!Examples of I V vi IV (the major key version):

* Music/{{Adele}} - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAc83CF8Ejk&ob=av2n Someone Like You]]"
* Music/{{A-ha}} - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914 Take On Me]]" (chorus only; verse is ii-V-I-IV)
* Gary Allan — "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEkQGa_O5tU Songs About Rain]]" (verses)
* Music/AlexandraBurke - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QprjWU7PXXo Bad Boys]]"
* Axis of Awesome [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pidokakU4I shows us]] a lot of examples ([[SquarePegRoundTrope and a few non-examples]]).
* Music/AliciaKeys - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I3ZzFGxgd8 No One]]"
* Music/{{Aqua}} - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buXJlBd3Mf8 Doctor Jones]]" (the chorus and alternating lines of the verses)
* Music/TheBeatles - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0714IbwC3HA Let It Be]]" (first half of the verse; second half is I-V-IV-I)
* Billie Myers - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq-r4ZUpels Kiss the Rain]]"
* Music/{{Blink-182}} - Dammit, Feeling This, Always, Carousel, What's My Age Again? and more. It's called the "pop-punk progression" for a reason.
* Music/BobMarley - "No Woman No Cry"
* Bush - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z66yp3cMwkw Glycerine]]" and "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbhFfFyZQbA Comedown]]"
* Caramell - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anEVeN4K-SY Caramelldansen]]"[[hottip:*:Link goes to the slow original, not the [[MemeticMutation more well known Speedycake remix.]]
* Music/TheCars - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYz4lwpKUkU Tonight She Comes]]"
* Music/CherLloyd - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y58OT6jlLvE Swagger Jagger]]" (In the choruses after the first verse. It's more noticeable in the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N55Rg1-g3Vs instrumental version]].)
* Cinderella - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i28UEoLXVFQ Don't Know What You Got ('Til It's Gone)]]"
* CrayonShinChan's EndingTheme
* CristinaValenzuela - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jc6LSDokgQ&feature=channel&list=UL "Remember Me"]] from ''VideoGame/AlwaysRememberMe'' (but only in the verses).
* Music/CrowdedHouse- "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBixWtkxztI Fall At Your Feet]]"
* Music/EmilieAutumn - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6k7nQhkYLA What If]]"
* Music/{{Enya}} - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2PYEEMXREU "On My Way Home"]] (chorus only)
* Florida Georgia Line — "Cruise"
* GreenDay - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8dh9gDzmz8 When I Come Around]]" (but not in the chorus)
* Hammerhead - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqo0ccrNJEc "Ev'rybody Gets Laid Tonight"]]
* IngridMichaelson - "Everybody", refrain
* James Blunt - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oofSnsGkops You're Beautiful]]"
* Jamie Grace featuring tobymac - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENlO-uVg8Sk Hold Me]]"
* JasonAldean — "Big Green Tractor" (verses)
* Music/JasonMraz - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHTsc9PU2A&ob=av3e I'm Yours]]"
* Jimmy Wayne — "Paper Angels" (verses)
* Music/{{Journey}} - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfUYuIVbFg0 Don't Stop Believing]]"
* Jun Senoue - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9wh0tqnpzU "Sea Gate"]] (from ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'')
* Music/LadyGaga - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2smz_1L2_0 Paparazzi]]"
** Also, the chorus of "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeWBS0JBNzQ&ob=av2e Edge of Glory]]" and "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Okq8xHrIZ8I&ob=av2e Hair]]"
* Le Click - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geO_ioeZ_iE Call Me]]"
* LizPhair - "Why Can't I", verse (and has the reordered minor key version in the refrain)
* Maroon 5 - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIjVuRTm-dc She Will Be Loved]]"
* Men At Work - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V_X4LGakmU Down Under]]"
* {{Mika}} - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFkSMHle8-M Happy Ending]]"
* WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0VbyYcljx8&feature=watch_response_rev BBBFF]] (verses)
* [[{{Vocaloid}} Miku Hatsune]] - "[=PoPiPo=]"
* OLIVIA - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgOrbSh0W20 "Winter Sleep"]]
* OneRepublic - "Say (All I Need)"
* OwlCity - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIz2K3ArrWk Vanilla Twilight]]
* Music/{{Pink}} - "Fucking Perfect"
* Music/ThePolice - "So Lonely"
* Music/RedHotChiliPeppers - [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwlogyj7nFE "Under the Bridge"]] (verse)
* RelientK - "In Love with the '80s (Pink Tux to the Prom)"; this may have been an homage to the Cars (the background arrangement is very similar to "Tonight She Comes")
** Also "Pressing On" and "Forward Motion".
* RichardMarx - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_E2EHVxNAE Right Here Waiting]]" (part of the chorus)
* Richard Jacques - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auQTg4kOakc The title screen music]] from ''[[VideoGame/SegaSuperstars Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed]]''.
* RieTanaka's [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sidvycbl2Zk&feature=relmfu cover of "Anarchy In The UK"]] by TheSexPistols.
* Sarina Paris - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4om_eQ42mT4&feature=related Look At Us Baby]]" (the chorus)
* ''SesameStreet'' (yes, ''Sesame Street'') - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEwNGgNXr9U The Word Is No]]"
* Shoji Meguro - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGfjGZLHq7M "Spirited Girl"]] (from ''VideoGame/Persona4Arena'')
* Music/TaylorSwift - "Eyes Open", "I Knew You Were Trouble" (verse)
* Train - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JV74i4yvcA Hey Soul Sister]]"
* {{U2}} - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmSdTa9kaiQ With or Without You]]"
* YukoGoto's [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu_9It7xxvo&feature=related cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit"]] by {{Nirvana}}.
* Every [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZoO8LyizLA Bo Burnham]] song ever.

