I–♭VII–IV–I in B♭ Major

Pattern: I – ♭VII – IV – I Chords: B♭ – A♭ – E♭ – B♭

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	B♭ (details)	major	Tonic
♭VII	A♭ (details)	major	Subtonic
IV	E♭ (details)	major	Subdominant
I	B♭ (details)	major	Tonic

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through B♭ (Tonic) → A♭ (Subtonic) → E♭ (Subdominant) → B♭ (Tonic).

The I–♭VII–IV–I turnaround chains two plagal cadences together, descending by fourths from the borrowed ♭VII through IV back to the tonic. This plagal double descent avoids dominant harmony entirely, giving it a modal, earthy quality. It is a signature pattern in Britpop and classic rock.

Song Examples

Hey Jude (coda) — The Beatles
All Along the Watchtower — Jimi Hendrix

Chord Details

B♭ A♭ E♭

More Progressions in B♭ 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