I–III–iv–VI progression
The I–III–iv–VI progression is a common chord progression that's used in many songs across several genres of music. If it would be played in A minor, for example, it would be: A–C–D–F. This progression is often found along with (or only in the form of) similar variations, including:
- I–III–iv–III
- I–III–iv–VII
- I–III–iv–I
- I–III–iv–V
- I–iv–III–VI
- I–III–VI–iv
- I–III–VII–VI
History
The I–III–iv–VI progression most likely finds its origin in the chord progressions that were, for the first time significantly used in Blues. The basic Blues progression after all is: I–I–I–I–iv–iv–I–I–V–iv–I–I, which mostly consists of the same chords as the I–III–iv–VI progression.
The first notable use of this progression was in the 1960s, when Rock bands and musicians began experimenting with the chords used in Blues (and therefore in Rock 'N Roll) songs, by arranging them into this new progression scheme, changing the chords to minor scale and by adding the for-that-time unusual VI chord to it. It's also good to notice that this movement in pop music happened in connection to the increased use of power chords.
These developments of chord progressions including the I–III–iv–VI progression have made a huge impact on the way we compose music for the past ~50 years and has entirely revolutionised how all kinds of pop music sound from then up to this day. It became the standard of the 1960s and 1970s mainstream rock music. Songs using this new style of composition have dominated the radio top charts ever since and still do nowadays.
Almost every modern House track makes use of this 1960s composition style where all chords are played in a relative A minor scale. Most of today's music thay uses the I–III–iv–VI progression along with its variations consists of Progressive Big Room House and Electro House.
Examples
Songs that make use of the I–III–iv–VI progression include:
- Avicii – Addicted To You
- Gwen Stefani ft. Akon – The Sweet Escape
- Daft Punk – Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
- Martin Garrix – Registration Code
- Ansol & Dyro – Top Of The World
- Sander van Doorn & Julian Jordan – Kangaroo
- The Breakz - Let's Go
- Blondie - Call Me
There are also a lot of songs that use the variations of this progression. (Most likely even more than there are songs that use the exact progression). These songs include:
- Robbie Williams – Let Me Entertain You
- U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday
- Swedish House Mafia – Save The World
- Avicii – Levels
- Pitbull ft. Kesha – Timber
- DVBBS – Raveheart