Loops with I, IV, V, vi

Singer/Songwriter (Axis) Progression (I - V - vi - IV)

Loop Starting on Tonic

Rotations & Inversions

Hopscotch (IV – V – vi – I)

Doo Wop (I - vi - IV - V)

I - vi - V - IV

More Examples

Singer/Songwriter (Axis) Progression (I - V - vi - IV)

Backing Tracks:

In C Major
In F Major
In D Major
Loops from Pop Repertoire (see the "adding vi" category)

Loop Starting on Tonic

1) Lady Gaga, “The Edge of Glory,” chorus

From Born this Way (2011), words and music Stefani Germanotta, Fernando Garibay, Paul Blair

Audio: Youtube (1:02–1:37)

A E

I'm on the edge of glory

F#m D

And I'm hangin' on a moment of truth

A E

Out on the edge of glory

F#m D

And I'm hangin' on a moment with you

A E

I'm on the edge, the edge, the edge, the edge

F#m D

The edge, the edge, the edge

A E

I'm on the edge of glory

F#m D

And I'm hangin' on a moment with you

A

I'm on the edge with you

2) Bob Marely, “No Woman No Cry,” chorus

From Natty Dread (1974)

Audio: Youtube (0:30–1:09)

C G/B Am F

I remember when we used to sit

C G/B

In the government yard in

Am F

trenchtown

C G/B Am F

Observing the hypocrites

C G/B

Mingle with the good people we

Am F

meet

C G/B

Good friends we had

Am F

Good friends we lost

C G/B F Am

Along the way

C G/B

In this bright future

Am F

You can't forget your past

C G/B Am F

So dry your tears I say

3) Maroon 5, “She will be Loved,” chorus

From Song About Jane (2002)

Audio: Youtube (2:13–2:32)

C G

And she will be loved

Am F

She will be loved

C G

And she will be loved

Am F

And she will be loved

4) Journey, “Don't Stop Believin',” intro and verse

From Escape (1981)

Audio: Youtube (0:00-0:50)

E B

Just a small town girl

C#m A

living in a lonely world

E B

She took the midnight train

C#m A

going anywhere

E B

Just a city boy

C#m A

born and raised in South Detroit

E B

He took the midnight train going

C#m A

anywhere

5) Alicia Keys, “No One,” chorus

From As I Am (2007)

Audio: Youtube (1:05-1:27)

C G Am

No one no one no one

F

Can get in the way of what I'm feeling

C G Am

No one no one no one

F

Can get in the way of what I feel for

C G Am

you... you... you...

F

Can get in the way of what I feel for

C

you

6) Taylor Swift, “Love Story - You Belong with Me,” prechorus, chorus

From Fearless (2008), written by Liz Rose & Taylor Swift

Scores: Image (PC), Image (chorus), MuseScore, PDF
Audio: Youtube (0:47–1:23)
Student Note: The pre-chorus and chorus use different schemas. Identify each.

7) Adele, “Someone Like You,” chorus

From 21 (2011), written by Dan Wilson & Adele

Scores: Image, MuseScore, PDF
Audio: Youtube (1:12-1:50

8) Brandie Carlile, “The Story,” verse 1

From The Story (2007), written by Brandi Carlile

Audio: Youtube (0:09–0:50)

C

All of these lines across my face

G7

tell you the story of who I am

Am

So many stories of where I've been

F

and how I got to where I am

C G7

But these stories don't mean anything,

Am F

when you've got no one to tell them to

C G7 C

It's true, I was made for you

9) Diego Torres, “Un Poquito,” verse 1

From Atlántico a Pie (2021), written by Diego Torres, Jorge Luis Chacín, JonTheProducer, Yadam González, Oscar Hernández, Andrés Castro & Carlos Vives

Audio: Youtube (0:18–0:40)
Instructor Note: | I | V | vi | IV | (x2)

