Chiff and Fipple Forums

Last night my cousin and I were discussing chord progressions and I brought up the subject of the famous 50's cliche' chord progression.

That famous progression is: I vi IV V7

For those of you not into theory just think of the songs, "Last Kiss" or "Crocodile Rock".

So here's the challange. How many pop songs can you think of that use that progression?

Note, the I vi ii V7 is acceptable as well.

Paul Andry (from Covington, LA) and I stayed up WAY too late at one festival going through all the songs we could think of that fit this.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) we didn't remember much of it the next morning because of the liquid we were consuming at the time.........

Lotsa songs that you might not even think of...there are a lot of I IV V and other such common '50s chord progressions that show up frequently in old punk rock songs from The Misfits, the Ramones, etc...
Last Caress comes to mind

Tyler Morris wrote:Lotsa songs that you might not even think of...there are a lot of I IV V and other such common '50s chord progressions that show up frequently in old punk rock songs from The Misfits, the Ramones, etc...
Last Caress comes to mind

I'm thinking specifically of the I vi IV V. Gotta have that minor 6th

Heart and Soul
One too Many Mornings (Jerry Jeff Walker)

Flyingcursor wrote:

Tyler Morris wrote:Lotsa songs that you might not even think of...there are a lot of I IV V and other such common '50s chord progressions that show up frequently in old punk rock songs from The Misfits, the Ramones, etc...
Last Caress comes to mind

I'm thinking specifically of the I vi IV V. Gotta have that minor 6th

Heart and Soul
One too Many Mornings (Jerry Jeff Walker)

whooops, thats what I get for stayin up to damn late...
well, there are still plenty of old punk songs that still fit the bill
I'll have to sit and think about this one, you've got me interested

Two very well-known songs are:

Ben E. King — Stand By Me
Dion — Runaround Sue

I'll think of others.

I'd bet there's a thousand hymns that use that progression.

Having a strong relative pitch helps a lot with this.

Here's one you've probably not heard of:

"Each Coming Night," by Iron and Wine. It's the only four chords in the song.

Also, "Shine A Light" by the Stones has a I V vi V IV I progression.
"Kathy's Song," Paul Simon, has I IV I ii vi IV... and so on
Also Paul Simon, "Mother and Child Reunion," has IV V I vi ii I
"Ramblin' Man," Allman Brothers, has nice turn in the verses: I IV I I | I IV V V | IV I vi IV | I V I I | The chorus is only a little different.

A few more!

Earth Angel
Duke of Earl
Unchained Melody

Jerry Butler and the Impressions (et al) — For Your Precious Love
Sam Cooke — Wonderful World
Buddy Holly — Words of Love

This game isn't what someone with marking duties needs.

Flyingcursor wrote: One too Many Mornings (Jerry Jeff Walker)

Bob Dylan wrote "One too many mornings"

Slan,
D.

apologies in advance if there is another song with the same title.

Diana - Paul Anka
You drive me crazy - Shakin' Stevens
If I had a hammer - Trini Lopez
Let's twist again - Chubby Checker

Maybe I'll edit in some more later.

dubhlinn wrote:

Flyingcursor wrote: One too Many Mornings (Jerry Jeff Walker)

Bob Dylan wrote "One too many mornings"

Slan,
D.

apologies in advance if there is another song with the same title.

I saw that, and thought the same thing, but I assumed I just had never heard of the other One Too Many Mornings.

As can be seen here, due to the glory of Google, Jerry Jeff Walker did record the Dylan song. You can even listen to part of it. The Dylan version, to my ear, does not have a vi in it.

Shep and the Limelites — Daddy's Home
Lesley Gore — You Don't Own Me (chorus)
The Drifters — This Magic Moment
Elvis Presley — Blue Moon

OK, if I think of any more I'll edit them into this post.

You Cheated, You Lied
Silhouettes
Teenager in Love
Oh, Donna
Dream
Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

Less famous: my own rendition of Jabberwocky