I–IV–I–V in A Major

Pattern: I – IV – I – V Chords: A – D – A – E

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	A (details)	major	Tonic
IV	D (details)	major	Subdominant
I	A (details)	major	Tonic
V	E (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through A (Tonic) → D (Subdominant) → A (Tonic) → E (Dominant).

This progression swings from tonic to subdominant, returns home, and then lifts to the dominant. The return to I in the middle provides a strong grounding effect before the dominant creates forward motion.

Song Examples

La Bamba — Ritchie Valens
Louie Louie — The Kingsmen

Chord Details

A D E

More Progressions in A Major

I–IV–V–I I–V–vi–IV I–vi–IV–V ii–V–I I–IV–V I–♭VII–IV vi–IV–I–V I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V I–IV I–V IV–V IV–I