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Folk & Country

Country Roads

G · D · Em · C

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G
I
D
V
Em
vi
C
IV
Key
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Country Roads in G major

Country Roads is I · V · vi · IV. In G major that is G, D, Em, C. The backbone of country music. Open road sing-along. Loop those chords in order. The same pattern works in any major key.

Songs that use this

  • Wagon Wheel · Old Crow Medicine Show
  • Wide Open Spaces · The Chicks
  • Viva la Vida · Coldplay
  • She Will Be Loved · Maroon 5

Why it works

In G major this loop is G, D, Em, C (I · V · vi · IV). I is the home chord. V pulls away from home and wants to resolve. vi adds a minor color. IV moves the song forward without leaving the key. Play the chords in order and the pattern is easy to hear on ukulele.

Chords in G major

Jump to each shape used in this loop.

GDEmC

Try in other keys

Same Roman numerals; chords transpose with the key.

C major → C · G · Am · FD major → D · A · Bm · GE major → E · B · C#m · AF major → F · C · Dm · BbG major → G · D · Em · CA major → A · E · F#m · DB major → B · F# · G#m · E

Related progressions

Sweet 'n CheerfulCountry WaltzFreight TrainBluegrass RunFolk Two-Chord

Frequently asked questions

What is the Country Roads ukulele chord progression?

Country Roads is the I–V–vi–IV chord loop. In G major that is G, D, Em, and C. The backbone of country music. Open road sing-along.

What do the roman numerals mean in Country Roads?

Roman numerals mark each chord's role in the key, not fixed chord names. Uppercase is major, lowercase is minor. Country Roads uses I–V–vi–IV. Change the key and the roles stay; the chord names move with it. In G major you play G, D, Em, C.

How do you practice Country Roads on ukulele?

Loop G, D, Em, and C. Change on the first beat of each bar and keep the strum steady. If one change is hard, practice that pair slowly, then play the full loop again.

What songs use the Country Roads progression?

Songs built on Country Roads include Wagon Wheel, Wide Open Spaces, Viva la Vida, and She Will Be Loved.

Why do so many songs use the same chords?

Country Roads (I–V–vi–IV) is one of the most reused patterns in Folk & Country and beyond. Writers come back to it because the roles are strong: home, departure, pull, and contrast. It supports almost any melody and still feels complete when you loop it. Same functions, different songs.

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