A E

No está de moda enamorarse

F#m

Ya nadie quiere ser sincero

D

Pero en ti yo encuentro Todo,

A

todo, todo lo que quiero

E

De febrero hasta febrero

F#m

Medellín o Buenos Aires

D

Cierro los ojos y pensarte

A

Se me ha vuelto inevitable

I V

No está de moda enamorarse

vi

Ya nadie quiere ser sincero

IV

Pero en ti yo encuentro Todo,

I

todo, todo lo que quiero

V

De febrero hasta febrero

vi

Medellín o Buenos Aires

IV

Cierro los ojos y pensarte

I

Se me ha vuelto inevitable

10) Ed Sheeran (ft. YEBBA), “Best Part of Me,” verse 2

From No. 6 Collaborations Projects (2019), written Ed Sheeran, Benny Blanco, Joe Rubel

Audio: YouTube (1:44–2:18)

D Asus4 Bm7 Gadd9

I overthink and still forgive

D Asus4 Bm7 Gadd9

I lose my phone and place my bets

D Asus4 Bm7 Gadd9 D

And I never catch the train on time, always 30 minutes behind

Asus4 Bm7 Gadd9

Your worries ain't seen nothin' yet

11) The Rolling Stones, “Beast of Burden,” verse 1

From Some Girls (1978), written Mick Jagger & Keith Richards

Audio: Youtube (0:39–0:57)

E B C#m A E B C#m A

I'll never be your beast of burden My back is broad but it's a hurting

E B C#m A E B C#m A

All I want is for you to make love to me

E B C#m A E B C#m A

I'll never be your beast of burden My back is broad but it's a hurting

E B C#m A E B C#m A

All I want is for you to make love to me

12) Benson Boone, “Beautiful Things,” prechorus

From the Fireworks & Rollerblades (2024), written by Benson Boone, Jack LaFrantz & Evan Blair

Scores: Image, MuseScore, PDF
Audio: Youtube (1:06–1:26)

13) Jason Mraz, “I'm Yours,” verse

From We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. (2008), written by Jason Mraz

Scores: Image, MuseScore, PDF
Audio: YouTube (0:18–0:45)

14) Pink, “Try,” chorus

From The Truth About Love (2012), written by Michael Busbee and Ben West

Scores: Image, MuseScore, PDF, Braille
Audio: YouTube (0:49–1:19)

Rotations & Inversions

This includes rotations of the Axis progression or minor variants of the pattern.

1) Rihanna, “Umbrella,” chorus

From Good Girl Gone Bad (2007), words and music Christopher Stewart, Terius Nash, Kuk Harrell, Shawn Carter

Audio: Youtube (0:56-1:18)

G♭

When the sun shines

D♭

We’ll shine together

A♭

Told you I'll be here forever

B♭m

Said I'll always be your friend

(B♭m) G♭

Took an oath, I'ma stick it out to the end

D♭

Now that it's raining more than ever

A♭

Know that we still have each other

Bbm

You can stand under my umbrella

G♭

You can stand under my umbrella

2) Beyonce, “If I Were a Boy,” verse

From I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008), words and music by Brittany Jean Carlson

Audio: Youtube (0:00-0:42)

3) Justin Bieber, “Ghost,” verse

From Justice (2021), written by Michael Pollack, Stefan Johnson, Jordan K. Johnson, Jon Bellion & Justin Bieber

Audio: Youtube (0:13-0:31)

Bm G D A

Youngblood thinks there's always tomorrow

Bm G D A

I miss your touch on nights when I'm hollow

Bm G D A

I know you crossed the bridge that I can't follow

4) AJR, “I'm Not Famous,” Pre-chorus & Chorus

From The Click (2017), written by Ryan Met, Jack Met & Adam Met

Audio: Youtube (0:41-1:06)

[Pre-Chorus]

C Dm B♭ F

Paparazzi is at an all time low

C Dm B♭ F

Paparazzi, they don't care where I go

[Chorus]

C Dm

Where my haters, where my haters

B♭ F

I don't got 'em, I'm not famous, no

C Dm B♭ F

C Dm

It don't matter what my name is

B♭ F

I don't got one, I'm not famous, no

5) One Republic, “Kids,” chorus

From Oh My My (2016), written by Brandon Collins, Steve Wilmot, Brent Kutzle & Ryan Tedder

Audio: Youtube (1:15-1:35)

G

Back when we were kids

Am F C

Swore we would never die

G

You and me were kids

Am F C

Swear that we’ll never die

6) Beyoncé, “I Was Here,” chorus

From 4 (2011), written by Diane Warren

Audio: Youtube (0:38-1:10)

Em C

I was here...

