I–V–IV–I in C Major

Pattern: I – V – IV – I Chords: C – G – F – C

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	C (details)	major	Tonic
V	G (details)	major	Dominant
IV	F (details)	major	Subdominant
I	C (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through C (Tonic) → G (Dominant) → F (Subdominant) → C (Tonic).

This circular progression leaves the tonic, peaks at the dominant, descends through the subdominant, and returns home. It creates a satisfying round-trip journey common in folk singalongs.

Song Examples

Country Roads — John Denver
Leaving on a Jet Plane — John Denver

Chord Details

C G F

More Progressions in C 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