Has a song ever brought you to tears? Has it ever called forth a long-forgotten memory? Has it ever left you speechless or suddenly lost in time? One of music’s most beautiful gifts is its almost otherworldly ability to stir up the deepest and strongest emotions within us.
But how does it happen? How can a song summon so much emotion? While poetic lyrics, thoughtful instrumentation, and beautiful singing can play a part in bringing big feelings to a song, there’s another incredibly important and sometimes overlooked component to songwriting that creates the emotional impact of a song: chord progressions.
For aspiring songwriters, understanding how to use chord progressions to evoke specific feelings is crucial to the craft. Join us as we explore four of music’s most emotional chord progressions, delve into what makes them unique and impactful, and share how you can begin incorporating these progressions into your own songwriting practice.
1. The vi-IV-I-V Progression: Hopeful Longing
The vi-IV-I-V progression is one of modern music’s most iconic progressions. Songwriters often use it to write emotional, heartfelt ballads, desperate torch songs, and introspective melodies. Much of this progression's power lay in its movement between minor and major chords. By starting with a minor chord and then resolving with a major, this progression takes listeners on an emotional journey that can be somber yet hopeful, haunting yet sanguine.
For songwriters who wish to make the most of the vi-IV-I-V progression, it’s important to determine how to balance the tension and resolution within the song. Beginning in a minor key allows for darker or more introspective themes, which can later be resolved by moving to the major chords. This progression works especially well for verses or bridges, where building emotional depth before transitioning into a more uplifting chorus can have a huge impact on a listener.
Songwriters can also experiment with different inversions and voicings of this progression to add subtle variations. Finally, layering a melody and thoughtful lyrics can be the last touch to emphasize the feelings of longing and hope that this progression naturally evokes.
Example of vi-IV-I-V in A minor: A minor (vi) - F (IV) - C (I) - G (V)
Popular songs that use the vi-IV-I-V progression:
- "Zombie" by The Cranberries
- "The Scientist" by Coldplay
- "Under the Bridge" by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
2. The I-V-vi-IV Progression: Bittersweet Nostalgia
Found in both the hymn books of history and the sensitive ballad playlists of Spotify, the I-V-vi-IV progression has the power to pull at a listener's heartstrings. Much like the previous progression, the I-V-vi-IV transitions between major and minor chords, summoning feelings of nostalgia, regret, and desire. Starting with the major I and V chords creates a sense of uplift and hope, while the transition to the vi minor chord introduces a more somber and reflective quality. When the progression concludes with the major IV, the listener is left with a feeling of resolution, albeit one of perhaps bittersweet nostalgia.
The I-V-vi-IV is an ideal chord progression for the sensitive and thoughtful songwriter. It can be employed to great effect in both the verses and choruses of songs, as it holds the power to maintain a consistent emotional tone throughout a song. The true power of this progression lies in those transitions between the major and minor chords. It’s within those changes that the feelings of nostalgia, melancholy, and regret can really be accentuated.
Example in C Major: C (I) - G (V) - A minor (vi) - F (IV)
Popular songs in the I-V-vi-IV progression:
- "Let It Be" by The Beatles
- "With or Without You" by U2
- "Someone Like You" by Adele
3. The I-vi-IV-V Progression: Soulful and Romantic
While some chord progressions can evoke the bittersweet past, others can conjure feelings of new love, romance, and optimism for the future. The I-vi-IV-V progression is a perfect example. Also known as the '50s or Doo Wop progression because it was used so often in the early days of rock 'n' roll, the I-vi-IV-V is known for its romantic and timeless qualities. This progression starts with a major chord, moves to a minor chord to introduce a touch of yearning, and then resolves through the IV and V chords, creating a satisfying and familiar emotional journey.
As a songwriter, it’s essential that you have at least one love song in your repertoire, and the '50s progression is the perfect place to start. By playing around with this progression and even experimenting with its many variations, you can put a modern spin on that classic rhythm and blues or soul sound while retaining its timeless and romantic vibe. To further accentuate the big emotions of your song, try lingering on the minor vi chord before moving to the major IV chord. This can help emphasize that feeling of yearning and hope that gives this progression its character.
Example in C Major: C (I) - A minor (vi) - F (IV) - G (V)
Popular songs in the I-vi-IV-V progression:
- "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King
- "Earth Angel" by The Penguins
- "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers
4. The vi-IV-vi-IV Progression: Unresolved Emotions
There is something about the vi-IV-vi-IV progression that can make a listener truly feel stuck in their feelings. This is in part due to the cyclical and unresolved nature of this progression. By alternating between the minor vi and major IV chords without resolving to a tonic, this progression tends to leave the listener with a lingering, almost hypnotic, sense of sadness.
If you're looking to pen a song about loss, heartbreak, or just being deep in your feelings, the vi-IV-vi-IV progression is waiting for you. Its cyclical nature lends itself perfectly to a slow, thoughtful ballad or down-on-your-luck folk song. Consider using this progression in the verses and bridges of songs, allowing for some tension to build and then release in your chorus. You may also want to consider the instrumentation and dynamic choices you can make to emphasize a sad and melancholic emotional weight. For example, a sparse arrangement with acoustic guitar or piano can accentuate the feelings of isolation and sorrow that this progression inherently evokes. Vocal melodies that mirror the repetitive nature of this progression will also provoke strong emotions from your listeners.
Example in A minor: A minor (vi) - F (IV) - A minor (vi) - F (IV)
Popular Songs Using This Progression:
- "Everybody Hurts" by REM
- "Somebody That I Used To Know" by Gotye
- "My Immortal" by Evanescence
Make An Impact
A songwriter’s ultimate goal is often to craft a song that has the power to evoke genuine emotion from their listeners. Sadness, regret, longing, and heartache are some of the most powerful emotions we can feel in our lifetimes, and to capture those feelings within a song is truly the mark of a talented writer.
Understanding and mastering chord progressions, particularly those that can create such strong emotions, is essential to reaching that goal. Whether you're writing a heart-wrenching ballad or a reflective, introspective piece, these progressions will help you craft songs that resonate with listeners and leave a lasting emotional impact.
●●●Written by Jesse Stanford, Company Cue