G D

I lived, I loved

Em C

I was here...

G D Em C

I did, I've done, everything that I wanted

G D Em

And it was more than I thought it would be

C G D

I will leave my mark so everyone will know

Em C

I was here...

7) Olivia Rodrigo & Joshua Bassett, “I Think I Kinda, You Know,” verse

From High School Musical (2020), written by Alan Zachary & Michael Weiner

Audio: Youtube (0:07-0:40)

Csus2 G/B
So much has happened, think of what we've done

Am7 Fsus2
In the time that the Earth has traveled 'round the Sun

Csus2 G/B
Winter, spring, summer an' we're back to fall

Am7 Fsus2
We've been together hand-in-hand through it all

Csus2 G/B
From the minute we kissed and my heart skipped a beat

Am7 Fsus2
To the night that we danced, I was swept off my feet

Csus2 G/B
Sure as every year has to come to an end

Am7 Fsus2
I'd go spinnin' 'round the Sun with you again and again and again and again

8) Mau y Ricky, “La Boca,” chorus

From Para Aventuras y Curiosidades (2019), written by Ricky Montaner, Mau Montaner, Tainy, Morelli, JonTheProducer & Camilo

Audio: Youtube (0:40–1:02)

Bm G D A
Que me muero por besarte la boca, mamá

Bm G D A
Hace tiempo que mi sueño e' volverla a probar

Bm G D A
porque bailas como nadie más sabe bailar

Bm G D A
Te pareces a la playa y las olas del mar.

9) Eminem (ft. Rihanna), “Love the Way You Lie,” chorus

From Recovery (2010), written by Skylar Grey, Eminem & Alex da Kid

Audio: Youtube (1:08-1:43)

Em C

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn,

G D

But that's alright because I like the way it hurts.

Em C

Just gonna stand there and hear me cry,

G D

But that's alright because I love the way you lie,

Em C

I love the way you lie

G D

I love the way you lie

10) Nightwish, “Amaranth,” chorus

From Dark Passion Play (2007), written by Tuomas Holopainen

Audio: Youtube (1:11-1:27)
Note: The schema repeats until the last two chords.

Dm B♭ F C Dm

Caress the one, the Never-Fading rain in your heart

B♭ F C

The tears of snow-white sorrow

Dm B♭ F

Caress the one, the hiding amaranth

C B♭ E♭

In a land of the daybreak

11) Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Don't Forget Me," verse

From By the Way (2002), written by Anthony Kiedis, Flea, John Frusciante & Chad Smith

Audio: Youtube (0:15–0:47)

A5 F5
I'm an ocean in your bedroom

C5 G5
Make you feel warm, make you wanna resume

A5 F5 C5 G5
Now we know it all for sure

A5 F5
I'm a dance hall, dirty breakbeat

C5 G5 A5
Make the snow fall up from underneath your feet

F5 C5 G5 A5
Not alone, I'll be there, tell me when you want to go

12) Benson Boone, “Beautiful Things,” verse 1

From the Fireworks & Rollerblades (2024), written by Benson Boone, Jack LaFrantz & Evan Blair

Scores: Image, MuseScore, PDF
Audio: Youtube (0:05–0:33)

13) Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero,” chorus

From Midnights (The Til Dawn Edition) (2023), written by Taylor Swift & Jack Antonoff

Scores: Image, MuseScore, PDF
Audio: Youtube (0:47–1:08)

14) Itzy, “Wannabe,” chorus

From It'z Me (2020), written by Galactika

Scores: Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (1:04–1:21)

15) Pink, “Try,” verse

From The Truth About Love (2012), written by Michael Busbee and Ben West

Scores: Image, MuseScore, Braille
Audio: YouTube (0:23–0:41)

16) Toto, “Africa,” chorus

From Toto IV (1982), written by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro

Audio: YouTube (1:08–1:35)

F#m D A E
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you

F#m D
There's nothing that a hundred men or

A E
more could ever do

F#m D A E
I bless the rains down in Africa

F#m D
Gonna take some time to do the

A C#m E F#m E/G# A
things we never had... ooh, ooh.

