A few stand out as being particularly prevalent when it comes to the most famous chord changes in today’s rock music. Here are 15 of the most commonly used chord changes in today’s rock music:
- I-V-vi-IV – This chord progression is often called the “50s progression” and is used in countless songs, including “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond and “Let it Be” by The Beatles.
- ii-V-I – This chord progression is often used in jazz music, but it’s also commonly found in rock songs like “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey.
- I-vi-IV-V – This chord progression is often referred to as the “pop-punk progression” and is used in many pop-punk and punk rock songs such as “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World.
- I-vi-iii-IV – This chord progression is often called the “sentimental progression” and is used in many songs that evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing, such as “Wonderwall” by Oasis.
- I-vi-V-IV – This chord progression is often called the “four chord progression” and is used in many pop and rock songs, such as “Living on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi.
- I-vi-vi-V-IV-I-V – This chord progression is often called the “eight chord progression” and is used in many pop and rock songs, such as “Summer of ’69” by Bryan Adams.
- I-V-vi-iii-IV-I-V – This chord progression is often called the “seven chord progression” and is used in many pop and rock songs, such as “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic.
- iii-vi-ii-V-I – This chord progression is often called the “jazz progression” and is used in many jazz and rock songs, such as “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers.
- ii-V-I-vi – This chord progression is often called the “rock progression” and is used in many rock songs, such as “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin.
- ii-V-I-vi-IV-V – This chord progression is often called the “blues progression” and is used in many blues and rock songs, such as “Sweet Home Chicago” by Robert Johnson
- iii-vi-ii-V-I-vi – This chord progression is often called the “jazz-rock progression” and is used in many jazz-rock and rock songs, such as “All Along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix.
- ii-V-I-vi-IV-V-I – This chord progression is often called the “rock-blues progression” and is used in many rock and blues songs, such as “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen.
- iii-vi-ii-V-I-vi-IV-V – This chord progression is often called the “jazz-rock-blues progression” and is used in many jazz-rock and rock-blues songs, such as “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen.
- I-vi-IV-V – This chord progression is often called the “pop progression” and is used in many pop and rock songs, such as “Happy Birthday” by Stevie Wonder.
- I-vi-vi-V-IV-I-V-V – This chord progression is often called the “eight-chord progression.”