Examples of songs that use the Pachelbel Canon progression include “Rain and Tears” by Aphrodite’s Child, “Streets of London” by Ralph McTell, “Basket Case” by Green Day, “Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis, “All Together Now” by The Farm and “Memories” by Maroon 5. They borrow the repeating chord sequence of Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D, which in D major runs D, A, B minor, F-sharp minor, G, D, G, A over a bass line that never changes.
The Canon was almost forgotten for centuries. A 1968 recording by the Jean-François Paillard chamber orchestra made it popular again, and within months pop groups were building songs on it. Producer Pete Waterman called it “almost the godfather of pop music.” Here are the clearest examples, in order of release.
1. “Rain and Tears” (Aphrodite’s Child, 1968)
Released in July 1968, this single by the Greek band was a baroque-rock adaptation of the Canon. It reached number 1 on the pop charts of several European countries.
2. “Oh Lord, Why Lord” (Pop-Tops, 1968)
The Spanish group Pop-Tops released this single in October 1968, again with a backing track based on the Canon. Parliament covered it on their 1970 album Osmium.
3. “Streets of London” (Ralph McTell, 1974)
Ralph McTell’s 1974 song uses the Canon’s chord progression under a completely new melody.
4. “Gemilang” (Krakatau, 1986)
This 1986 song by Krakatau is another track that makes use of the same progression.
5. “I Should Be So Lucky” (Kylie Minogue, 1988)
Pete Waterman, who co-wrote and co-produced Kylie Minogue’s UK number one, said the song was inspired by Canon in D.
6. “All Together Now” (The Farm, 1990)
The Farm’s 1990 single has its chord sequence lifted directly from Pachelbel’s Canon, so it is one of the easiest examples to hear.
7. “Go West” (Pet Shop Boys, 1993)
The Pet Shop Boys’ 1993 cover played up how much the song resembles both Pachelbel’s Canon and the Soviet national anthem.
8. “Basket Case” (Green Day, 1994)
Green Day’s 1994 song is one of the rock hits named as using the Canon’s chord progression, which shows the sequence works in a rock song as well as in Baroque chamber music.
9. “Don’t Look Back in Anger” (Oasis, 1996)
Oasis use the Canon’s progression with a variation at the end, which is why it sounds familiar without being an exact copy.
10. “C U When U Get There” (Coolio, 1997)
Coolio’s 1997 track is built around a sample of the piece rather than a re-played progression.
11. “Christmas Canon” (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 1998)
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s 1998 song is a holiday take on Pachelbel’s Canon.
12. “Canon Rock” (JerryC)
JerryC’s electric guitar version became one of the earliest viral videos on YouTube after it was covered by Funtwo.
13. “Memories” (Maroon 5, 2019)
For their 2019 single, Maroon 5 used the harmonic sequence of Pachelbel’s Canon and part of its melody.
What Makes the Pachelbel Progression
- Eight chords that repeat: in D major, D, A, B minor, F-sharp minor, G, D, G, A.
- A ground bass: in the original, the cello repeats the same bass line throughout while the violins enter one after another in canon.
- Replayed or sampled: most songs replay the chords, while “C U When U Get There” samples the recording itself.
- Borrowed in part: some songs use only the chords, while “Memories” also takes part of the melody and “Don’t Look Back in Anger” changes the ending.
Final Thoughts
Play the Paillard recording of the Canon, then “Basket Case” or “Memories,” and the borrowed chords stand out. For more on the musical form behind the piece, see these songs with canon and these famous canons in music, and for another descending bass pattern, these songs with a lament bass.
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