!!Examples of i VI III VII (the minor key version):

* ArcadeFire - "Rebellion (Lies)" (in the bridge)
* Music/{{Beyonce}} - "If I Were A Boy"
* {{Bon Jovi}} - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SKFwtgUJHs It's My Life]]"
* {{Coldplay}} - "The Scientist"
* {{The Cranberries}} - "Zombie"
* Music/{{Crush 40}} - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9zZus_1_ag Live and Learn]]" (verse)
* Music/DaftPunk - "Contact"
* Digital Emotion - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClLYw2XZodk Go Go Yellow Screen]]"
* Dr. Reanimator - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BnOUOkcr9c "Move Your Dead Bones"]] (intro, chorus, and instrumental bridge)
* Eagle Eye Cherry - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTa2Bzlbjv0 Save Tonight]]"
* {{Evanescence}} - "Bring Me To Life" (chorus; verses are basically i-i-VII-VII)
* Flo Rida - "Whistle"
* Gary Allan — "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)"
* Music/GreenDay - "Holiday" (alternating with i-VI-III-V), "21 Guns" (the verses, at least)
* [[AutoTuneTheNews The Gregory Brothers]] - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX0D4oZwCsA "Double Rainbow (remix)"]]
* GrooveCoverage: "God is a Girl"
* Iyaz - "Replay"
* Joan Osborne - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4CRkpBGQzU One of Us]]"
* Music/KeithUrban — "Long Hot Summer" (verses)
* Kelly Clarkson - "Behind These Hazel Eyes", "Stronger"
* KennyChesney — "Come Over"
* Kitsune^2 - [[http://vulpvibe.bandcamp.com/track/avast-your-ass "Avast Your Ass"]] (and the [[MemeticMutation many, many remixes]])
* LadyGaga - "Poker Face" (chorus), "Heavy Metal Lover"
* LinkinPark - "Numb", "Crawling"
* MGMT - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrC3GNKdM94 Kids]]"
* Newsboys - "Spirit Thing"
* NY - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzIRIl-9CRg "Trophy Boy (Todd Edwards Remix)"]] (chorus only)
* TheOffspring seem to love this. They use it in "Gotta Get Away", "Self Esteem", "Have You Ever", "The Kids Aren't Alright", "All I Want", "Dammit, I Changed Again" and "You're Gonna Go Far Kid".
* Of Monsters and Men - "Little Talks" (chorus)
* {{O-Zone}}: "Dragostea Din Tei" (also known as the "[[MemeticMutation Numa Numa Song]]") during the verses
* [[PanicAtTheDisco Panic! At the Disco]] - "I Write Sins Not Tragedies"
* RascalFlatts — "What Hurts the Most"
* RedHotChiliPeppers - "Otherside", "Don't Forget Me", "Snow (Hey Oh)"
* Ricardo Autobahn - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFM140rju4k "Golden Age of Video"]]
* Sarah [=McLachlan=] - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QUq72fla3o&ob=av3e Building a Mystery]]"
* {{Shakira}} - "She Wolf"
* Tim Minchin - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTQ9TpSSpF8 Canvas Bags]]"
* {{Timbaland}} ft. OneRepublic - "Apologize"
* Toto - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azVqekQBK8g Africa]]"
* Music/UtadaHikaru - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tMg3bjLnjw "Beautiful World"]]

