I–iii–IV–V in A Major

Pattern: I – iii – IV – V Chords: A – C♯m – D – E

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	A (details)	major	Tonic
iii	C♯m (details)	minor	Mediant
IV	D (details)	major	Subdominant
V	E (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through A (Tonic) → C♯m (Mediant) → D (Subdominant) → E (Dominant).

The iii chord acts as a smooth stepping stone between I and IV, adding a touch of minor color. This creates an elegant, ascending quality that works beautifully in ballads and mid-tempo songs.

Song Examples

Every Breath You Take — The Police
Grow Old with Me — John Lennon

Chord Details

A C♯m D E

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