Famous Song Examples by Chord Progression - Learn Guitar Songs

Learn Songs Through Chord Progressions

Did you know? Most popular songs use the same handful of chord progressions. Once you learn these patterns, you can play thousands of songs! This page shows you exactly which famous songs use which progressions, making it easy to build your repertoire.

🎯

Pattern Recognition

See how the same progression works across genres

📚

Practical Learning

Apply theory to real music immediately

🚀

Fast Progress

Learn multiple songs with one progression

Jump to Progression Type

I-V-vi-IV Progression Songs 12-Bar Blues Progression Songs vi-IV-I-V Progression Songs I-vi-IV-V (50s Progression) Songs I-IV-V (Three Chord) Songs ii-V-I Jazz Progression Songs I-bVII-IV (Modal Rock) Songs I-V-vi-iii-IV Progression Songs

I-V-vi-IV Progression Songs

BeginnerC - G - Am - F

The most popular progression in modern music

"Let It Be"

The Beatles (1970)

Key: C Major

CGAmF

"Someone Like You"

Adele (2011)

Key: A Major

AEF#mD

"No Woman No Cry"

Bob Marley (1974)

Key: C Major

CG/BAmF

"With or Without You"

U2 (1987)

Key: D Major

DABmG

"Perfect"

Ed Sheeran (2017)

Key: G Major

GDEmC

"Hey Soul Sister"

Train (2009)

Key: E Major

EBC#mA

12-Bar Blues Progression Songs

BeginnerI - I - I - I - IV - IV - I - I - V - IV - I - V

The foundation of blues, rock, and early rock'n'roll

"Johnny B. Goode"

Chuck Berry (1958)

Key: Bb Major

BbEbF

"Hound Dog"

Elvis Presley (1956)

Key: C Major

CFG

"Pride and Joy"

Stevie Ray Vaughan (1983)

Key: E Major

EAB

"Sweet Home Chicago"

Robert Johnson (1936)

Key: E Major

EAB7

"Rock and Roll"

Led Zeppelin (1971)

Key: A Major

ADE

"Crossroads"

Cream (1968)

Key: A Major

A7D7E7

vi-IV-I-V Progression Songs

BeginnerAm - F - C - G

Creates immediate emotional impact starting on the minor

"What's Up?"

4 Non Blondes (1992)

Key: C Major

AmFCG

"Zombie"

The Cranberries (1994)

Key: C Major

AmFCG

"One of Us"

Joan Osborne (1995)

Key: C Major

AmFCG

"Africa"

Toto (1982)

Key: F# Major

D#mBF#C#

"Apologize"

OneRepublic (2006)

Key: C Major

AmFCG

"She Will Be Loved"

Maroon 5 (2002)

Key: Bb Major

GmEbBbF

I-vi-IV-V (50s Progression) Songs

BeginnerC - Am - F - G

Classic doo-wop and early rock progression

"Stand By Me"

Ben E. King (1961)

Key: A Major

AF#mDE

"Every Breath You Take"

The Police (1983)

Key: G Major

GEmCD

"Unchained Melody"

The Righteous Brothers (1965)

Key: C Major

CAmFG

"Blue Moon"

The Marcels (1961)

Key: G Major

GEmCD

"Earth Angel"

The Penguins (1954)

Key: Bb Major

BbGmEbF

"Duke of Earl"

Gene Chandler (1962)

Key: F Major

FDmBbC

I-IV-V (Three Chord) Songs

BeginnerG - C - D

The simplest and most fundamental progression

"Wild Thing"

The Troggs (1966)

Key: A Major

ADE

"Louie Louie"

The Kingsmen (1963)

Key: A Major

ADE

"Twist and Shout"

The Beatles (1963)

Key: D Major

DGA

"La Bamba"

Ritchie Valens (1958)

Key: C Major

CFG

"Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)"

Green Day (1997)

Key: G Major

GCD

"Blitzkrieg Bop"

Ramones (1976)

Key: A Major

ADE

ii-V-I Jazz Progression Songs

IntermediateDm7 - G7 - Cmaj7

The cornerstone of jazz harmony

"Autumn Leaves"

Joseph Kosma (1945)

Key: G Major

Am7D7Gmaj7

"Fly Me to the Moon"

