21 Songs that use Pachelbel's Canon chord progression

Whether in its original form, or with slight adjustment, the chord progression used throughout Johann Pachelbel's "Canon in D" has been repurposed into numerous pop songs, and Peter Waterman even claims that Canon is "the godfather of all pop music".

And, an extra special thanks goes to Douglas Lind, Vidad Flowers, Ivan Pang, Waylon Fairbanks, Jon Dye, Austin Russell, Christopher Ryan, Toot & Paul Peijzel, the channel’s Patreon saints! 😇

0:00 Introduction
1:01 Examples
3:08 Variations on the progression
6:27 Why is it so popular?

[videosefilmes]

Never would I thought I'd see Rick Astley and the Soviet national anthem in the same video

[benjaminprietop]

never would've guessed that the USSR anthem had the same chords as Pachelbel's Canon, great video

[melickon]

Maroon 5 not only following chord progression, but also using Pachelbel melody

[jeffyracks]

I love how Hook by Blues Traveler is literally about how this chord progression is overused, “if I’m feeling stuck, and need a buck, I don’t rely on luck because the hook brings you back.” And then it became their most popular song

[annevcz]

Cool, now I will never unhear Pachelbel's Canon in the Russian anthem.

[violinscratcher]

This progression is much older than Pachelbel‘s canon. It is mentioned in a treatise from 1480 „De praeceptis artis musicae“ by Guilielmus Monachus. It is discribed as a parallel motion of thirds (basically the beginning of Pachelbel‘s canon) with added base notes to complete the chords. It was always a beloved progression for improvisation. As said the traditionel name is Romanesca. It exsits a minor version of that progression which is called la Folia, e.g. the famous Sarabande by Händel.

[tzoreehandler]

From this video I assume that both The Beatles and Radiohead have never had a song using Pachelbel's Canon chord progression.

[HDvb]

Mind blown because I finally have an explanation for why, as a non-music-theorist, sometimes I whistle one of my favourite pop or rock songs, I find myself transitioning to Pachelbel's Cannon without realising.

[leonardohonorato]

i love the fact that "laddies and gentlemen" uses not only the pachelbel's canon chord progression, but they managed to sing "can't help falling in love" from Elvis Presley too. Thats works so nice to me

[PuppetMasterIX]

3:21 "Hook" by Blues Traveler is my favorite use of this progression, since it's used specifically in service of the song's message. Lyrically, the song itself is a satirical critique on the state of pop radio at the time - in particular, how many songs were either overly formulaic, undervalued meaningful or even coherent lyrical content, or were blatantly made just for a paycheck. They use Pachelbel's Canon as the base progression because, by 1994, it was so frequently used in popular music that it was reputed in songwriting circles as cliché, a fallback for those who treated easy-listening pop music as a business.

[Pedro_Larroza]

10:07 David manages to rickroll us while staying in theme. Sweet.

[lorenzogumier]

Classic music has so much to teach to everybody, especially to those who dislike it.

[johnmortison]

In the Renaissance and Baroque periods, there were many pieces that were essentially increasingly complex variations on a tune played over a "ground" bass line, usually a four bar chord progression. Many of these progressions became famous and had names (Romanesca being one). Yes, they are repetitive, but they provided a formal structure over which the composer (or performer) could display their talents and were very popular.

[chiregio]

OMG.... my tears are running after I watched your video ! I've listening to the Pachelbel's Canon since I was, 15, 16 yo, now I am 64, and this description really warms up my heart. I will just add, as a humble contribution, that there are two songs that are really inspired on the Canon : "Le temps de vivre" by French Singer Georges Moustaki, and "Find a way to my heart" by Phil Collins. David..THANK's for this AWESOME VIDEO....

[eli-shulga]

These chord progression videos are pure gold. Adding all of these to a playlist for messing around later.
Your channel is an incredible help - Thanks

[gamersplanet]

The most beautiful chord progression I’ve ever heard.

[shandya]

The transition from Russian Anthem to Go West is so satisfying and somehow predictable haha

[robinfinetto]

National Anthem of the USSR transitioning into Go West was hilarious

[cherrysunburst]

There's a reason it's so popular, it's one of the greatest chord progressions ever

[rjpiercy]

Hello David. I played this on violin decades ago (I am very old). What I found interesting is how it relates to the elements of the circle of 5ths. D to A, then the relative minor of both; Bm to F#m, then G to D, then resolving back with G to A to start the 8 bars again. Really have been enjoying your discussions of music theory and how it is applied in western (and sometimes eastern) music from different eras. Really good content. Thank you.