The key change. That most cunning of creatures. You think the songs about petered out, you feel the last chorus approaching, you're already at full capacity but happy to belt out one more. And then...the key change. Reserve power.

We're not talking any old subtle key change here. We're talking the massive, camera zoom, arms to the sky, reverberating snare shot key change. What some in the industry call the Truck Driver's Gear change. It signifies a dumbed down, ham-fisted last-ditch attempt to rocket the song into the stratosphere. It's horrible. Unless you're singing it.


5. Def Leppard - 'Let's Get Rocked'

Maybe...just maybe...the worst video clip of all time. In 1992 this rubbish bin of MS Paint, rudimentary 3D animation and grid-frames probably looked pretty awesome. In the meantime Nirvana were wrecking a gym somewhere. There's money well spent. Def Leppard didn't just utilise the key change to kick the song up a notch they LOVED it, employing it again and again unashamedly. This one starts, as they all should, at 3:50 when the guitarist starts gravitating towards the roof.

Youtube comment summary:

sycamoreleaves74: I agree, the video makes little to no sense, but it was a great song.


Def Leppard - 'Let's Get Rocked'


4. Stevie Wonder - 'I Just Called To Say I Love You'

I'm not real sure but judging from the video I think this song is about Stevie being an omnipotent god floating through space watching a TV projected on a giant slab of earth showing birds and waves. Until a dove flies through the TV and it shatters into a million pieces. Like Stevie's heart. And he's on the phone cause he's like "Damn I'm all hurtin but... does anyone know how complex this song actually is? I've got two big key changes in here. One when the dove breaks my earth TV at 3:00 and another to show that I can sing to thousands of people through a phone". Badass.

Youtube comment summary:

ricdmt101: i remember when this song came out i was in new jersey with one of my girl friends and this was are songs now them days are past i have not seen them in years but when i hard this to day i had to stop and i want back in time and don't know if they ever see this on here and if they do hi say hi to addile and archilly i had alot of woman to come in my life all over the usa and no one ever touch my heart like them so thank for putting this on here
 


Stevie Wonder - 'I Just Called to say I Love You'

 
3. Michael Jackson - 'Man in the Mirror'

Before Michael Jackson was an insane lunatic he ruled the earth. And unlike today's popstars like say, Britney, Katy Perry and Ben Lee, it was completely justified and okay. He was incredible. Even his power ballads were era-defining How To's of pop songwriting.

Even though it's sappy as hell, this is evident in the fourth number one single off the album Bad, 'Man in the Mirror'.

It's important that something decisive happens at the key change, maybe a little pause to really flush the adrenalin through. At 2:57 Michael throws his band back in the air, arches to the sky and a massive gospel choir appears. Tremendous.

Youtube comment summary:

biancahhxx: speak for urself darkfire81?? what kinda name is that i bet u like screamo music?? and u dont even know how to spell paedophile


Michael Jackson - 'Man in the Mirror' Live at the Grammy's


2. Bon Jovi - 'Livin on a Prayer'

There was a time as a wee lad when I believed what I read and so thought Bon Jovi was a metal band. AHAHAHAHAHAHA. Extra points for having the audacity to shoot the first half of the video in black and white, meaning it hasn't aged as badly as half of these clips. But then when the chorus kicks in at 2:39 - POP - oh, colour. The Jovi utilise once again the "pause" effect (you'd call it a "beat" in the film industry but that term's too confusing here) before kicking into the key change. Signified here by Jon Bongiovanni himself being launched into the air above the crowd on a harness. Hmmm *adjusts monacle* Something's afoot.

Youtube comment summary:

BUGGA48: this song fuckin rocks!! and its really easy on expert on gh world tour


Bon Jovi - 'Livin' on a Prayer'


1. Whitney Houston - 'I Will Always Love You'

The mother of all power ballads/key changes/dog whistles. Whitney covered this Dolly Parton song for her first film appearance in the weepy Bodyguard alongside Kevin Costner. (Costner was the protaganist in this clip AS WELL as in Bryan Adams' 'Everything I Do (I Do It For You)'. Amazing.) Putting the final word on the classic "pause - snare hit - camera zoom - key change" combo, see it pop testicles at 3.09.

YouTube comment summary:

ifesayer2k - OMG @**# THIS LONG LIVE HEAVY METAL
Whitney Houston - 'I Will Always Love You'

Honourable mentions:

Bryan Adams - 'Please Forgive Me'

fibr0501: Many of you who are watching this video may have recently been hurt in some way by the one you love. If this is you, I tell you this. "Love is stronger than an argument, disagreement, or a disappointment. Tell the other how you truly feel, explain how you were hurt, and what he or she could do next time to avoid this situation. Relationships are hard but the reward is worth it. In most cases, she just wants to be heard with empathy, compassion, and validation. And sometimes he just needs space."


Genesis - 'Invisible Touch'

midwest26: Phil Collins has a baby face he could use some hair on the top of his head. Great song to bad he retired.


Flaming Lips - 'Do You Realise?'

chaggysleking: a really deep song, emotional, thelyrics are so true.. the happiness sometimes makes us all cry right?


Chain Reaction - 'Diana Ross'

liverpool80000seater: top of the pops february 1986,me got 6 months imprisonment


Boston - 'More than a Feeling'

melikey01: This song also reminds me of a girl I loved. I used to put it on when I got up in the morning and made breakfast, as sort of an armour against the liars and whores I'd have to deal with that day.