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6.10.11 Chords to "Blue Moon," "Heart and Soul," "Return to Sender," and Many Others: The I - VIm - IV - V Progression
The chords to "Blue Moon," "Heart and Soul," "Return to Sender," and many other great songs follow the same progression, I - VIm - IV - V, or I - VIm - IIm - V (Figure 84):
FIGURE 84: Chord Map of “Blue Moon” (Words by Lorenz Hart, Music by Richard Rodgers, 1934); “Heart And Soul” (Words by Frank Loesser, Music by Hoagy Carmichael, 1938); “Return To Sender” (Words and Music by Otis Blackwell and Winfield Scott, 1962); and a Zillion Other Songs Using This Progression
The first version of this ultra-smooth progression owes its lack of forcefulness to the two consecutive third progressions at its heart, as shown on the chord map above. In this example, the third progressions are C – Am, and Am – F, both thirds-down... which makes the progression sound a bit too predictable perhaps.
In the second version, making Dm the third chord in the progression (instead of F) creates three consecutive downward fifths of default chords.
Either way, this progression plays it safe.
On the other hand, while not vigorous, the "Blue Moon" progression has much to offer in some songwriting situations. It rolls right along with a stability and inevitability that’s well suited to lightweight lyrics. Many 1950s ballads and pop tunes have this progression.