I–V–vi–IV–I–V in C Major

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

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

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

The I–V–vi–IV–I–V extends the ubiquitous pop progression by adding a resolution and reopening with the dominant. This six-chord cycle creates a longer phrase that breathes and resets, ideal for verse-chorus structures that need more harmonic real estate.

Song Examples

With or Without You — U2
Counting Stars — OneRepublic

Chord Details

C G Am 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