The very catchy I-V-VIm-IV chord progression is the most common:

C - G - Am - F

D - A - Bm - G

A - E - F#m - D

G - D - Em - C

E - B - C#m - A

The Australian comedy group Axis of Awesome did a video on this chord progression that's a hoot. They've only covered 30+ songs in this but the next time you listen to the radio, look out for the progression in play.

From the top of my head, other songs that have used this progression at one point or wholly: 'Head Over Heels: Alanis Morissette', 'When I Go Around: Green Day' 'No Woman No Cry: Bob Marley', 'Since You've Been Gone: Rainbow' etc etc.

How can you write your own hits with this progression? My advice: Play with different beats and let a clean melodic bass line guide you: for example - "Don't Stop Believin' " or "With or Without You" etc etc.

The rest, you will find your own way. BTW, whatever the title of this post says, if you think knowing a certain chord progression(s) is half the battle won, you are smoking it pretty often.

Listen to all these songs!

Here's the whole article.