!!Other chord progressions containing the four chords

* HumoresqueProgression
* DooWopProgression
* '''I-IV-vi-V'''
** PatBenatar - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTdMJuu9qYg Hit Me With Your Best Shot]]"
** Music/{{Boston}} - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSR6ZzjDZ94 More Than A Feeling]]" (the chorus)
** Liz Phair - "Why Can't I", intro
** Tracy Chapman - "Talkin' About A Revolution"
** Wiz Khalifa - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuVAeTHqijk No Sleep]]"
** Fine Young Cannibals - "She Drives Me Crazy"
** B.O.B. featuring Rivers Cuomo - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq-NShfefks Magic]]"
** The theme song from ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic''
*** And "Love Is in Bloom" from that same show
** Jun Senoue - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWCDEJDnlic "Casino Park"]] (also from ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'')
** Mika - "We Are Golden"

* '''I-IV-V-vi'''
** KatyPerry - "California Gurls"

* '''vi-V-I-IV'''
** Taio Cruz - "Dynamite"
** NY - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVK-OPpACpY "Trophy Boy"]]

* '''I-vi-V-IV'''
** {{Alabama}} — "Dixieland Delight"
** BradPaisley with CarrieUnderwood — "Remind Me"
** {{Eagles}} — "Take It Easy"
** Spin Doctors - "Two Princes"
** CheapTrick - "Surrender" (chorus)
** The [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0Wvn-9BXVc Megaupload Song]]

* '''vi-I-V-IV'''
** The ''MortalKombat'' theme
** {{Eminem}} - "Space Bound"
** BloodhoundGang - "The Bad Touch"
** {{Rihanna}} - "Disturbia"

* '''IV-I-V-vi''' (major key version, starting on the fourth phrase)
** Music/TheBandPerry — "If I Die Young"
** Martina [=McBride=] — "Happy Girl" (verses)
** {{Nickelback}} - "If Everyone Cared"
** Rihanna - "Umbrella" (chorus)
** {{O-Zone}} - "Dragostea din Tei", during the chorus
** Jay Sean - "Down"
** {{Muse}} - "Citizen Erased" (chorus; actually IV - I - V/vi (III) - vi, or bVI-bIII-V-i)
** Music/TaylorSwift — "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"

* '''V-vi-IV-I'''
** Marvin Gaye - "Sexual Healing"
** John Mayer - "Waiting on the World to Change" (alternates with I-vi-IV-I)

* '''IV-V-I-vi'''
** {{Sugarland}} — "Everyday America" (verses)
** Marc Cohn - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK5YGWS5H84 Walking in Memphis]]"
** {{Coldplay}} - "Viva la Vida"

* '''IV-I-vi-V'''
** Music/{{Maroon 5}} - "Payphone"
** Music/TomPetty - "Learning to Fly"
** Together - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGEOYmMe-aI "So Much Love to Give"]]

* '''V-I-vi-IV'''
** Music/{{REM}} - "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luuqhAS0x6o What's the Frequency Kenneth]]"

* '''I-V-IV-vi'''
** Tonic - "You Wanted More"

* '''vi-V-IV-I'''
** Very briefly in ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' series' [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5biIXoKAHo main theme]], except that the "vi" is a major chord.

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