Since its inception in 2016, Stranger Things has turn out to be a treasure trove for traditional ‘80s songs. From bringing back the evocative sound of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” to turning folks into Metallica followers due to “Master of Puppets,” the showrunners have turn out to be adept at creating the right soundtrack for the present’s sci-fi horror ambiance. While the collection has already been streaming for 4 seasons, there are nonetheless loads of (*5*)s certain to be the large payoff to the gang’s darkish journey in Hawkins, Indiana. Here we’ve compiled 15 songs that ought to be featured in the ultimate season of Stranger Things.
Read extra: Why Stranger Things’ Eddie Munson was the unsung hero of 2022
“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” – U2
As our heroes finish their ultimate journey by way of the Upside Down, they’ll need one thing to renew their spirits, and nothing fairly has that impact like early U2. “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” may not be probably the most optimistic quantity, however it does embody the thought of forging forward and dealing with every little thing that lies earlier than you. The gang has their work minimize out for them after the consequences of Vecna final season, however that is the form of monitor that may be the pure comedown when Hawkins is lastly at peace.
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” – Whitney Houston
Outside of making an attempt to save Hawkins from what’s certain to be the brink of destruction, the children nonetheless have to fear about ending highschool as nicely. The Snow Ball tied issues up properly in season 2, so hopefully there’ll be one other dance/promenade as the children lastly develop out of highschool. In phrases of the story, this Whitney Houston traditional may be both a comedown from all the motion or only a method to break up the phobia happening round them. The youngsters need some enjoyable in their lives, and that is positively an uplifting traditional to just do that.
“Head Like a Hole” – Nine Inch Nails
There had been positively some steel tendencies in the final season like Eddie Munson’s iconic efficiency of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” however it’s time for Trent Reznor to add his industrial slant to every little thing. Nine Inch Nails’ debut did come out in 1989, so the discharge may line up with the children getting in contact with one thing somewhat extra angsty earlier than shit begins to hit the fan. If Eddie is certainly nonetheless alive, you’d higher imagine that he’d come again listening to music like this.
“Just Like Heaven” – The Cure
For all the demons and adventures embedded inside the present, there’s a romantic facet to it, too, and the Cure are perfect for soundtracking any love montage that may occur. The Cure have all the time had a little bit of melancholy in their music, however “Just Like Heaven” is about as poppy as they arrive, with lyrics about how a lot of a whirlwind love can be. The previous few seasons have dwelled on Mike and El’s bond, and their troubled relationship is what Robert Smith’s songs had been made for.
“Personal Jesus” – Depeche Mode
Since the opening theme of this present is centered round chilly keyboards, why not convey in the band accountable for these darkish sounds in the primary place? Though “Personal Jesus” is a later minimize from Depeche Mode, it’s nonetheless shut sufficient to match into the present (suppose what they did with the ominous model of “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” by Journey final season). Stranger Things has all the time thrived on horror, and that is the form of ominous music that was made for the present.
“Where Is My Mind?” – Pixies
So we left off final season with the gang witnessing the demonic Upside Down lastly coming into actuality. Yes, that appears like a mindfuck, and this Pixies music encapsulates that feeling to a tee. The minute that these blistering guitars enter and Kim Deal’s falsetto takes off, you instantly really feel such as you’re caught between each side of actuality, identical to the children are at the moment. While using this music was way more dire in Fight Club, Stranger Things may reclaim it as its personal.
“Fast Car” – Tracy Chapman
There’s a sure stage of heartache that comes with watching Stranger Things, and Tracy Chapman is aware of that form of ache all too nicely. The Chapman traditional has all the time been about utilizing that automobile as a method to escape your issues again house to end up, and that may be the perfect companion piece to El and Mike calling it quits or Jonathan and Nancy slowly drifting aside. If anybody deserves a sonic send-off like this although, it’s Hopper, making that ultimate determination of whether or not to sacrifice himself for the city he labored to shield.
“Paradise City” – Guns N’ Roses
Part of the fantastic thing about the suitable soundtrack music is making a very good first impression, and that is the form of kickoff you’d kill for. Just just like the opening of season 4 began with Kate Bush, Guns N’ Roses is the form of aggressive transfer to skyrocket us into the subsequent part of Stranger Things, as everybody prepares to tackle what Vecna unleashed. The youngsters are in all probability too younger to join to “Paradise City,” however that is the form of monitor that Steve Harrington has been ready for.
“Bring the Noise” – Public Enemy
For the previous few years, we now have heard little to no hip-hop in Stranger Things, and that wants to be corrected shortly. Even although the golden age of Run-DMC and Beastie Boys would not have labored in the context of the present, this Public Enemy minimize may unfold the phrase about what’s happening in Hawkins. The gang already has their backs in opposition to the wall with the city turning in opposition to them, so it’s time for them to make some noise and go into battle with Chuck D in the background.
“Kickstart My Heart” – Mötley Crüe
“Master of Puppets” already made for a fairly badass scene final season, and we’re certain to get some extra steel to capitalize off of that second. Mötley Crüe have already got Netflix royalties from The Dirt, so why not hold ‘em coming with Stranger Things? “Kickstart My Heart” would be an excellent soundtrack for the gang storming the Upside Down and taking on the Shadow Monster. Since the whole underworld is filled with demonic creatures, metal is definitely the best move here.
“Father Figure” – George Michael
There have been rumblings that Will had romantic feelings for Mike this past season, and there is sure to be a storyline that contextualizes that further. Seeing how George Michael was closeted for most of his career, this could be a striking pick should Willprofess his feelings to Mike. Maybe Mike’s relationship with El will get difficult, however this one is for the Will/Mike ship.
“It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” – R.E.M.
The ultimate scene from Season 4 already ended on a grim notice with an apocalyptic have a look at Hawkins, and this R.E.M. minimize is right to decide up the place we left off. The breach between the Upside Down and the remainder of the world has already been cracked, so some apocalyptic songs are positively wanted in a time like this. Maybe Stranger issues will go for black comedy with the music taking part in because the digital camera pans over Hawkins being annihilated.
“Like a Prayer” – Madonna
How has Stranger Things gone by way of many of the ‘80s and barely touched on the Material Girl’s discography? While a handful of Madonna cuts had been featured in Season 3, this music may probably work the identical magic that “Running Up That Hill” did — however solely in the suitable context. “Like a Prayer” may simply be one other montage-style music, however it has potential for a grand fade out as we see Hawkins for the final time.
“She Bangs the Drums” – The Stone Roses
Now “She Bangs the Drums” is a little bit of a deep minimize, extra from the choice facet of the spectrum. But that is about as shut to a real love music as the Stone Roses bought, and its psychedelic really feel is right for a trippy sequence in the Upside Down or because the soundtrack for one of many highschool scenes. It’s price mentioning that Robin can also be identified to be probably the most eccentric out of the gang, so this could additionally match nice on her playlist.
“Batdance” – Prince
Stranger Things has all the time been nostalgic for ‘80s kids, so why not add a cinematic layer to it with something from the Batman soundtrack? This funky Prince cut would be a great scene-setter for an icebreaker at the high school or when the gang is hanging out back home. The power of nerds was a definitive part of that era anyway, so let’s simply get the superhero worship in as nicely.
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