100+ songs you can play with just 4 chords

A 4-chord song is built around a repeating progression of four chords. These songs are popular across many genres because they create a strong, familiar sound that’s easy to play and instantly catchy. This also makes them perfect songs for beginners.

The most famous 4-chord progression is:

I – V – vi – IV

It follows a specific pattern based on scale degrees in a given key:

• I (1st chord) – The tonic (home chord) of the key.

• V (5th chord) – Creates tension and wants to resolve back to the tonic.

• vi (6th chord, minor) – A relative minor chord that adds emotional depth.

• IV (4th chord) – A smooth, resolving transition before returning to I.

For example, the chord progression in C Major would be: C – G – Am – F.

What makes I – V – vi – IV special?

This progression works so well because it creates a natural push and pull between tension and resolution, making it incredibly satisfying to our ears. That’s why it has become one of the most used chord sequences in pop, rock, and countless other genres, serving as the backbone of some of the biggest hit songs ever written.

If you need proof of just how common it is, check out Axis of Awesome’s viral "4 Chord Song" video, where they seamlessly switch between dozens of famous tracks using this exact progression. The video was so persuasive, in fact, that Ed Sheeran’s legal team even used it as evidence in his Thinking Out Loud vs. Let’s Get It On copyright trial to illustrate just how frequently this progression appears in popular music.

So, if you want to play hundreds of songs easily, all you need to do is learn four chords!

► ARTMASTER TIP: For tips on how to play different chords, check out our articles — How to play any guitar chord and How to play all piano chords.

Which specific four chords you play in this sequence depends on the key you’re in. This is what I – V – vi – IV looks like in the key of C major:

C – G – Am – F on guitar & piano

As you can see, on the piano all of these chords are built from white keys only, making them easy to pick up for beginners.

On guitar, however, some of these chords — especially F major — can be trickier for beginners due to barre chord techniques. To make things easier, we can transpose the progression to G major (G – D – Em – C).

So, give it a try! Practise this progression a few times, and you’ll quickly get the hang of it. Once you’re comfortable switching between these four chords, you’ll be well on your way to playing some iconic songs, many of which you probably already know!

► ARTMASTER TIP: If you are a beginner, try playing these four chords along to our free metronome at a slow, steady tempo to build confidence and accuracy. Start with downstrokes only on guitar or simple block chords on piano.

Many of the biggest hits in pop, rock, and even EDM use this simple four-chord progression, making it one of the most recognizable patterns in modern music. So, once you have this simple chord progression down, you can instantly try playing these songs!

Pop hits

Rock / Alternative / Indie

Classic Rock & Oldies

Country & Folk

EDM & Dance

Soundtracks & Disney

But these four chords don’t just work in this order. Another popular progression is vi–IV–I–V (Am – F – C – G in C Major), which gives songs a slightly different emotional feel while still using the same fundamental chords.

► ARTMASTER TIP: "Let It Be" by The Beatles is one of the most iconic four-chord songs, and it's perfect for beginners. If you want a detailed guide on how to play it on piano, including a free tutorial and other song tips, take a look at Beginner-friendly songs to learn on piano. You can also try out David Bennett's 'Piano for Beginners' course for free,, designed to get you playing simple songs fast without having to read music.

This four-chord progression flips the order, creating a slightly more melancholic but powerful sound. It's widely used in pop, rock, and indie music.

Here is the simplest way to play it on guitar.Pop hits

Rock & Alternative

Alternative & Indie

EDM & Dance

While the I – V – vi – IV and vi – IV – I – V seem to dominate modern pop and rock music, there are several other combinations of these four chords that have been the basis of classsic songs, creating unique moods.

I – IV – V – I progression

This chord sequence is one of the most foundational in music history, forming the backbone of rock ‘n’ roll, blues, and early pop. It creates a strong sense of resolution, making it ideal for both verses and choruses.

Songs using I – IV – V – I

• I Love Rock 'n' Roll – Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

• Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry

• La Bamba – Ritchie Valens

• Louie Louie – The Kingsmen

• Twist and Shout – The Beatles

I – vi – IV – V progression

Known as the “50s progression” or “Doo-wop progression,” this four-chord sequence was incredibly popular in the 1950s and 1960s, creating a romantic, nostalgic feel. It remains widely used in ballads and pop songs today.

Songs using I – vi – IV – V

• Stand by Me – Ben E. King

• Blue Moon – Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart

• Unchained Melody – The Righteous Brothers

• Earth Angel – The Penguins

• I Will Always Love You – Dolly Parton

IV – I – V – vi progression

This progression flips the traditional order, creating a smooth, flowing harmonic movement. It's often used in modern pop and electronic music for its catchy but slightly less predictable sound.

Songs using IV – I – V – vi

• Dragostea Din Tei – O-Zone

• Good Life – OneRepublic

• Demons – Imagine Dragons

• Like a Prayer – Madonna

• Farmhouse – Phish

vi – I – V – IV progression

This minor-starting progression shifts emotional weight towards melancholy and introspection, often leading into powerful choruses. It's commonly found in alternative rock, pop-punk, and emotional ballads.

Songs using vi – I – V – IV

• The Artist in the Ambulance – Thrice

• Hall of Fame – The Script feat. will.i.am

• Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol

• The Kids Aren’t Alright – The Offspring

• What About Now – Lonestar

Learning a chord progression in one key is great, but what if the song is too high or too low for your voice? Or what if you want to play along with a recording that’s in a different key?

Transposing lets you shift a chord progression to a different key, making it easier to sing or play along with recordings while keeping the same musical feel.

Transposing the I–V–vi–IV progression

• C Major: C – G – Am – F

• G Major (up a perfect fifth): G – D – Em – C

• A Major (down for a lower vocal range): A – E – F#m – D

Transposing chord progressions on guitar

A quick way to change key without learning new chord shapes is using a capo. Placing a capo on the fretboard raises the pitch, allowing you to play the same shapes while shifting the song into a higher key.

► ARTMASTER TIP: To find alternative ways of playing the same chord on guitar, use our free interactive chord finder.

If you're looking for easy songs to start playing on guitar or piano, our beginner courses and guides are a great place to begin:

🎸 10 acoustic guitar songs every beginner should learn – This list features classic and modern acoustic guitar songs that are perfect for beginners. You’ll get tips on chord transitions, strumming patterns, and even a free video tutorial to help you play along.

🎹 10 beginner-friendly songs to learn on piano – These 10 easy piano songs are great for beginners, with clear guidance on chord progressions, hand placement, and rhythm. Plus, there’s a step-by-step tutorial on Let It Be by The Beatles to help you get started.

💡 Tip: Start slow, focus on smooth transitions, and enjoy the process—playing songs is the best way to learn! 🎶

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