I–V–IV–I in E Major

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

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

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

E B A

More Progressions in E 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