Epic Chord Progressions From Hit Songs
Cinematic, anthemic loops from Lose Yourself, Faded, Viva la Vida, Mr. Brightside and more. Switch to any key, hear each loop in your browser and download it as a free MIDI file.
i – VI – VII
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From the minor i, the loop climbs through two major chords. The rising VI–VII builds tension that explodes when the loop returns to i.
Tip: Layer strings or brass on the VII so the return to i hits harder.
i – VI – III – VII
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A minor loop that keeps climbing without settling. It sounds big and emotional at the same time, which is why it drives so many festival anthems.
Tip: Build it with a riser and a big drop on the first i chord.
IV – V – I – vi
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The bass climbs from 4 to 5 to the home chord, then drops to the minor vi. Each pass feels like the song is rising.
Tip: Use big, steady quarter notes on piano or strings.
VI – VII – i – III
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Two major chords climb into the minor i, then jump up to the III. The constant upward motion makes it ideal for a pre-chorus build.
Tip: Increase the energy every bar: add drums, then synths, then vocals.
VI – III – VII – i
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Three open major chords build up and resolve onto the minor i, giving a huge, cathartic chorus.
Tip: Let the drums and guitars hold back for the first three bars and hit hard on the i.
IV – V – iii – vi
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A climbing IV–V followed by a deceptive move to iii and vi. In a big arrangement it sounds triumphant and bittersweet at once.
Tip: Change key up a step for the final chorus.
I – IV – vi – V
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All-out major energy with a single minor chord. Driving eighth notes turn it into an anthem.
Tip: Play it with driving eighth-note bass and guitars.
I – V – vi – IV
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The most famous four chords in pop, played big. The V–vi–IV rise and fall gives every chorus a sense of scale.
Tip: Big drums, layered guitars and a singalong melody on top.
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 epic 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 120 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 EPIC 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 epic?
Epic progressions build: they climb (VI–VII–i, IV–V), they delay the resolution, and they work in big, slow chord changes that leave room for a large arrangement. Minor keys with major VI and VII chords give the classic cinematic sound.
3 ways to use them in your own songs
- Climb into the downbeat. Put a rising VI–VII or IV–V right before the moment you want to hit hardest.
- Arrange in layers. Add one layer per bar (drums, bass, strings, choir) as the loop repeats.
- Modulate up. Repeat the final chorus a step higher; use the key buttons above to hear it.
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 epic chord progressions?
Epic progressions on this page include i – VI – VII (Lose Yourself); i – VI – III – VII (Faded); IV – V – I – vi (Viva la Vida); VI – VII – i – III (LOVE DIVE); VI – III – VII – i (Boulevard of Broken Dreams). Every progression on this page has playback in any key and a free MIDI download.
What chord progression does Lose Yourself by Eminem use?
Lose Yourself uses i – VI – VII in the chorus: Dm – B♭ – C in D minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Faded by Alan Walker use?
Faded uses i – VI – III – VII in the every section: D♯m – B – F♯ – C♯ in D♯ minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Wake Me Up by Avicii use?
Wake Me Up uses i – VI – III – VII in the chorus: Bm – G – D – A in B minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Viva la Vida by Coldplay use?
Viva la Vida uses IV – V – I – vi in the verse (V played as V7sus4): D♭ – E♭ – A♭ – Fm in A♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does LOVE DIVE by IVE use?
LOVE DIVE uses VI – VII – i – III in the pre-chorus: A – B – C♯m – E in C♯ minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day use?
Boulevard of Broken Dreams uses VI – III – VII – i in the chorus: D♭ – A♭ – E♭ – Fm in F minor, 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).
What chord progression does Into the New World by Girls' Generation use?
Into the New World uses IV – V – iii – vi in the played as IV – V/IV – iii – vi: C – D – Bm – Em in G major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Me Gustas Tu by GFRIEND use?
Me Gustas Tu uses IV – V – iii – vi in the pre-chorus (with 7th chords): D♭ – E♭ – Cm – Fm in A♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Mr. Brightside by The Killers use?
Mr. Brightside uses I – IV – vi – V in the chorus: D♭ – G♭ – B♭m – A♭ in D♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Don't Stop Believin' by Journey use?
Don't Stop Believin' uses I – V – vi – IV in the intro, verse and chorus: E – B – C♯m – A in E major, 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: Hip-Hop chord progressions (song sources listed there), EDM chord progressions (song sources listed there), Pop chord progressions (song sources listed there), K-pop chord progressions (song sources listed there), Indie chord progressions (song sources listed there), Rock 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.