I–V–vi–IV ("Axis of Awesome")
I – V – vi – IV
The most-used pop progression of all time. Made famous by the "4 Chord Song" mashup — over 70 chart hits use these four chords in this order.
Voicings in common keys
C major:CGAmF
G major:GDEmC
D major:DABmG
A major:AEF#mD
When you hear this
Examples: "Let It Be" (Beatles), "Don't Stop Believin'" (Journey), "With or Without You" (U2), "Someone Like You" (Adele).
Songs that use this progression
Songs in our catalog whose chord set contains all chords from one of the key realizations above. Sorted by popularity.
Give You Glory
Jeremy Camp
MediumKey D132 BPM
Born in Bethlehem
Third Day
EasyKey D144 BPM
Made To Worship
Chris Tomlin
MediumKey C86 BPM
Plane
Jason Mraz
MediumKey E80 BPM
TURN OFF THE LIGHT
Nelly Furtado
MediumKey G90 BPM
With a Little Help from My Friends
Joe Cocker
MediumKey A75 BPM
Geek in the Pink
Jason Mraz
MediumKey B88 BPM
HONEY, I'M GOOD
Andy Grammer
EasyKey A120 BPM
I'M YOURS
Jason Mraz
MediumKey C85 BPM
JUST LIKE JESSE JAMES
Cher
MediumKey A78 BPM
Proud Mary
Ike & Tina Turner
MediumKey D100 BPM
Thank God I'm a Country Boy
John Denver
EasyKey A100 BPM
Beautiful One
Jeremy Camp
MediumKey D120 BPM
GOODBYE ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Jewel
MediumKey A78 BPM
We Fall Down
Chris Tomlin
MediumKey E70 BPM
Follow Me
John Denver
EasyKey B120 BPM
TWO PEOPLE FELL IN LOVE
Brad Paisley
EasyKey C100 BPM
Let My Words Be Few
Matt Redman
EasyKey G84 BPM
HAPPY ENDING
Mika
MediumKey C98 BPM
ALL ALONE
fun.
MediumKey D92 BPM
BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN
Colbie Caillat
MediumKey A120 BPM
CONQUEROR
Estelle and Jussie Smollett
EasyKey C66 BPM
GET BACK UP AGAIN
Anna Kendrick
EasyKey G74 BPM
MAKE ME FEEL
Janelle Monae
EasyKey G116 BPM
Other progressions to learn
vi–IV–I–V (Sensitive Female Progression)I–IV–V (Three-Chord Classic)ii–V–I (Jazz Cadence)12-Bar BluesI–vi–IV–V (Doo-Wop / "50s Progression")Canon Progression (Pachelbel)Andalusian CadenceRoyal Road Progression (IV–V–iii–vi)i–III–IV–VI ("House of the Rising Sun")I–vi–ii–V (Jazz "Rhythm Changes" Turnaround)I–IV–I–V (Country Two-Step)