Quote:

ALL pop/country/rock songs are really structured around a 1-4-5 progression




Add blues, bluegrass, folk, etc. to that list. It's what our ears expect to hear. When these genres stray too far from that formula, it may sound strange to our ears.

Sometimes that can be good or "surprising". Sometimes not. In reality, it would be difficult if not impossible to come up with a truly unique progression, or at least one that would be pleasing to the listener.