Hopscotch (IV – V – vi – I)

1) P!nk, "Who Knew," chorus

From I'm Not Dead (2006), written by Dr. Luke, Max Martin & P!nk

Audio: Youtube (0:47–1:23)

D E F#m7 A

If someone said three years from now you'd be long gone,

D E F#m7 A

I'd stand up and punch them out, cuz they're all wrong . . .

Dsus2 E F#m7 A

I know better, cuz you said forever,

Dsus2 E A

and ever . . . Who knew?

2) Taylor Swift, "Love Story - You Belong with Me"

From Fearless (2008), written by Liz Rose & Taylor Swift

Audio: Youtube (0:47–1:23)
Student Note: The pre-chorus and chorus use different schemas. Identify each.

[Pre-Chorus]

G A

That you were Romeo, you were throwing pebbles

Bm D

And my daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet"

G

And I was crying on the staircase

A Bm G A

Begging you please don't go, and I said

[Chorus]

D

Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone

A

I'll be waiting all there's left to do is run

Bm

You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess

G A D

It's a love story baby just say "yes"

3) Counting Crows, "Round Here," chorus

From August and Everything After (1993), written by Chris Roldan, Dan Jewett, Dave Janusko, David Bryson, Adam Duritz

Audio: Youtube (2:01–2:33)

C D Em G

Round here we're carving out our names

C D Em G

Round here we all look the same

C D

Round here we talk just like lions

Em G

But we sacrifice like lambs

4) Katy Perry, "E. T.," chorus

From Teenage Dream (2010), written by Katy Perry, Max Martin, Dr. Luke, Ammo

Audio: Youtube (1:39–2:07)

D♭ E♭

Kiss me, ki-ki-kiss me
Fm A♭

Infect me with your love and fill me with your poison

D♭ E♭

Take me, ta-ta-take me

Fm A♭

Wanna be your victim, ready for abduction

D♭ E♭

Boy, you're an alien

Fm A♭ D♭

Your touch, so foreign

E♭ Fm

It's supernatural

A♭

Extraterrestrial

5) Zedd, "Stay the Night," verse

From Clarity (2013), Zedd, Benjamin Eli Hanna, Hayley Williams, Carah Faye

Audio: Youtube (0:00–0:30)

D♭

I know that we are upside down

E♭ Fm A♭

So hold your tongue and hear me out

D♭

I know that we were made to break

E♭ Fm A♭

So what? I don't mind

D♭

You kill the lights, I'll draw the blinds

E♭ Fm A♭

Don't dull the sparkle in your eyes

D♭

I know that we were made to break

E♭ Fm A♭

So what? I don't mind

6) Lana Del Rey, "Young and Beautiful," chorus

From The Great Catsby: Music from Baz Luhrman's Film (2013), written by Rick Nowels & Lana Del Rey

Audio: Youtube (0:48–1:24)

G

Will you still love me

A Bm D

when I'm no longer young and beautiful

G

Will you still love me

A Bm D

when I got nothing but my aching soul

G A

I know you will, I know you will

Bm D

I know that you will

G

Will you still love me

A Bm

when I'm no longer beautiful

7) Rosé and Bruno Mars, “APT.,” chorus

Single (2024), written by Amy Allen, Bruno Mars, Chae Young Park, Christopher "Brody" Brown, Henry Walter, Michael Chapman, Nicholas Chinn, Omer Fedi, Phillip Lawrence, Rogét Chahayed, Theron Thomas

Scores: Image, MuseScore, PDF
Audio: Youtube (0:31–0:58)
Instructor Notes: | IV IV | vi I |

Doo Wop (I - vi - IV - V)

For songs that use the Doo Wop variant I - vi - ii - V, see the Chord Loop section “Adding ii & iii.”

Backing Track in G

In GM (Style 1)
In GM (Style 2)

1) Everly Brothers, “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” verse (mm. 9–16)

Single from (1958), words and music by Boudleaux Bryant

Score: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:11–0:30)

2) Alanis Morissette, “Head Over Feet,” chorus

From Jagged Little Pill (1995)

Audio: Youtube (0:35-53)

D Bm G A

You've already won me over, in spite of me

D Bm B♭ A

Don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet

D Bm G A

And don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are

3) Go West, “King of Wishful Thinking,” verse

From Indian Summer (1992), written by Peter Cox, Richard Drummie & Martin Page.

