Stranger Things isn’t just a show; it’s an ’80s music masterclass. Using deep cuts and massive hits not just as background noise, but as crucial plot points and emotional signifiers. We’re counting down the most iconic tracks that shaped the world of Hawkins and the Upside Down.

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The Clash – “Should I Stay or Should I Go”.
This was the standout song of Season 1, instantly linking back to the bond between Will and Jonathan Byers. The track reappears in Season 2 as a means of communication when the Mind Flayer possesses Will.

Metallica – “Master of Puppets”
Eddie Munson’s (Joseph Quinn) final, heroic stand in the Upside Down was cemented by this thrash metal anthem. The guitar-shredding scene in “Master of Puppets” made it one of the most iconic songs used in the series.

Peter Gabriel –  “Heroes”
Peter Gabriel’s cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes” is used in some of the show’s most heartbreaking and climactic moments. It plays in Season 1 when the boys see Will’s presumed body, and again in Season 3 when El reads Hopper’s emotional letter. The song’s melancholic mood enhanced these tragic scenes, giving the sequence a powerful, cinematic feel.

Limahl – “Never Ending Story”
The unforgettable duet between Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) and Suzie (Gabriella Pizzolo) in Season 3 saved the world (or at least got them the Planck’s constant). It’s a key moment of humor and pure ’80s nostalgia.

Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein – “Kids”
No discussion of the soundtrack is complete without the original score. This original track is one of the most distinct pieces of music in the series, instantly summoning feelings of nostalgia and melancholia. It plays multiple times, particularly when the main group of boys is hanging out.

Jim Croce – “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim”
Jim Croce’s folksy hit perfectly embodies Jim Hopper’s character. The song, featured in both Season 2 and Season 3, fits the character’s tough, straightforward attitude.

The Police – “Every Breath You Take”
The Snow Ball dance at the end of Season 2 is soundtracked by The Police’s romantic ballad. The Duffer Brothers turned the sweet moment sinister by flipping to the Upside Down, where the Mind Flayer is seen hovering over the school.

Madonna – “Material Girl”
The perfect song choice for Eleven and Max’s bonding scene at the Starcourt Mall in Season 3. It was the only appropriate choice for a shopping spree where the girls try on iconic ’80s looks.

Journey – “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”
Season 4 used a spooky remix of this classic hit. The track plays when the group arrives at the Creel House and prepares to go their “separate ways” to fight Vecna, setting an ominous and tense tone for the final battle.

Kate Bush – “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)”
This is arguably the most important song in the entire series. Its use in Season 4 became a massive cultural moment, launching the 1985 track to the top of the charts after 37 years. The song serves as a lifeline for Max (Sadie Sink), whose emotional performance while fighting Vecna elevated the scene to an iconic level.