I–♭VII–IV–I in E Major

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

Chord Breakdown

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

Harmonic Analysis

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

E D A

More Progressions in E 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