Chord progression and a turnaround used in Western popular music
The ' 50s progression (also known as the "Heart and Soul " chords , the "Stand by Me " changes ,[ 1] [ 2] the doo-wop progression [ 3] : 204 and the "ice cream changes "[ 4] ) is a chord progression and turnaround used in Western popular music . The progression, represented in Roman numeral analysis , is I–vi–IV–V . For example, in C major: C–Am–F–G. As the name implies, it was common in the 1950s and early 1960s and is particularly associated with doo-wop . The first popular song to use the progression was "Blue Moon ", written in 1934. This inspired "Heart and Soul" in 1938.
In Western classical music during the common practice period , chord progressions are used to structure a musical composition . The destination of a chord progression is known as a cadence , or two chords that signify the end or prolongation of a musical phrase . The most conclusive and resolving cadences return to the tonic or I chord; following the circle of fifths , the most suitable chord to precede the I chord is a V chord. This particular cadence, V–I, is known as an authentic cadence . However, since a I–V–I progression is repetitive and skips most of the circle of fifths, it is common practice to precede the dominant chord with a suitable predominant chord, such as a IV chord or a ii chord (in major ), in order to maintain interest. In this case, the '50s progression uses a IV chord, resulting in the ubiquitous I–IV–V–I progression. The vi chord before the IV chord in this progression (creating I–vi–IV–V–I) is used as a means to prolong the tonic chord, as the vi or submediant chord is commonly used as a substitute for the tonic chord, and to ease the voice leading of the bass line: in a I–vi–IV–V–I progression (without any chordal inversions ) the bass voice descends in major or minor thirds from the I chord to the vi chord to the IV chord.
As with any other chord progression, there are many possible variations, for example turning the dominant or V into a V7 , or repeated I–vi progression followed by a single IV–V progression. A very common variation is having ii substitute for the subdominant , IV, creating the progression I–vi–ii–V (a variant of the circle progression ) and thus the ii–V–I turnaround .[citation needed ]
50s progression in C – harmonic rhythm
two beat
four beat
eight beat
variable
Variations include switching the vi and the IV chord to create I–IV–vi–V, as is used in "More Than a Feeling " by Boston [ 5] and "She Drives Me Crazy " by Fine Young Cannibals .[ 6] [ 7] This is also similar to the I–V–vi–IV progression .[citation needed ]
The harmonic rhythm , or the pace at which the chords occur, may be varied including two beats (half-measure) per chord, four (full measure or bar ), eight (two measures), and eight beats per chord except for IV and V(7) which get four each.[ 3] : 206
"Sleep Walk " by Santo & Johnny uses a similar progression, with the IV replaced by its parallel minor iv for an overall progression of I–vi–iv–V.[citation needed ]
Examples in popular music [ edit ]
This is a partial list of recorded songs containing the '50s progression. The list does not include songs containing the progression for very short, irrelevant sections of the songs. In some cases, such as "Blue Moon ", it includes notable remade recordings of songs ("covers ") by other artists; but mostly the songs are shown in their original versions.
Title
Artist
Year
Progression
"Hero "
Enrique Iglesias
2001
I–vi–IV–V
"A Hundred Pounds of Clay "
Gene McDaniels
1960
I-vi-IV-V
"The KKK Took My Baby Away "
Ramones
1981
I–vi–IV–V
"Oh, Pretty Woman "
Roy Orbison; Roy Orbison, Bill Dees (writers)
1964
I–vi–IV–V
"Ain't I Right "
Marty Robbins
1966
I–vi–IV–V
"A Teenager in Love "
Dion and the Belmonts ; Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman (writers)
1959
I–vi–IV–V
"Angel Baby "
Rosie and the Originals
1960
I–vi–IV–V
"Aku Yang Tersakiti "
Judika
2010
I–vi–IV–V
"All I Have to Do Is Dream "
The Everly Brothers
1958
I–vi–IV–V
"All Right "
Christopher Cross
1983
I–vi–ii–V
"Baby "
Justin Bieber
2010
I–vi–IV–V
"Baby Doll"
The Buttertones
2016
I–vi–IV–V
"Bad Girl"
The Detroit Cobras
1996
I–vi–IV–V
"Bau Bau Bau"
Project Pop
2003
I–vi–IV–V
"Baby, I'm an Anarchist! "
Against Me!
