Songs that use the 1 3 6 4 chord progression

What I would call the "She's Electric" or "Second Dominant Axis progression", this progression is really quite common across many styles of pop and rock.

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

0:00 I - III - vi - IV
1:02 Examples
2:39 Variations
3:40 Pianote
4:20 Secondary Dominant
7:32 Patreon

[bryztoe]

When I heard the progression the first song that came to mind was “All my favourite songs” and I couldn’t believe when he played it!

I think this is the first time I’ve recognised a song from its chord progression alone

[petergivenbless]

Philip Glass uses a lot of chord progressions where, in close voicing with inversions, he shifts between chords by moving one or two notes in each triad a semitone (up or down, in similar or contrary motion) to the next.

"I III vi IV" reminds me of a progression he has used in a number of pieces (most notably the second movement of the 'Tirol' Piano Concerto and 'Truman Sleeps'/'Setting the Sail' from 'The Truman Show', as well as a couple of his Piano Etudes) but starting on "vi", to go "vi VI I III", which translates into minor as "i VI III V" (translating "vi" to "i") so, instead of "C E a F" in C major, he uses "a F C E" in A minor (with voice leading: "ACE ACF GCE G# BE" - and moving the E down to D briefly to further bring us back to A minor with a transitional "g#°" (G# min dim)).

[jtwashere]

These "songs with the, ... chord progression" videos are amazing. You have a way of explaining the theory behind it in the most illuminating way. Thank you!

[Producelikeapro]

I've got to say David I am addicted to your videos! Easily the best out there! Thanks ever so much for the incredible work and the straightforward way you present it. Many thanks, Warren

[Zuringa]

After 68 years on this planet, I finally learned what a chord progression is from you. I know nothing about music, yet listening to it has been the love of my life, but there is a chord progression I've heard in some songs that I desperately want to learn about. It melts my heart every time I hear it. John Mayer uses it in his song I guess I just fee like, and it happens 7 to 8 seconds into the guitar solo. It feels like it plunges you into the depths of sorrow, but then the following chords gradually pull you back up from there.

[gwalla]

One interesting thing I noticed about the use of the IV-iv plagal sigh with this progression is that the chromatic note in iv is enharmonic to the one in III: in C, III (E major) contains a G♯, while iv (F minor) contains A♭. So there's a nice consistency there, which may make it easier to come up with a melody (or when writing a melody in the I-III-vi-IV using that note, may make the IV-iv present itself). Of course, the IV-iv-I is a pretty common twist anyway, so maybe it doesn't need that much explaining.

[thethesaxman]

I absolutely love these videos! I know a modest amount of music theory, but building chord progressions is something I still struggle with. Theses breakdown videos really help me to understand these changes and how they function. Thank you David!!

[annoschreier]

The riff for 'Lithium' by Nirvana starts with this progression, although it's mostly power chords.

[TigerRogers]

Excellent David!! Some well explained theory about this common progression as well.

[staccount]

All you need is love at the chorus, on the third part of the chorus has a I III7 vi V IV V I which is relatively similar, this 1 to 3 major (especially major 7th) is an element in chord progressions that people find very pleasing, and with good reason as it sounds amazing

[Luxalpa]

For me it's the L'amour Toujours progression. It's the first song that I hear when I hear this.

[bjoern]

Much more satisfying than a I V iv VI. Greetings from germany and you all have a happy new year!

[DMSProduktions]

Great job Dave, rock on in '24! \m/

[rocketpost]

I think I know a bit about music theory but I always learn something from your videos. The III being the V of vi is something that never would have occurred to me. You are an excellent teacher David so keep up the good work. Thanks.

[Jeremylgx]

I was looking at the chord progression of Together by The Raconteurs earlier today and it was very close (by staying diatonic) : I iiim vim IV.

It’s very interesting to see how this small variation of the third degree change a lot on the feeling of this progression.

Thanks a lot for your videos, they’re really helpful and one of the best I watch on YouTube !

[Azeria]

A personal favourite of mine, I won’t lie. One I find myself falling back to more than I probably should.

[interstellaroverdrive]

THAnk you for making such good quality videos

[AFRoSHEENTARCMICHAEL]

These are my favorite videos of yours. 😊

[mrmaison]

I love these chord progression videos! I bet you would make for a great DJ with this knowledge. 🙂

[marlonhitpa]

I think Bo Burnhams 'Kanye rant' where he sings ablut Pringles and mental health uses it as well. Such a great progression. Thanks for the Video