I–V–IV in A Major

Pattern: I – V – IV Chords: A – E – D

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

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

The I–V–IV progression reverses the classic IV–V approach, moving from the dominant back down to the subdominant. This creates a laid-back, anthemic quality that defines classic rock.

Song Examples

Sweet Home Alabama — Lynyrd Skynyrd
Margaritaville — Jimmy Buffett

Chord Details

A E D

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