The I–IV–V–IV chord progression

Three-chord rock. The backbone of rock and roll.

Quick answer

I–IV–V–IV in A major is A D E D.

Key

What the I–IV–V–IV progression sounds like

The backbone of rock and roll. In A major it's A D E D.

Heard in: Louie Louie uses I IV v IV (The Kingsmen).

You'll find it in Rock songwriting.

Scales that fit I–IV–V–IV

Over this progression in A, the best-fitting scales are A Major (Ionian), D Lydian, A Mixolydian. Put your own chords into the scale finder to see more.

I–IV–V–IV in every key

The I–IV–V–IV progression in all 12 major keys
Key	Chords
C major	C F G F
G major	G C D C
D major	D G A G
A major	A D E D
E major	E A B A
B major	B E F# E
F# major	F# B C# B
Db major	Db Gb Ab Gb
Ab major	Ab Db Eb Db
Eb major	Eb Ab Bb Ab
Bb major	Bb Eb F Eb
F major	F Bb C Bb

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Common questions

What are the chords in the I–IV–V–IV progression?

In A major the I–IV–V–IV progression is A D E D. The pattern is the same in every key; the table above lists all 12.

What scale goes with I–IV–V–IV?

In A, the A Major (Ionian) fits best. D Lydian and A Mixolydian add different colors.

Last updated November 14, 2026.