2002
I–vi–IV–V
"Beautiful Girls "
Sean Kingston
2007
I–vi–IV–V
"Beyond the Sea "[ 8]
Jack Lawrence and Charles Trenet
1946
I–vi–IV–V
"Blank Space "
Taylor Swift
2014
I–vi–IV–V (verses)
"Bleeding Love "
Leona Lewis
2007
I–vi–IV–V
"Blue Moon "
The Marcels
1961
I–vi–IV–V
"Body Feels EXIT "
Namie Amuro
1995
vi–IV–V–I
"Body Say "[ 9]
Demi Lovato
2016
IV–V–I–vi (chorus)
"Boom Clap "[ 10]
Charli XCX
2014
IV–V–I–vi
"Boyband"
Tipe-X
2012
I–vi–IV–V
"Boys (Summertime Love)
Sabrina
1987
IV–V–I–vi (pre-chorus)
"Boyfriend"
Boyfriend
2011
I–vi–IV–V
"Brave "
Sara Bareilles
2013
I–vi–IV–V (verse and chorus)
"Brave as a Noun"
Andrew Jackson Jihad
2007
I–vi–IV–V
"Bristol Stomp "
The Dovells
1961
I–vi–IV–V
"Breaking Up Is Hard To Do "
Neil Sedaka
1962
I–vi–IV–V
"Brokenhearted "
Karmin
2012
I–vi–IV–V
"Burberry Headband "
Lil Mosey
2018
I–vi–IV–V
"C.h.a.o.s.m.y.t.h."
One Ok Rock
2011
I–vi–IV–V
"Capital Radio "
The Clash
1977
I–vi–IV–V
"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) "
Darlene Love
1963
I–vi–IV–V
"Chain Gang "[ 11]
Sam Cooke
1960
I–vi–IV–V
"Close Your Eyes"
Meghan Trainor
2014
I–vi–IV–V
"Cobalah untuk Setia"[citation needed ]
Krisdayanti
2004
I–vi–IV–V
"Complicated "
Avril Lavigne
2002
I–vi–IV–V (verses)
"Coney Island Baby"
The Excellents
1962
I–vi–IV–V
"Cradle Rock"
The Heartbreakers (Ray Collins / Frank Zappa )
1963
I–vi–IV–V
"Crocodile Rock "[ 12]
Elton John
1972
I–vi–IV–V
"Cupid "
Fifty Fifty
2023
ii–V–I–vi
"Can't Stop Lovin' You "
Van Halen
1995
I–vi–IV–V
"Da Doo", "Dentist"
Little Shop of Horrors (musical) Original Broadway Cast
1982
I–vi–IV–V
"Dance with Me Tonight "
Olly Murs
2011
I–vi–IV–V
"Dear Future Husband "
Meghan Trainor
2015
I–vi–IV–V
"Di Dadaku Ada Kamu"[citation needed ]
Vina Panduwinata
1984
ii–V–I–vi
"Diana "
Paul Anka
1957
I–vi–IV–V
"Donna "[ 13]
Ritchie Valens
1958
I–vi–IV–V
"Don't Dream It's Over "[ 14]
Crowded House
1986
IV–V–I–vi
"Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me "
Erasure
1997
I–vi–IV–V
"Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love) "
The Swingin' Medallions
1966
I–vi–IV–V
"Duke of Earl "[ 15]
Gene Chandler
1962
I–vi–IV–V
"Dura "
Daddy Yankee
2018
I–vi–IV–V
"D'yer Mak'er "
Led Zeppelin
1973
I–vi–IV–V
"Earth Angel "[ 13] [ 16]
The Penguins
1954
I–vi–IV–V
"Endless Mine"
Sega
1994
I−vi−IV−V
"Enola Gay (song) "
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
1980
I–vi–IV–V
"Epiphany "
BTS
2018
I–vi–IV–V
"Escape From The City"
Ted Poley
2001
I–vi–IV–V
"Eternal Flame "[ 17]
The Bangles /Atomic Kitten
1989/2001
I–vi–IV–V
"Every Breath You Take "
The Police
1983
I–vi–IV–V
"Eyes of Blue"[ 18]
Paul Carrack
1995
I–vi–IV–V
"Eyes on Me "
Faye Wong
1999
I–vi–IV–V
"Flightless Bird, American Mouth "
Iron & Wine
2007
I–vi–IV–V
"Flying Without Wings
Westlife
1999
I–vi–IV–V
"For Your Precious Love "[ 19]
Jerry Butler
1958
I–vi–IV–V
"Friday "[ 20]
Rebecca Black
2011
I–vi–IV–V
"Give a Little Love "[ 21]
Bay City Rollers
1975
I–vi–IV–V
"Go Cry On Somebody Else's Shoulder "
The Mothers of Invention
1966
I–vi–IV–V
"Girl on Fire "
Alicia Keys
2011
I–vi–IV–V
"God Is in the Rhythm"
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard
2015
I–vi–IV–V
