The I V vi IV chord progression

The most popular chord progression

IV leads back to I, so the fourth chord hands the loop straight to the first. The loop has no ending built in.

I is home, V the strongest pull, vi the minor home, IV away.

The same loop from three homes: C, G, then A. The chord letters change with the home; the numerals and their roles do not.

A loop has no first chord, so a song can begin on any of the four. The chords keep their order; only the one you hear first changes.

IV–I–V–vi. The loop begins away from home and lands on I one chord later.

vi–IV–I–V. Beginning on the minor chord makes the whole loop sound darker. This start is common enough to have its own name: the rotation.

I–V–vi–IV, the original start, for comparison.

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One full pass of the four chords. Which chord did the loop start on?

Listen first. Then answer.

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The pop loop is…