Audio: Youtube (0:29–0:47)

Am F G C

I don't need, to fall at your feet

Am F G C

Just cause you cut me to the bone

Am F G C

And I won't miss, the way that you kiss me

Am F G C

We were never carved in stone

4) Lady Gaga, “Million Reasons,” verse

From Joanne (2016), written by Hillary Lindsey, Mark Ronson, Lady Gaga

Audio: Youtube (0:13–0:45)

C

You're giving me a million reasons to let you go

Am

You're giving me a million reasons to quit the show

F

You're givin' me a million reasons

Give me a million reasons

G

Givin' me a million reasons

About a million reasons

C

If I had a highway, I would run for the hills

Am

If you could find a dryway, I'd forever be still

F

But you're giving me a million reasons

Give me a million reasons

G

Givin' me a million reasons

About a million reasons

5) Sam Cooke, “Wonderful World,” verse

From The Wonderful world of Sam Cooke (1960), written by Sam Cooke, Lou Adler & Herb Alpert

Audio: Youtube (0:03–0:19)

G Em

Don't know much about history,

C D

Don't know much biology.

G Em

Don't know much about a science book,

C D

Don't know much about the French I took.

6) Whitney Houston, “I Will Always Love You,” chorus

From the film, The Bodyguard (1992), written by Dolly Parton.

Audio: Youtube (1:46–2:10)

A F#m D E

And I________ will always

A F#m D E A

Love you, you, I, will always love you

7) Taylor Swift, “The Best Day,” verse, chorus

From Fearless (2008), written by Taylor Swift

Audio: Youtube (0:46–1:18)
Note: The chorus uses the standard form of the schema. The chorus uses a variation. How is the progression varied?

[Verse]

D♭ B♭m

I'm five years old

G♭ A♭

It's getting cold, got my big coat on

D♭ B♭m

I hear your laugh

G♭ A♭

And look up at smilin at you, I run and run

D♭ B♭m

Past the pumpkin patch

G♭ A♭

And the tractor rides, Look now, the sky is gold

D♭ B♭m

I hug your legs

G♭ A♭

And fall asleep on the way home

[Chorus]

G♭ A♭ D♭ Fm/C B♭m

I don't know why all the trees change in the fall

G♭ A♭ D♭ Fm/C B♭m

But I know you're not scared of anything at all

G♭ A♭ D♭ Fm/C B♭m

Don't know if Snow White's house is near or far away

G♭ A♭ D♭

But I know I had the best day with you today

8) Kristin Chenoweth & Idina Menzel, “Defying Gravity,” chorus

From the musical Wicked (2003), music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Scores: Image, MuseScore (full score with piano)
Audio: Youtube (1:51–2:06)

9) Backstreet Boys, “As Long As You Love Me,” verse (mm. 9–16)

From Backstreet Boys (1997), words and music by Martin Sandberg

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:25–0:45)

10) Avril Lavigne, “Complicated,” verse

From Let Go (2002), words and music by Avril Lavigne, Lauren Christy, Scott Spock, and Graham Edwards

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
With Accompaniment: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:32–0:56)

11) Meghan Trainor, “Dear Future Husband,” chorus

From Title (2015), written by Kevin Kadish & Meghan Trainor

Scores: MuseScore, Image, PDF
Audio: Youtube (0:58–1:22)

12) Jay Chou, “青花瓷 Blue and White Porcelain,” verse mm 5–12

From On the Run! (2007), written by Kevin Kadish & Meghan Trainor

Scores: MuseScore, Image, PDF
Audio: Youtube (0:19–0:58)

12) Chappell Roan, “Good Luck, Babe!,” verse 1

From CR2* (2025), written by Chappell Roan, Justin Tranter & Dan Nigro

Scores: MuseScore, Image, PDF
Audio: Youtube (0:10–0:29)

13) Enrique Iglesias, “Hero,” verse

From Escape (2001), written by Enrique Iglesias, Paul Barry, and Mark Taylor

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:35–1:02)

