I–iii–IV–V in C Major

Pattern: I – iii – IV – V Chords: C – Em – F – G

Chord Breakdown

Numeral	Chord	Type	Function
I	C (details)	major	Tonic
iii	Em (details)	minor	Mediant
IV	F (details)	major	Subdominant
V	G (details)	major	Dominant

Harmonic Analysis

This progression moves through C (Tonic) → Em (Mediant) → F (Subdominant) → G (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

C Em F G

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