"Happiness Is a Warm Gun "[ 15] [ 22]
The Beatles
1968
I–vi–IV–V
"Have It All "
Jason Mraz
2018
I–vi–IV–V
"Hazure03"
Kazumi Totaka [ 23] (Animal Crossing: New Horizons )
2020
I–vi–ii–V
"Heart and Soul "[ 24]
Larry Clinton feat. Bea Wain
1938
I–vi–IV–V
"I'll Be Missing You "
Puff Daddy feat. Faith Evans & 112
1997
I–vi–IV–V
"I'll Make Love to You "
Boyz II Men
1994
I–vi–IV–V
"I'm the One "
DJ Khaled
2017
I–vi–IV–V
"I'm Waiting for the Day "
The Beach Boys
1966
I–vi–IV–V
"I Always Knew "
The Vaccines
2012
I–vi–IV–V
"I Love You Too Much"
The Book of Life (soundtrack)
2014
I–vi–IV–V
"I Think They Call This Love"
Elliot James Reay
2024
I–vi–ii–V
"Ima, Kimi wo Omou"[ 25]
HKT48
2014
vi–IV–V–I
"In the Aeroplane Over the Sea "[ 26]
Neutral Milk Hotel
1998
I–vi–IV–V
"In The Shape Of A Heart "
Jackson Browne
1986
I–vi–IV–V
"In the Still Of the Night "
The Five Satins
1956
I–vi–IV–V
"I Wanna Be With You"
The Raspberries
1974
I–vi–IV–V
"I Will Always Love You "
Dolly Parton / Whitney Houston
1974/1992
I–vi–IV–V
"Jesus of Suburbia "[ 27] [ 28]
Green Day
2004
I–vi–IV–V
"Joey "
Concrete Blonde
1990
I–vi–IV–V
"Just One Look "
Doris Troy "[ 29]
1963
I–vi–IV–V
"Judas "
Lady Gaga
2011
IV–V–I–vi
"Just the Way You Are "
Bruno Mars
2010
I–vi–IV–I
"Kimberly "
Patti Smith
1975
I–vi–IV–V
"Last Kiss "[ 30]
Wayne Cochran
1961
I–vi–IV–V
"Looking for an Echo "
Kenny Vance / Ol' 55
1975/1976
I–vi–IV–V
"Lollipop "[ 31]
Ronald & Ruby
1958
I–vi–IV–V
"Lonely This Christmas "[ 32]
Mud
1974
I–vi–IV–V
"Lovable "[ 33] [ 34]
Sam Cooke
1956
I–vi–IV–V
"Love Hurts "
The Everly Brothers / Nazareth
1960/1974
I–vi–IV–V
"Making Love Out Of Nothing At All"
Air Supply
1982
I–vi–IV–V
"Lupa Lupa Ingat "
Kuburan
2009
I–vi–ii–V
"Mama I'm A Big Girl Now"
Hairspray Original Broadway Cast
2002
I–vi–IV–V
"Mandy "
Barry Manilow
1974
I–vi–IV–V
"Marathon "
Tennis
2011
I–vi–IV–V
"Marvin Gaye "
Charlie Puth and Meghan Trainor
2015
I–vi–IV–V
"Me! "
Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie
2019
I–vi–IV–V
"Messin' Around"
Pitbull
2016
I–vi–IV–V
"Don't Dream It, Be It "
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
1975
I–vi–IV–V
"Hangin' Out with Jim"
GG Allin
1988
I–vi–IV–V
"Million Reasons "
Lady Gaga
2016
I–vi–IV–V
"Modern Girl "
Sleater Kinney
2005
I–vi–IV–V
"Monster Mash "
Bobby Pickett
1962
I–vi–IV–V
"My Broken Friend"
John DiMaggio featuring Beck
2001
I–vi–IV–V
"Never Be the Same "
Christopher Cross
1980
I–vi–ii–V
"No Hay Pedo"
Banda Los Recoditos
2014
I–vi–IV–V
"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now "
Starship
1987
I–vi–IV–V
"Octopus's Garden "
The Beatles
1969
I–vi–IV–V
"Oh True Love"
Everly Brothers
1960
I–vi–IV–V
"Bobby Brown "
Frank Zappa
1979
I–vi–IV–V
"Hang Fire "
The Rolling Stones
1981
I–vi–IV–V
"Saturday Night "
The Misfits
1999
I–vi–IV–V
"Oliver's Army "[ 35]
Elvis Costello
1979
I–vi–IV–V
"Perfect "[ 36]
Ed Sheeran
2017
I–vi–IV–V
"Please Mr. Postman "
The Marvelettes
1961
I–vi–IV–V
"Pretty Little Angel Eyes "
Curtis Lee
1961
I–vi–IV–V
"Prove It"
Television
1977
I–vi–IV–V
"Red Cadillac and a Black Moustache"
Warren Smith
1957
I–vi–IV–V
"Rinky Dink "
Dave "Baby" Cortez / Booker T & the MGs
1962
I–vi–IV–V
"Rude "
Magic!
