‘Stranger Things’ Mixtape: 10 Songs From the Show to Hype You Up for the Finale

Netflix’s hit sci-fi and fantasy series, “Stranger Things,” is coming to an end this holiday season. With its memorable characters, costumes, quotes and music, it has become a pop-culture icon. After a long wait, the final season will finally premiere in three installments coming out Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

“Stranger Things” wouldn’t have had the strong impact that it did if it weren’t for the music. Accompanying Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein’s retro, synth score are countless songs of the era, transporting viewers back to the 1980s. Series creators, Matt and Ross Duffer discuss the importance of music to the show in the Netflix special, “Beyond Stranger Things.” When talking about choosing songs, they point out that some were immediately written into the script, while others took some sampling before the perfect one was found.

The thought and effort put into each song choice is clear, as music is a key reason why “Stranger Things” has impacted so many people. Music sets the period, strengthens an epic moment and even helps the characters survive — literally. So, as we prepare for the finale of this huge and unforgettable series, let’s look at some totally rad hits that were featured in the series so far.

“Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash | (Season One, Chapter Two)

This song first appears while Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) is on his way to his father’s house in search of his brother Will (Noah Schnapp). When “Should I Stay or Should I Go” comes on in the car, the scene transitions to a flashback involving a heartfelt moment between the two brothers, as they bond over music while their parents argue in the next room.

The Clash hit became a staple to the series, particularly for Will’s character, who sings it to comfort himself when trapped in the Upside Down. The song comes up again in season two when Will’s friends and family are trying to communicate with him as he’s possessed by the Mind Flayer.

“Every Breath You Take” by The Police | (Season Two, Chapter Nine)

We hear this next song during the final chapter of season two. After fighting demodogs and saving Will from the Mind Flayer, the friends finally get to have a good time at the Hawkins Middle School Snow Ball. Everyone is dancing, except for Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), who is sitting all alone. Once the ballad comes on, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) makes an appearance, and she and Mike begin to slow dance.

Although the moment may be sweet and romantic, the song’s lyrics may tell otherwise. The repetition of lines such as, “I’ll be watching you” represent how the Mind Flayer is still lingering around Hawkins. The scene even ends with a creepy view of the school in the Upside Down, telling audiences that the darkness is still there.

“Master of Puppets” by Metallica | (Season Four Chapter Nine)

Season four is probably the most music driven of the entire series, and this scene became one of the most iconic. While in the Upside Down, Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) plays the metal hit, “Master of Puppets” on his guitar to draw Vecna’s (Jamie Campbell Bower) bats away from his friends. Super action packed, this scene switches from Eddie on his guitar to Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) fleeing Vecna.

The song’s quick pace adds intensity as we see each character in peril, and the swarm of bats slowly approaching Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo) and Eddie. As well as being incredibly intense, the scene also looks visually cool, with the dark clouds and red lightning in the sky. The use of the song was so epic, that it even rose on the music charts following the season’s release.

“The Ghost In You” by The Psychedelic Furs | (Season Two, Chapter Three)

This new-wave tune can be heard in a scene where Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) and Jonathan are talking during their lunch period. Though not a crucial moment of the series, the song may have a deeper meaning for the characters. While sitting on the hood of Jonathan’s car, they’re sharing a moment of mutual understanding about the guilt they feel from the events of the first season. 

The song, which explores themes of memories and losing loved ones, reflects how Nancy feels about Barb’s death. And, although Will is still alive, Jonathan can’t help but feel responsible for everything his brother went through. It’s not certain whether the characters are actually listening to the song, but it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary. Based on the “Hawkins High Yearbook” published by Penguin Random House in 2019, The Psychedelic Furs track is featured on one of Jonathan’s mixtapes, so perhaps it’s playing in his car during this scene!

“Moving in Stereo” by The Cars | (Season Three, Chapter One)

“Stranger Things” gained popularity for its ’80s ambience and pop culture references, and the use of this song is a perfect example of that. Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery) makes his first appearance as the Hawkins Community Pool lifeguard in this fun, summer scene. Walking by the pool in slow motion to this The Cars classic, he’s got all the women watching him. The scene pays tribute to the 1982 film, “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” in which a girl comes out of a pool in her bikini and removes her top while the song plays.

“Spellbound” by Siouxsie and the Banshees | (Season Four, Chapter Nine)

Featured in the credits for the season four finale, the use of this song is the first time any of the season credits end with a song other than the “Stranger Things” theme. The last thing we see in this chapter is the Upside Down infiltrating Hawkins. The battle with Vecna isn’t over, and the use of this post-punk song heightens this tension. The song title is enough to reflect how several characters, including Max, were under Vecna’s “spell.” The repetition of the lyrics “We are entranced” is another example of this. It may even foreshadow how the entire town of Hawkins will now be under Vecna’s control.

“Never Ending Story” by Limahl | (Season Three, Chapter Eight)

This ’80s classic appears in one of the series’ most iconic scenes. During a suspenseful moment, Dustin contacts his girlfriend, Suzie Bingham (Gabriella Pizzolo), in order to find out what Planck’s constant is. The moment turns humorous when Dustin and Suzie break into song with “Never Ending Story,” and the gang awkwardly listen through walkie-talkies. “Never Ending Story” is the title song from the 1984 film bearing the same name, which is about a boy who is trying to save the world from a dark force. This plot is similar to these characters trying to save Hawkins from the dark forces of the Upside Down.

“Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” by Kate Bush | (Season Four, Chapter Four)

Kate Bush’s 1985 song was used in what has probably become the most iconic, intense and emotional moment of the entire series. Max is caught in Vecna’s trance and is literally in his clutches. After discovering that music can save you from Vecna, her friends play her favorite song, “Running Up that Hill (A Deal With God).”

Vecna uses his powers, and Max, in trance, is lifted into the air as her friends watch in horror. We see flashbacks of some of Max’s happiest memories in Hawkins, and she manages to escape from Vecna. The song had such an impact on fans, that it reached one billion streams on Spotify.

“Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads | (Season Four, Chapter Two)

This song appears in a moment of tension. Jason Carver (Mason Dye) has just been informed that his girlfriend, Chrissy Cunningham (Grace Van Dien) was killed. Suspecting Eddie of murdering her, he riles up his friends to help him hunt Eddie down. The beat of the song adds to the feeling that something is brewing. Even the lyrics match since the song is about a psycho killer, which is what Jason believes Eddie to be. However, all of his anger and hate towards Eddie causes him to behave like a “psycho killer.”

“Who Wants to Live Forever” by Queen – Season Five

Queen’s “Who Wants to Live Forever” was featured in the second trailer for “Stranger Things”‘ fifth and final season. This song sounds both melancholy and epic, and perhaps it’s giving viewers a taste of what season five will be like. The lyrics, “There’s no time for us/There’s no place for us” might just represent the characters’ emotions now that the Upside Down is invading Hawkins. It’s just possible that the song will make its way into the actual series, especially since a special “Stranger Things” remix was released.

Final thoughts

“Stranger Things” wouldn’t feel like the fun, nostalgic show that it is if it weren’t for all those ’80s elements. The wardrobe, hairstyles, sets and of course, the music, create the retro vibe that helped make the series such a success. This selection of songs is only a small amount of the music featured in the series, but it captures the significance of music to the show.

Season five will take place in 1987, which means we’ll probably hear music from that year throughout the season. A new soundtrack titled, “Stranger Things: The WSQK Collection,” has already been released, giving fans a look at some of the songs that are sure to be featured. I’m excited to see how Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now” will be used, and I can’t wait to tune in to Netflix for the first part of “Stranger Things” season five.