I–V–IV in F Major

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

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

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

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