History Main / MusicalTrigger

A specific musical cue--not in the {{BGM}}, but in actual music being played by someone or something InUniverse--serves as the trigger for some event. The more dramatic the event, the more likely that the trigger occurs at the end of the song, in which case the song functions as a melodic (and [[MagicCountdown quantum-mechanical-anomaly-proof]]) form of the Dramatic Countdown Clock.

-->'''Klang:''' She said B, not [[IncrediblyLamePun B flat!]]

* In ''Film/TheLivingDaylights'', Film/JamesBond has a keyring that emits a stunning gas when he whistles Rule Britannia and explodes when he gives a wolf whistle.

* ''Disney/TheGreatMouseDetective'': The trigger of Ratigan's DeathTrap for Basil was tied to a phonograph tonearm, so it would set off the trap when it reached the end of the record.

* Extremely subtle, but most ''VideoGame/{DarkSouls}''bosses are this. Each one has it's own theme, and the bosses move to the rhythm of their theme. It's also no the soundtrack, but ambient music (which means the character must be hearing it: often because the boss themself is making the sound). This is part of the games series' "tough but fair" design, because the player eventually starts to feel the boss's rhythm. Most obvious with the Dancer of the Boreal Valley, because her theme music is very noticeable and (being an optional boss) she's even more challenging than usual.

* ''Film/{{Zoolander}}'': The song "Relax" causes Derek's brainwashing to kick in, [[ManchurianAgent transforming him into a mindless assassin]]. This is due to the fact that BigBad Mugatu was ThePeteBest of Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

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-->'''Klang:''' She said B, not B flat!

* The most famous example is the eponymous instrument from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'' - Zelda's Lullaby - is basically a [[ContextSensitiveButton generic activator]] for a wide variety of effects.
** ''Webcomic/BrawlInTheFamily'' took the Lullaby's relationship with the Triforce to [[http://brawlinthefamily.keenspot.com/2009/02/17/140-lullaby/ its semi-logical conclusion]].

* WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes and WesternAnimation/MerrieMelodies: A standard "explosion" gag, where the cartoon's antagonist -- trying to blow up his foe -- attempts to attach dynamite or other explosives to a certain key, hoping that his unwary opponent will press it while playing the song, always "Those Endearing Young Charms." However, the good guy keeps up his guard and (perhaps intentionally) plays the incorrect note to avoid pressing the wrong key; after a few attempts, the frustrated antagonist will shoo off his opponent and demonstrate the correct playing of the song ... always leading to playing the rigged note and taking the explosion.

* ''Film/GetSmart'': The final notes of [[LudwigVanBeethoven Beethoven's]] 9th Symphony are the signal for the detonator.

The XylophoneGag is a very specific subtrope of this. If the song itself is harmful, it's a BrownNote. If the song is part of a magical spell, it's MagicMusic. If the song opens a door, it's an example of SongsInTheKeyOfLock.

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* ''Film/TheManWhoKnewTooMuch'': One specific cymbal clash in the symphony was the assassin's cue to fire--that was the loudest moment of the symphony, so it would have masked the sound of the gunshot.

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** The Schmëerskåhøvên song makes everyone dumber and dumber. Probably counts too.

* ''Fanfic/{{Oblivion}}'' has one where [[spoiler:by playing the intro to "[[Music/{{Muse}} Madness,]]" Tim can change his guitar into any stringed instrument.]]

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/majoras_mask_sound_stone.jpg]]

* In ''TheWestWing'', Josh is counseled by a psychologist due to his recent unpredictable behavior, and it turns out the trigger was the Christmas music in the lobby. In his mind, music represented the ambulance siren and made him relive the trauma of being shot months before.

* VideoGame/{{Shivers}}. By playing the siren's song on the organ in the "Mysteries of the Deep" room, a door opens up to reveal the way to the "Subterranean World" maze.
* Psycho Mantis from ''MetalGearSolid'' uses "mind control music" to control Meryl. When you hear it on the way to the commander room, looking in first person view shows the perspective of Mantis looking at you implying that you are also being manipulated.

* A ''PinkyAndTheBrain'' cartoon involved Brain encoding a subliminal message in a typical country song.

* ''TheManWhoKnewTooMuch'': One specific cymbal clash in the symphony was the assassin's cue to fire--that was the loudest moment of the symphony, so it would have masked the sound of the gunshot.