The 4 Chords Behind Hundreds of Popular Songs

Have you ever noticed that so many songs sound familiar—even when they are in very different styles? That’s because most popular songs of the past 50 years are built on just four chords: the I (1st), V (5th), vi (6th), and IV (4th) chords of the scale.

Once you learn this simple pattern, you’ll start hearing it everywhere—from pop to rock to worship music. Let’s break it down and look at some real examples.

The Famous Four Chords

In any key, the 1st, 5th, 6th, and 4th notes of the scale give you a powerful chord progression that sounds complete and satisfying. Musicians often call it the “Four-Chord Progression.”

Here’s what it looks like in different keys:

• Key of C Major:

  • I = C

  • V = G

  • vi = Am

  • IV = F

• Key of G Major:

  • I = G

  • V = D

  • vi = Em

  • IV = C

• Key of D Major:

  • I = D

  • V = A

  • vi = Bm

  • IV = G

You’ll notice that in each case, the pattern stays the same—it’s always 1, 5, 6, and 4—but the actual chords change with the key.

Often the chords are in this exact order: 1, 5, 6, and 4. But the important thing is noticing that these four chords are the most commonly used in each key, even if they sometimes occur in a different order in a particular song.

Songs That Use These Chords

Here are just a few songs that rely on this magic formula:

• “With or Without You” – U2

•  “Let It Be” – The Beatles

•  “No Woman, No Cry” – Bob Marley

•  “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey

•  Countless modern worship songs (like “Blessed Be Your Name” or “Forever Reign”)

The list goes on and on. In fact, some comedians (Axis of Awesome) even did a famous medley where they sang dozens of songs over these exact four chords—and it worked every time. 

Why Do These Chords Work So Well?

These chords create a natural sense of movement:

• The I chord feels like home.

• The V chord builds tension and wants to resolve.

• The vi chord brings in the darker minor chord quality

• The IV chord adds a feeling of progress and variety

Put them together, and you’ve got a progression that’s simple, powerful, and endlessly versatile.

How You Can Use This

If you’re looking to play songs you love—or even start writing your own—learning the I–V–vi–IV progression in a few keys is one of the most valuable steps you can take.

Try this:

1. Pick one key (like C or G).

2. Practice switching among these four chords.

3. Listen to popular songs and see if you can match the chords.

Before long, you’ll be amazed at how many songs you can play with just these four chords.