Frank Sinatra (1964)

Key: C Major

Dm7G7Cmaj7

"All The Things You Are"

Jerome Kern (1939)

Key: Ab Major

Fm7Bbm7Eb7Abmaj7

"Girl from Ipanema"

Antonio Carlos Jobim (1964)

Key: F Major

Gm7C7Fmaj7

"Satin Doll"

Duke Ellington (1953)

Key: C Major

Dm7G7Em7A7

"Take Five"

Dave Brubeck (1959)

Key: Eb minor

Cm7F7Bbm7

I-bVII-IV (Modal Rock) Songs

IntermediateD - C - G

Creates a powerful, anthemic sound

"Sweet Child O' Mine"

Guns N' Roses (1987)

Key: D Major

DCG

"Hey Joe"

Jimi Hendrix (1966)

Key: E Major

EDA

"Sympathy for the Devil"

The Rolling Stones (1968)

Key: E Major

EDA

"All Along the Watchtower"

Bob Dylan (1967)

Key: C Minor

CmBbF

"Can't You Hear Me Knocking"

The Rolling Stones (1971)

Key: D Major

DCG

"Cold Shot"

Stevie Ray Vaughan (1984)

Key: E Major

EDA

I-V-vi-iii-IV Progression Songs

IntermediateC - G - Am - Em - F

Extended pop progression with added color

"Basket Case"

Green Day (1994)

Key: F Major

FCDmAmBb

"Iris"

Goo Goo Dolls (1998)

Key: D Major

DABmF#mG

"When I Come Around"

Green Day (1994)

Key: F Major

FCDmAmBb

"3 AM"

Matchbox Twenty (1996)

Key: C Major

CGAmEmF

"Holiday"

Green Day (2004)

Key: F Minor

FmDbAbEb

"Otherside"

Red Hot Chili Peppers (1999)

Key: A Minor

AmFCG

How to Practice with Song Examples

Beginner Level

Start with these simple progressions

Focus on:

• I-IV-V
• I-V-vi-IV
• I-vi-IV-V

Practice Tips:

• Master open chords first (C, G, D, Em, Am)
• Practice smooth chord transitions
• Use a metronome starting at 60 BPM
• Strum on the beat initially

Intermediate Level

Add complexity and variation

Focus on:

• 12-bar blues
• ii-V-I
• I-bVII-IV

Practice Tips:

• Learn barre chord versions
• Add 7th chords for color
• Experiment with different strumming patterns
• Try fingerpicking arrangements

Advanced Level

Master sophisticated harmony

Focus on:

• Jazz standards
• Modal interchange
• Extended harmony

Practice Tips:

• Study chord substitutions
• Learn jazz voicings
• Practice in all 12 keys
• Analyze song structures

How to Analyze Songs

🎯 Identifying Progressions

1. Find the key of the song
2. Identify the chord changes
3. Convert to Roman numerals
4. Match to common patterns
5. Practice in different keys

🎸 Practice Strategy

1. Learn the basic progression
2. Master chord transitions
3. Add the melody or lyrics
4. Develop your strumming pattern
5. Make it your own style

Common Chord Substitutions in Songs

Basic Substitutions

• Major → maj7: C → Cmaj7 (adds color)
• Minor → m7: Am → Am7 (jazzy feel)
• V → V7: G → G7 (stronger resolution)
• I → Iadd9: C → Cadd9 (modern sound)
• IV → IVmaj7: F → Fmaj7 (sophisticated)

Advanced Substitutions

• V → bVII: G → Bb (modal interchange)
• I → iii: C → Em (relative substitution)
• ii → IV: Dm → F (subdominant family)
• V → vii°: G → Bdim (leading tone)
• I → vi: C → Am (deceptive motion)

Explore More Resources

Pop Progressions

Modern hit patterns

Blues Progressions

12-bar and beyond

Jazz Progressions

ii-V-I and standards

Rock Progressions

Power chord patterns

Folk Progressions

Traditional patterns

Music Theory

Understand the why

Start Learning These Songs Today!

Pick a progression category above and learn 5-10 songs that all use the same chord pattern. You'll be amazed how quickly your repertoire grows!

Learn Basic Chords First →Explore All Resources