From the Clash to Kate Bush, the Netflix series Stranger Things has popularized many songs from the 1980s. With the new season starting Wednesday, fans will be wondering which old songs will get a new audience this time.
The Duffer Brothers – Matt and Ross Duffer – have done a fantastic job in their music choices in the Netflix series, popularizing many forgotten songs from the past.
Season 1 featured the song “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by the Clash, which was originally released in 1982. This song was a main focal point in the show’s story.
When Will Byers is taken into Upside Down, he reminisces about how he and his brother, Jonathan Byers, would always listen to that song. The relationship between the Byers brothers is shown through this song throughout that first season.
Moving to Season 2, the song that was revived from the ’80s was “Whip it” by Devo. The song was released in 1980 and immediately became a hit.
During the scene where Will Byers, Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair, and Dustin Henderson visit the arcade, this song is played when they discover that their favorite game, Dig Dug, has a new high score with the name MADMAX. Little did the boys know that this person would be the newest member of their party, Max Mayfeild.
In Season 3 the song that Stranger Things had everyone singing was “Never Ending Story” by Limahl. This 1984 song was not very popular when it was released, but since being on the show, its number of streams has increased by 825 percent.
When Henderson and his girlfriend from his summer camp, Suzie, finally get in contact with each other for the first time since camp, they sing a rendition of the song. They do this so Suzie can give Henderson the Planck’s constant to close the Russian Gate.
Season 4 brought a major resurgence of the song “Running up that Hill” by Kate Bush. This song had everyone who watched the show in 2022 singing and humming along. It appeared in TikTok videos and even reached number three on the Billboard Top 100 in the UK because of its appearance in the series.
This song played a tremendous role in the show. It is a central point to Mayfield’s storyline and her escape from the villain, Vecna.
As Season 5 starts on Wednesday, fans will be listening for what this year’s song will be.
