By: Lindsey Russo
*This blog contains Stranger Things Season 4 spoilers. You have been warned.*
My current obsession, like a solid chunk of society, is the Netflix hit series Stranger Things. More importantly, I am also currently obsessed with its soundtrack. Notoriously set in the 80s, all 4 seasons of Stranger Things contain a plethora of hits from the decade. Some standouts include Will and Jonathan’s favorite jam from season 1 “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash, or season 3’s adorably-hilarious Dustin and Suzie duet to “Never Ending Story”. But today, I want to talk about the impact that music had on season 4 of Stranger Things, and consequently, us as loyal viewers.
If I have to explain the plot of Stranger Things to you, I grant this moment to click out of this blog and log on to Netflix. What I will explain, though, is the moment that music became the linchpin of its most recent season.
In episode 4 of season 4, Robin and Nancy visit Victor Creel in a mental institution; placed there due to society’s wrong assumption that he murdered his wife and children. The duo knew, though, that this was the only human who survived Vecna’s curse (or whatever you want to call what Henry Creel/001 does to his victims). When Nancy pleaded to know how Victor survived, he responded that he heard the voice of an angel, and then began to hum a tune that he explicitly mentioned was his favorite song – Doris Day’s “Dream A Little Dream Of Me”. After connecting this to the psychologist’s comment that music unlocks your mind in places simple words cannot, the two deduce that music might be the key to saving one’s life against Vecna.
They were right.
In objectively one of the best scenes in television history; Lucas, Steve, and Dustin use Kate Busch’s “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” to release Max from Vecna’s curse.
(Source: Netflix)
You know, THAT song. The song that, although released in 1985, is today charting on the Billboard Hot 100.
Now it’s no secret that this song is everywhere right now – TikTok, the radio, and admit it, it’s in your playlists. But why?
I think it’s because this song, like many others, holds a life of its own in the show. It’s almost a character we can connect to. And it reminds us of what we love about this series.
The Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things, are keen to detail. Song choice is no different – which deserves a kudos as well to music supervisor Nora Feldon. Whether it’s the bone-chilling theme or a perfect 80s tune that encapsulates the emotion of the moment, music is essential to this show.
So, for Max to have an epic escape, an epic song had to accompany it – a song with a soul that can shift a viewer into another dimension (Upside Down pun intended).
In my lifetime, I cannot think of another example of a song that held such a powerful significance within a show, and then held a life of its own outside the boundaries of said show. Within Stranger Things, Kate Busch’s track stands as a motif of Max’s guilt toward her brother Billy’s death, with lyrics “If I only could, I’d make a deal with God, and I’d get him to swap our places.” Yet outside the show, I was wiping tables at work when suddenly I heard the tune playing at the bar. It’s actually quite amazing.
Interesting, isn’t it, that the song that the general public has clinged onto the most from the hit series happens to be the one that saved Max’s life. It’s kind of beautiful that songs play a lifeline in this year’s season, because music truly does reach into a human in a way that simple words cannot.
Media is so powerful, I cannot help but be so interested in it – the way our lives intertwine with the things that entertain us. I guess a show as captivating as Stranger Things will do that.
And to those disappointed that I didn’t talk about “Master of Puppets” and Eddie Munson’s most metal concert ever… Well, I might need a whole other blog for that awesomeness.
Queen