Canon Progression (Pachelbel)
I – V – vi – iii – IV – I – IV – V
Pachelbel's Canon in D — 8-chord descending loop. Used relentlessly in pop ballads, wedding music, and instrumentals.
Voicings in common keys
D major (original):DABmF#mGDGA
C major:CGAmEmFCFG
When you hear this
Examples: "Basket Case" (Green Day), "Cryin'" (Aerosmith), "Memories" (Maroon 5). The descending bass line is the key signature.
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.
Born in Bethlehem
Third Day
EasyKey D144 BPM
With a Little Help from My Friends
Joe Cocker
MediumKey A75 BPM
MAKING LOVE OUT OF NOTHING AT ALL
Air Supply
MediumKey G76 BPM
BROKEN STRINGS
James Morrison featuring Nelly Furtado
MediumKey D112 BPM
CONQUEROR
Estelle and Jussie Smollett
EasyKey C66 BPM
GET BACK UP AGAIN
Anna Kendrick
EasyKey G74 BPM
OK, It's Alright with Me
Eric Hutchinson
MediumKey A84 BPM
UNANSWERED PRAYERS
Garth Brooks
EasyKey D70 BPM
HIGHER WINDOW
Josh Groban
EasyKey C72 BPM
IF YOU'RE GONE
Matchbox Twenty
MediumKey A100 BPM
Perfectly Lonely
John Mayer
MediumKey C100 BPM
ALL THE YOUNG DUDES
Mott The Hoople
MediumKey D80 BPM
I CARE
Beyoncé
MediumKey E90 BPM
AMAZED
Lonestar
EasyKey A72 BPM
GRACE GOT YOU
MercyMe
MediumKey D88 BPM
LOVE ON THE BRAIN
Rihanna
MediumKey G86 BPM
SUITE: JUDY BLUE EYES
Crosby, Stills & Nash
AdvancedKey E120 BPM
TWO OUT OF THREE AIN'T BAD
Meat Loaf
MediumKey A85 BPM
CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR
tobyMac featuring Leigh Nash
EasyKey C96 BPM
DUSK TILL DAWN
ZAYN feat. Sia
MediumKey B90 BPM
HAPPY
Leona Lewis
EasyKey C75 BPM
Only You Can Love Me This Way
Keith Urban
EasyKey D60 BPM
BRAND NEW ME
Alicia Keys
MediumKey C75 BPM
DON'T DO SADNESS/BLUE WIND
Duncan Sheik
MediumKey A124 BPM
Other progressions to learn
I–V–vi–IV ("Axis of Awesome")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")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)