Few modern TV series have reshaped music discovery like Stranger Things. Since its debut, Netflix’s sci-fi phenomenon has leaned heavily on 1980s pop and rock to ground its supernatural world in emotional nostalgia. While dozens of classic tracks have appeared across the show’s seasons—including Prince’s “Purple Rain” and David Bowie’s “Heroes” in the final episode—only a select group of songs experienced a true commercial and cultural revival directly tied to their on-screen moments.
The most dramatic example remains Kate Bush’s 1985 masterpiece “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God).” Featured as Max’s emotional lifeline during Season 4, the song exploded globally more than three decades after its release. It reached No. 1 in the UK, climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and introduced Bush to an entirely new generation. By 2023, the track surpassed one billion streams on Spotify, climbing past 1.5 billion by 2025. Its resurgence stands as one of the most powerful music moments in television history.
Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” followed with a similarly seismic impact. The thrash metal classic soundtracked Eddie Munson’s unforgettable guitar scene in the Upside Down, transforming a cult favorite into a mainstream streaming juggernaut. The song re-entered global charts, surged across TikTok, and later joined Spotify’s Billion Streams Club, proving heavy metal could thrive in pop culture moments when paired with the right visual storytelling.
Season 3 delivered a lighter but equally viral revival with “The NeverEnding Story” theme by Limahl. Sung by Dustin and Suzie during the finale, the song sparked an estimated 800 percent spike in streams and video views. The playful duet reignited interest in the 1984 fantasy film and briefly turned the track into a social media sing-along.
Journey’s “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” also benefited from the Stranger Things effect. Its remixed use in Season 4 reignited interest in the band’s catalog, pushing the song back into streaming playlists and reinforcing the show’s power to refresh arena-rock staples for modern audiences. Other ’80s tracks, such as The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go,” were deeply woven into the show’s narrative but did not experience the same explosive chart revivals.
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