14) Justin Bieber, “Baby,” chorus

From My World 2.0 (2010), words and music by Justin Bieber, Christopher Stewart, Christine Flores, Christopher Bridges, and Terius Nash

Scores: PDF, Image, MuseScore
With Accompaniment: PDF, Image, MuseScore
Audio: Youtube (0:45–0:59)

I - vi - V - IV

1) Ed Sheeran, “Photograph,” verse

From x (2015), written by Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Martin Harrington, and Tom Leonard

Audio: YouTube (0:15–0:52)
Harmonic Rhythm:
|E|E|C#m|C#m|B|B|A|A| (x2)

E

Loving can hurt

C#m

Loving can hurt sometimes

B A

But it's the only thing that I know

E

When it gets hard

C#m

You know it can get hard sometimes

B A

It is the only thing that makes us feel alive

2) Lana Del Rey, “Never Let Me Go,” chorus

Single (2012), written by Steven Mertens & Lana Del Rey

Audio: YouTube (0:54–1:24)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| G | Em | D | C | (x2)

G

If you love me hardcore, then don't walk away,

Em

It's a game boy, I don't wanna play,

D

I just wanna be yours, like I always say,

C

Never let me go.

G

Boy, we're in a world war, let's go all the way,

Em

Play your four-to-the floor, will you walk my way?

D

Tell me that you need me more and more every day,

C G

Never let me go, just stay.

3) Pink, “Don't Let Me Get Me,” chorus

From Missundaztood (2001), written by Pink and Dallas Austin

Audio: YouTube (0:32–0:55)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| E♭| Cm | B♭| A♭| (x3)

E♭

I’m a hazard to myself…

Cm

don’t let me get me,

B♭ A♭

I’m my own worst enemy

E♭

it’s bad when you annoy yourself…

Cm

So irritating,

B♭ A♭

don’t wanna be my friend no more

E♭

I wanna be somebody else…

Cm B♭ A♭

I wanna be somebody else…

4) Kate Bush, “Suspended in Gaffa,” chorus

From The Dreaming (1982), written by Kate Bush

Audio: YouTube (0:49–1:13)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| C | Am | G | F | (x3)

C Am

Suddenly my feet are feet of mud.

G F

It all goes slow-mo

C Am

I don't know why I'm crying.

G F

Am I suspended in gaffa?

C Am

Not until I'm ready for you

G F

Not until I'm ready for you

Can I have it all?

5) James Taylor, “Mexico,” chorus

From Gorilla (1975), written by James Taylor

Audio: YouTube (0:32–0:46)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| F# D#m | C# B | (x3)

F# D#m C# B

Oh, Mexico

F# D#m C# B

It sounds so simple I just got to go

F# D#m C# B

The sun's so hot I forgot to go home

6) Spin Doctors, “Two Princes,” chorus

From Pocket Full of Kryptonite (1992), written by Mark White, Eric Schenkman, Chris Barron, and Aaron Comess

Audio: YouTube (1:21–1:40)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| D Bm| A G | (x4)
Note: The same progression is used in the verses.

D Bm A

Said if you want to call me baby

G

(Just go ahead, now)

D Bm A

And if you like to tell me maybe

G

(Just go ahead, now)

D Bm A

If you wanna buy me flowers

G

(Just go ahead, now)

D Bm A

And if you like to talk for hours

G

(Just go ahead, now)

7) Lady Gaga, “Million Reasons,” chorus

From Joanne (2016), written by Hillary Lindsey, Mark Ronson & Lady Gaga

Audio: YouTube (1:34–2:02)
Harmonic Rhythm: | F | C | Am| G| (x3)
| F | F | C | C |

F C Am

I bow down to pray

G

I try to make the worst seem better

F C Am

Lord, show me the way

G

To cut through all his worn out leather

F C Am G

I've got a hundred million reasons to walk away

F C

But baby, I just need one good one to stay

8) Bastille, “Pompeii,” verse, prechorus

From Bad Blood (2013), written by Dan Smith

Audio: YouTube (0:31–1:02)
Harmonic Rhythm: | D | A | F#m7| V| (x2)
| D | A | F#m| V| (x2)

D A F#m7 E

I was left to my own de-v-i-c-e-s

D A F#m7 E

Many days fell away with nothing to show

D A

And the walls kept tumbling down

F#m E

In the city that we l-o-v-e-d

D A

Great clouds roll over the hills

F#m E

Bringing darkness from a-b-o-v-e

9) Tracy Chapman, “Fast Car,” verse 1

From Tracy Chapman (1988), written by Tracy Chapman

Audio: YouTube (0:21–1:02)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| Dmaj7 A | F#m Eadd4| (x4)

Dmaj7 A

You got a fast car.

