Emotional Chord Progressions From Hit Songs
The progressions behind Someone Like You, Fast Car, Clarity, Lemon and Best Part: loops that mix hope and sadness. Switch to any key, hear each loop in your browser and download it as a free MIDI file.
I – V – vi – IV
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
The loop moves from home (I) to tension (V), dips into the minor vi and lifts again on the IV. That rise and fall in every four bars is why it carries so many emotional choruses.
Tip: Put a big, sustained note on the vi chord, where the loop is most vulnerable.
IVmaj7 – V7 – iii7 – vi
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
It climbs from IV to V, then falls to iii and lands on the minor vi instead of the home chord. The expectation of resolution, then the turn to minor, creates a strong feeling of longing.
Tip: Keep the 7th chords; the maj7 on the IV is a big part of the colour.
IVmaj7 – III7 – vi
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
The III7 is a major chord borrowed from outside the key, and it pulls strongly into the minor vi. That sudden extra pull is what makes the arrival feel emotional.
Tip: Let the melody hit the raised note in the III7 (the 3rd of the chord) right before the vi.
IV – I – V – vi
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
Starting on the IV gives a reaching feeling, and ending on the minor vi leaves the loop open. It sounds hopeful and sad at the same time.
Tip: Contrast it with a verse that starts on the vi.
ii7 – V7sus4 – vi7 – iii7 – IV
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
Five 7th chords that avoid the home chord completely. The harmony keeps moving without landing, which feels like a long build of emotion.
Tip: Use a wide pad and let a piano play the same chords on top.
IV – I – vi – V
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
Starting on the IV and passing through the minor vi gives a mix of nostalgia and forward motion, ideal for a story song.
Tip: Pair it with a steady, driving rhythm so the emotion comes from the lyric and the chords together.
Imaj7 – ii7/IV – IVmaj7 – bVImaj7
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
Three warm major 7th chords, then a ♭VImaj7 borrowed from the minor key. That one outside chord adds a sudden ache to an otherwise comforting loop.
Tip: Try ending any major-key loop on a ♭VImaj7 before returning to the I.
VI – III – VII – i
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
Three open major chords lead to a minor i. The loop builds and then resolves into sadness, which suits a big emotional chorus.
Tip: Build the arrangement over the first three bars and drop it back on the i.
Progressions with a lower-case i are shown in a minor key, the rest in major. Songs often use different chords in different sections; the section is listed for each example. "Song key" is the key of the recording as given in the published transcription.
All 8 emotional chord progressions as MIDI, in every key
Every progression on this page in all 12 keys (96 MIDI files, chords and bass on separate tracks, at 84 BPM). You also get our full Chord Progression MIDI Pack (864 files) and The Songwriter's Cheat Sheet (PDF).
Your downloads are ready. Links to the full MIDI pack and the cheat sheet are on their way to your inbox too.
DOWNLOAD EMOTIONAL MIDI → FULL MIDI PACK CHEAT SHEET PDFWant ready-made grooves? The Song Starter MIDI Kit ($19) turns 48 progressions from hit songs into chord, bass and drum parts, and MIDI Pack PRO ($9) has 113 progressions in 6 playing styles.
What makes a chord progression sound emotional?
The most emotional progressions mix major and minor: they offer hope (major chords, upward motion) and then pull it away (a minor vi, a borrowed minor chord, or no return to the I). That tension between hope and loss is what listeners feel as emotion.
Many of them also avoid the home chord at the start of the chorus, which creates a feeling of reaching for something.
3 ways to use them in your own songs
- Delay the I chord. Start the chorus on IV or vi and arrive on the I as late as possible, or never.
- Add 7th chords. maj7 and m7 chords soften the harmony and add longing.
- Contrast sections. A minor verse and a major chorus (or the other way round) makes both feel stronger.
Turn the progression into a song
SongwriterMap covers what goes on top of the chords: song structure, hook writing, melody shapes, lyric devices and a 7-point melody check, with an exercise for every item. Try the free demo in your browser.
Quick answers
What are the most emotional chord progressions?
Emotional progressions on this page include I – V – vi – IV (Someone Like You); IVmaj7 – V7 – iii7 – vi (Gunjou); IVmaj7 – III7 – vi (Gunjou); IV – I – V – vi (Lemon); ii7 – V7sus4 – vi7 – iii7 – IV (Clarity). Every progression on this page has playback in any key and a free MIDI download.
What chord progression does Someone Like You by Adele use?
Someone Like You uses I – V – vi – IV in the chorus: A – E – F♯m – D in A major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Gunjou by YOASOBI use?
Gunjou uses IVmaj7 – V7 – iii7 – vi in the chorus: E♭maj7 – F7 – Dm7 – Gm in B♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Racing Into the Night by YOASOBI use?
Racing Into the Night uses IVmaj7 – V7 – iii7 – vi in the chorus (analysed as VI–VII–v–i in C minor): A♭maj7 – B♭7 – Gm7 – Cm in E♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Gunjou by YOASOBI use?
Gunjou uses IVmaj7 – III7 – vi in the verse: E♭maj7 – D7 – Gm in B♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does HANABI by Ikimonogakari use?
HANABI uses IVmaj7 – III7 – vi in the chorus (IV with add9, then I): Cmaj7 – B7 – Em in G major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Lemon by Kenshi Yonezu use?
Lemon uses IV – I – V – vi in the chorus: E – B – F♯ – G♯m in B major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Clarity by Zedd ft. Foxes use?
Clarity uses ii7 – V7sus4 – vi7 – iii7 – IV in the every section: B♭m7 – E♭7sus4 – Fm7 – Cm7 – D♭ in A♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Fast Car by Luke Combs (cover of Tracy Chapman) use?
Fast Car uses IV – I – vi – V in the chorus: D♭ – A♭ – Fm – E♭ in A♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Best Part by Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R. use?
Best Part uses Imaj7 – ii7/IV – IVmaj7 – bVImaj7 in the verse: Dmaj7 – Em7/G – Gmaj7 – B♭maj7 in D major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Something in the Orange by Zach Bryan use?
Something in the Orange uses VI – III – VII – i in the chorus: C – G – D – Em in E minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
Can I use the same chord progression as a hit song?
Yes. Chord progressions are shared building blocks of music, and the loops on this page are used in hundreds of songs. What makes a song yours is the melody, the lyric and the production. (General information, not legal advice.)
Can I download these chord progressions as MIDI?
Yes. Every progression has a free MIDI download in the key and tempo you choose, with the chords and the bass on separate tracks, ready to drag into any DAW.
Sources: Pop chord progressions (song sources listed there), Anime / J-pop chord progressions (song sources listed there), EDM chord progressions (song sources listed there), Country chord progressions (song sources listed there), Neo-Soul chord progressions (song sources listed there). Song titles are given for reference only. No lyrics, recordings or sheet music are reproduced, and The Sonic Secrets is not affiliated with any artist or label.