The I-IV-I-V7 Progression
I-IV-I-V Variations:
This progression uses the "V" chord instead of the "V7" chord in the I-IV-I-V7 progression. (The I-IV-I-V7 and the I-IV-I-V progressions are essentially interchangeable and the latter is presented here for purposes of analysis.)
Examples of the use of this progression include
The Lion Sleeps Tonight (
See Tab) verse (1961),
Another Saturday Night (
See Tab) verse (1963),
Brown Eyed Girl (
Hear Song - RealPlayer /
See Tab /
Watch Video - RealPlayer) verse (1967),
Sweet Caroline (
See Tab) verse (1969),
Spirit In The Sky (
See Tab)verse (1970), and
American Pie (
See Tab) chorus 1972.
Chord Substitutions:
Below are some well-known songs written by applying chord substitutions to the I-IV-I-V progression variation. The I-IV-I-V and the I5-IV-I5-V progressions are essentially interchangeable and the latter is presented here for purposes of analysis. These Power Chord substitutions are most frequently encountered in Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Music as these chords sound particularly good when distorted.
E-A-E-[F#m-G#m-A]-B =
The Cheater verse (1966)
E-A6-E-B =
Me And Julio Down By The School Yard intro (1972)
E-Asus2-E-Badd4 =
Free Fallin' verse (1990)
E5-A-E5-B =
Katmandu verse (1974)
E5-A5-E5-Bsus4 =
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes verse 1 (1969)
E5-Aadd9-E/G#-B5 =
You Shook Me All Night Long chorus (1980)
The chord diagrams to play the verse to Tom Petty's 1990 hit
Free Fallin' are shown below followed by
the openning verse progression to Van Morrison's 1967 hit
Brown Eyed Girl.
