Romantic & Love Song Chord Progressions
The progressions behind Stand By Me, Best Part, Just the Two of Us, If I Ain't Got You and Fly Me to the Moon. Switch to any key, hear each loop in your browser and download it as a free MIDI file.
I – vi – IV – V
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
One of the most used progressions in love songs. The minor vi adds tenderness, and the V always brings you safely home to the I.
Tip: Use a slow 6/8 or a gentle swing feel for a classic ballad.
Imaj7 – ii7/IV – IVmaj7 – bVImaj7
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
Warm major 7th chords make the loop feel intimate, and the borrowed ♭VImaj7 adds a touch of longing.
Tip: Play it on a soft electric guitar or Rhodes with minimal drums.
VImaj7 – V7 – i7
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
A maj7, a dominant 7 and a minor 7: three rich jazz chords in a circular loop. It sounds smooth, warm and a little melancholic.
Tip: Add a walking bass and brushed drums.
IV – iii – ii – I
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
The chords step down to the I like a gentle sigh. Played as 7th chords, the descent sounds tender and devoted.
Tip: Voice the chords so the top note stays close while the bass walks down.
i7 – iv7 – VII7 – IIImaj7 – VImaj7
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
A circle of fifths in minor: each chord falls a fifth to the next. It is the harmony of countless jazz love songs and standards.
Tip: Continue with iiø – V7 – i to complete the cycle.
ii – I – V – vi
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
Starting on the ii instead of the I makes a simple major loop feel lighter, like it is floating.
Tip: A falsetto melody over this loop sounds effortless and tender.
Imaj7 – IVmaj7
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
Two soft major 7th chords a fourth apart. Neither pushes forward, so the vamp floats, which suits a slow dance.
Tip: Slow the tempo down and let the chords ring.
vi – IV – I – V
WHY IT WORKS + WRITING TIP
The four pop chords started on the minor vi, played softly. Intimate and a little wistful.
Tip: Add the 7th to the vi and IV for an even softer colour.
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 romantic and love song 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 76 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 ROMANTIC 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 romantic?
Love songs lean on warm, rich chords (maj7, m7 and 9th chords), gentle resolutions to the I, and slower tempos. A touch of minor (a vi or a borrowed ♭VI) adds tenderness without making the song sad.
3 ways to use them in your own songs
- Use 7th chords. maj7 on I and IV, m7 on ii, iii and vi make any loop sound more intimate. See the voicings in our piano chord chart.
- Slow it down. Most ballads sit between 60 and 85 BPM.
- Resolve gently. End the chorus on the I, or on the vi for a bittersweet ending.
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 chord progressions are used in love songs?
Love-song progressions on this page include I – vi – IV – V (Stand By Me); Imaj7 – ii7/IV – IVmaj7 – bVImaj7 (Best Part); VImaj7 – V7 – i7 (Just the Two of Us); IV – iii – ii – I (If I Ain't Got You); i7 – iv7 – VII7 – IIImaj7 – VImaj7 (Fly Me to the Moon). Every progression on this page has playback in any key and a free MIDI download.
What chord progression does Stand By Me by Ben E. King use?
Stand By Me uses I – vi – IV – V in the verse and chorus: A – F♯m – D – E in A major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Every Breath You Take by The Police use?
Every Breath You Take uses I – vi – IV – V in the verse (with add9 and sus2 colours): A♭ – Fm – D♭ – 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 Just the Two of Us by Grover Washington Jr. ft. Bill Withers use?
Just the Two of Us uses VImaj7 – V7 – i7 in the intro and verse: D♭maj7 – C7 – Fm7 in F minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does If I Ain't Got You by Alicia Keys use?
If I Ain't Got You uses IV – iii – ii – I in the intro and chorus (with 7th chords): C – Bm – Am – G in G major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra use?
Fly Me to the Moon uses i7 – iv7 – VII7 – IIImaj7 – VImaj7 in the verse (shown with 7th chords): Am7 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7 – Fmaj7 in A minor, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Thinkin Bout You by Frank Ocean use?
Thinkin Bout You uses ii – I – V – vi in the chorus: Dm – C – G – Am in C major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Slow Dancing in the Dark by Joji use?
Slow Dancing in the Dark uses Imaj7 – IVmaj7 in the chorus: E♭maj7 – A♭maj7 in E♭ major, according to the published transcription (see sources below).
What chord progression does Can We Kiss Forever by Kina use?
Can We Kiss Forever uses vi – IV – I – V in the verse: C♯m – A – E – B 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: Pop chord progressions (song sources listed there), Neo-Soul chord progressions (song sources listed there), R&B chord progressions (song sources listed there), Jazz chord progressions (song sources listed there), Lo-Fi 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.