2013
IV–V–I–vi
"Runaround Sue "
Dion
1961
I–vi–IV–V
"Seperti Yang Dulu"
Ungu
2005
IV–vi–IV–V
"Som Sarn"
Loso
1998
I–vi–IV–V
"Stand by Me "[ 37] [ 38]
Ben E. King
1961
I–vi–IV–V
"Suara (Ku Berharap)"
Hijau Daun
2008
I–vi–IV–V (verse)
"Surti Tejo "
Jamrud
2000
I–vi–IV–V
"Sweat (A La La La La Long) "
Inner Circle
1992
I–vi–ii–V
"Sympathique "
Pink Martini
1997
I–vi–ii–V
"Telephone Line "
Electric Light Orchestra
1976
I–vi–IV–V
"Tell Me Why "
The Beatles
1964
I–vi–IV–V
"The Man Comes Around "
Johnny Cash
2002
I–vi–IV–V
"The Thin Ice "
Pink Floyd
1979
I–vi–IV–V
"This Boy "
The Beatles
1963
I–vi–ii–V
"This is Me "
Keala Settle
2018
I–vi–IV–V
"This Magic Moment "[ 39]
The Drifters
1960
I–vi–IV–V
"Those Magic Changes "[ 40]
Sha Na Na
1978
I–vi–IV–V
"(Tired Of) Toein' The Line"
Rocky Burnette
1980
I–vi–IV–V
"Title Theme"
Hirokazu Tanaka (Dr. Mario )
1990
I–vi–IV–V
"Total Eclipse of the Heart "
Bonnie Tyler
1983
I–vi–IV–V
"Twistin' the Night Away "
Sam Cooke
1962
I–vi–IV–V
"Mr. Bass Man "
Johnny Cymbal
1961
I–vi–IV–V
"True Blue "[ 41]
Madonna
1986
I–vi–IV–V
"Unchained Melody "
The Righteous Brothers
1955
I–vi–IV–V
"Victoria's Secret "
Jax
2022
I–vi–IV–V
"We Almost Had A Baby "
Emmy the Great
2009
I–vi–IV–V
"Walking In Memphis "
Marc Cohn
1991
IV–V-I–vi
"We Are Young "
Fun ft. Janelle Monáe
2011
I–vi–IV–V
"We Go Together "[ 42]
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
1972
I–vi–IV–V
"Where Have All the Flowers Gone? "
Pete Seeger
1955
I–vi–IV–V
"Who Put the Bomp (in the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp) "
Barry Mann
1961
I–vi–IV–V
"Perfidia "
Alberto Domínguez , Glenn Miller
1939
I–vi–ii–V
"Why Do Fools Fall in Love "
Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers
1956
I–vi–IV–V
"You Don't Own Me "[ 43]
Lesley Gore
1963
I–vi–IV–V (chorus)
"Your Reality"[ 44]
Dan Salvato
2017
I–vi–IV–V
Examples in classical music [ edit ]
Instances of the I–vi–IV–V progression date back to the 17th century, for example, the ostinato bass line of Dieterich Buxtehude 's setting of Psalm 42, Quem admodum desiderat cervus , BuxWV 92:
Buxtehude, Psalm 42 "Quem ad modum desiderat cervis" Buxtehude, Psalm 42 "Quem ad modum desiderat cervis"
The opening of J. S. Bach 's Cantata "Wachet Auf ":
J. S. Bach Cantata BWV140, orchestral introduction to the opening chorus J. S. Bach Cantata BWV140, orchestral introduction to the opening chorus
The progression is found frequently in works by Mozart . At the end of the slow movement of his Piano Concerto No. 24, K. 491 , the progression is spelled out in arpeggios played by the bassoon:
Mozart, Piano Concerto K. 491, closing bars of the slow movement
Mozart, Piano Concerto K. 491, closing bars of the slow movement
The opening of his Piano Concerto No. 22, K. 482 extends the progression in a particularly subtle way, making use of suspensions :
Mozart Piano Concerto K. 482, opening bars
Mozart Piano Concerto K. 482, opening bars
Eric Blom (1935, p. 227) hears this passage as "the height of cunning contrivance resulting in what is apparently quite simple and obvious, but what could have occurred to nobody else."[ 45]
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^ "Last Kiss" , MusicNotes.com . (subscription required)
^ "Just Like a Pill" , MusicNotes.com . (subscription required)
^ "Lollipop" , MusicNotes.com . (subscription required)
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^ Robert Joffred (24 November 2017). "Weekly Billboard Theory — Perfect" . Medium . Retrieved 1 January 2020 .
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^ "Stand by Me" , MusicNotes.com . (subscription required)
^ "This Magic Moment" , MusicNotes.com . (subscription required)
^ "Those Magic Changes" , MusicNotes.com . (subscription required)
^ "True Blue" , MusicNotes.com . (subscription required)
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