I–V–IV–I in F Major

Pattern: I – V – IV – I Chords: F – C – B♭ – F

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through F (Tonic) → C (Dominant) → B♭ (Subdominant) → F (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

F C B♭

More Progressions in F 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