The Major Chords I-IV-I-V-I
I IV V
This is a great progression from the fifties that is still useable today. This sound is characteristic or the songs “La Bamba”, “Louie, Louie” and “Twist and Shout.”
“ La Bamba” and “Twist and Shout” share the same chord progression. The excerpts of the tunes are at:
www.mikeperryweb.com/chords/MajorChrds-I_IV_V/LaBamba.mp3 (324KB)
www.mikeperryweb.com/chords/MajorChrds-I_IV_V/ShakeItUp.mp3 (444KB)

I have also created a Flash 6 files for "La Bamba" and "Twist and Shout" that play the song and graphically show the changes as they happen. To view this file, you will need to get the latest Flash reader software. Right-Click (PC) or Control Click (Mac) on the image when it comes up, and select "play" to start the sound. Select "Rewind" then "Play" to hear the song again. Select "Loop" to play the song repeatedly.

The changes go:
I I IV IV
V V I I (played over and over)

“ Louie, Louie” is sorta the same, but a little different. The excerpt of the song is at:
www.mikeperryweb.com/chords/MajorChrds-I_IV_V/LouieLouie.mp3 (424KB)

I have also created a Flash 6 file for "Louie, Louie" that plays the song and graphically shows the changes as they happen. To view this file, you will need to get the latest Flash reader software. Right-Click (PC) or Control Click (Mac) on the image when it comes up, and select "play" to start the sound. Select "Rewind" then "Play" to hear the song again. Select "Loop" to play the song repeatedly.

The Changes:
I IV V IV (over and over)

I apologize for the antiquity of these examples, but these were the tunes I learned these progressions from, so they pop into my head quickly when I need good examples. By now you should have a good feel for this distinctive chord progression.