F#m Eadd4

I want a ticket to anywhere.

Dmaj7 A

Maybe we make a deal,

F#m Eadd4

Maybe together we can get somewhere.

Dmaj7 A

Any place is better.

F#m Eadd4

Starting from zero, got nothing to lose.

Dmaj7 A

Maybe we'll make something,

F#m Eadd4

Me myself, I got nothing to prove.

10) Muse, “Mercy,” verse

From Drones (2015), written by Matt Bellamy

Audio: YouTube (0:16–0:47)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| C | G | Em | D | (x4)

C G Em D

Help me, I’ve fallen on the inside

C G Em D

I tried to change the game, I tried to infiltrate

C G

But now I'm losing, men in cloaks

Em D

Always seem to run the show

C G

Save me from the ghosts and shadows

Em D

Before they eat my soul

11) Maroon 5, “Payphone,” chorus

From Overexposed (2012), written by Ben Levin, Ammar Malik, Dan Omelio, and Shellback

Audio: YouTube (0:51–1:27)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| E| B | G#m7| F#| (x4)

E B

I’m at a payphone trying to call home

G#m7 F#

All of my change I spent on you

E

Where have the times gone

B

Baby it’s all wrong,

G#m7 F#

where are the plans we made for two?

E B

If happy ever after did exist

G#m7 F#

I would still be holding you like this

E B

All those fairy tales are full of it

G#m7 F#

One more stupid love song I’ll be sick

12) Taylor Swift, “The Great War,” chorus

From Midnights (2022), written by Taylor Swift & Aaron Dessner

Audio: YouTube (0:39–1:02)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| E♭ | B♭| Gm | F |(x2)

E♭

All that blood shed, crimson clover

B♭

Uh-huh, sweet dream was over

Gm F

My hand was the one you reached for

E♭

All throughout the Great War

B♭

Always remember, uh-huh, tears on the lettеr.

Gm F

I vowed not to cry anymore

E♭

If we survived thе Great War

13) Lizzy McAlpine, “Apple Pie,” chorus

From Give Me a Minute (2020), written by Lizzy McAlpine

Audio: YouTube (2:22–2:39)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| Gm | F | E♭ | B♭ | (x3)

Gm F

Every house looks the same

E♭ B♭

in my dreams,

Gm F

Every house feels like home

E♭ B♭

for a couple weeks,

Gm F

I been runnin round tryna to find a

E♭ B♭

place where I can breathe,

14) Shawn Mendes, “Treat You Better,” chorus

From Illuminate (2016), written by Shawn Mendes, Teddy Geiger, and Scott Harris

Audio: YouTube (0:56–1:21)
Harmonic Rhythm:
| B♭m| A♭| G♭|D♭| (x4)

B♭m A♭

I know I can treat you better

G♭ D♭

Than he can

B♭m A♭ G♭ D♭

And any girl like you deserves a gentleman

B♭m

Tell me why are we wasting time

A♭

On all on your wasted cryin'

G♭ D♭

When you should be with me instead

B♭m A♭

I know I can treat you better

G♭

Better than he can

More Examples

Rosenberg, From Rock Music to Theory Pedagogy, Appendix C (includes a list of popular music using I-V-vi-IV and vi-IV-I-V)
Yale Musical Examples Database: See the "Harmonic Progressions" tab at the bottom.
Scott Lipscomb, "12 -Bar Blues Songs," History and Styles of Rock
Scott Lipscomb, Songs with the "I-vi-IV-V Progression," History and Styles of Rock
See the list of examples of the Doo-Wop Progression on Wikipedia here.