20 Songs to Listen to If You Love the Music From ‘Stranger Things’
Photo courtesy of Netflix.
Songs courtesy of Spotify, the artists, and their respective record labels.
Stranger Things premiered on Netflix on July 15, 2016. The fourth season was split into two volumes. Volume 1 premiered on May 27, 2022 and Volume 2 premiered on July 1, 2022. From the iconic costumes to the 80s hairstyles, there are so many things that make the show so true to the decade it’s set in. There is one thing that has become an integral part of the series and that’s the music. Today, I want to share a list of 20 songs. Some that are from the show and some that could be included in the fifth season or that just match the vibes. Let’s get started.
Here are 20 songs to listen to if you love the music from Stranger Things.
1. Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush
Running Up That Hill is a song written, produced, and sung by Kate Bush. The song was released on her fifth album, Hounds of Love, in 1985. The song climbed up the charts in 2022 due the use of it in season 4 of Stranger Things. Bush rarely allowed her songs to be licensed but she made an exception for the show since she was a fan.
2. Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N Roses
Sweet Child O’ Mine is a song by rock band Guns N’ Roses. The song was released on their debut album, Appetite for Destruction, in 1988. This a song that was introduced to me by my parents because they love rock. It took me awhile to warm up to this song because I wasn’t a huge fan of rock years ago. I was more of a pop fan but now I like rock. I like this song now too. The intensity of this song would fit so well in the show, especially in a scene like Eddie’s (Joseph Quinn) guitar scene in volume 2 of season 4.
3. Material Girl by Madonna
Material Girl is a song by Madonna. The song was released on her second album, Like a Virgin, in 1984. Material Girl is featured in season 3 of Stranger Things. The song has been featured in films like Crazy Rich Asians (2018) and Material Girls (2006).
4. Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie
Under Pressure is a song by Queen and David Bowie. The song was released as a single in 1981. Queen included the song on their tenth album, Hot Space, in 1982. This song would be a great addition to the show. I can picture Eleven or Will listening to it or just being included in a more upbeat scene.
5. Every Breath You Take by The Police
Every Breath You Take is a song by The Police. The song was released on their fifth and final album, Synchronicity, in 1983. Every Breath You Take is featured in season 2 of Stranger Things in the infamous Snowball Dance sequence.
6. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) by R.E.M.
It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) is song by R.E.M. The song was released on their fifth album, Document, in 1987. I mean, need I say more? We all know season 5 is going to be insane. This song would fit the show so well. Although, I always think of Chicken Little (2005) when I hear this song but whatever.
7. Psycho Killer by Talking Heads
Psycho Killer is a song by Talking Heads. The song was released on their debut album, Talking Heads: 77, in 1977. Psycho Killer is featured in volume 1 of season 4 in Stranger Things. I actually used this song for my video edit of Super 8 (2011) because the film is set in 1979 and it has similar vibes that the show has.
8. Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran
Hungry Like the Wolf is a song by Duran Duran. The song was released on their second album, Rio, in 1982. This song takes me back to the time when my colored group performed this song at our spirit rally in summer camp. Not only is this song nostalgic for me but it would fit so well in the show.
9. Baba O’Riley – ConfidentialMX Remix by The Who
Baba O’Riley is a song by the Who. The song was released on their fifth album, Who’s Next, in 1971. A remix of Baba O’Riley is featured in season 3 of Stranger Things.
10. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Bohemian Rhapsody is a song by Queen. The song was released on their fourth album, A Night at the Opera, in 1975. Do I even need to explain myself here? The buildup, the tempo, and the dramatics of this song just fits so well in this show. I’m surprised they haven’t put it in yet but I’ve seen a lot of video editors on Instagram and YouTube use the song for their Stranger Things edits.
11. California Dreamin’ by The Beach Boys
California Dreamin’ is a song by The Beach Boys. The song was supposedly released in 1992. It was a remake of the original song by The Mamas & The Papas. California Dreamin’ is featured in season 4 of Stranger Things.
12. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics and Annie Lennox
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) is a song by Eurythmics and Annie Lennox. The song was released on their second album of the same name in 1983. I used this song for a video edit I made of Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) because I thought the lyrics fit her well. I think it would be a great fit for the series too.
13. Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash
Should I Stay or Should I Go is a song by The Clash. The song was released in 1982. Should I Stay or Should I Go is featured in season 1 of Stranger Things. It has become a symbol of the relationship between Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton and Will Byers (Noah Schnapp).
14. Rue by girl in red
Rue is song by girl in red. The song was released in 2020. Obviously, this wouldn’t be featured in the show since it wouldn’t have been released yet but if the show was set in the 2020s, I could totally see it being used. It has those teenage angsty vibes to it and I could see Max listening to it honestly.
15. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham!
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go is song by Wham! The song was released in 1984. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go is featured in season 3 of Stranger Things.
16. There Is a Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out is song by The Smiths. The song was released on their third album in 1986 but it wasn’t released as a single in the U.K. until 1992. Since the lyrics are incredibly depressing, I figured it could be in some kind of sad scene. The vibe of the song fits the series pretty well.
17. Separate Ways (Words Apart) – Bryce Miller/Alloy Tracks Remix by Journey and Steve Perry
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) is song by Journey. The song was released on their eight album, Frontiers, in 1983. A remix of Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) is featured in the official season 4 trailer for Stranger Things. I’m not a huge Journey fan but the remix of this song fits the show so incredibly well.
18. The Less I Know The Better by Tame Impala
The Less I Know The Better is song by Tame Impala. The song was released on their third album, Currents, in 2015. Similar to Rue, this song obviously wouldn’t have been released yet. If Stranger Things was set in the present, this song would be such an amazing addition. I’ve been listening to this song on repeat for the last six years and it reminds me so much of 80s music.
19. Whip It by DEVO
Whip It a song by Devo. The song was released on their third album, Freedom of Choice, in 1980. Whip It is featured in season 2 of Stranger Things.
20. It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You) by The 1975
It’s Not Living (If It’s Not with You) is a song by The 1975. The song was released on their third album, A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships, in 2018. Similar to Rue and The Less I Know The Better, this would be great song to put in the show if it was set in the present and not in the 1980s. This song definitely gives 80s vibes though.
Crossing the Finish Line
I hope you enjoyed listening to some awesome songs from Stranger Things and songs that would fit perfectly in the show. I had so much fun putting this playlist together. Hope you found some songs that you would add to your own Stranger Things inspired playlist on Spotify.
Let me know what songs you would love see in the show by sending me a DM on Instagram.
Thank you for reading!
