The 10 greatest needle drops in ‘Stranger Things’

Kate Bush – ‘Running Up That Hill’

Look, we all knew that this was coming, so what’s the point in beating around the Bush? When Stranger Things opted to use ‘Running Up That Hill’ in season four, even the creators didn’t expect how much of a cultural phenomenon it would become, and with such a triumphant scene, it showed a moment of heroism and rescue that wouldn’t have come together anywhere near as well as it did without the classic Kate Bush song playing in the background. 

The perfect placement of the song in the series meant that it had a brand new resurgence in the charts, which saw people everywhere listening to it once again, and people who may not have originally been a fan of Bush were suddenly calling her their favourite artist. There are plenty of examples of when Stranger Things used music perfectly, but this is the top of the iceberg (or hill).

Toto – ‘Africa’

We’re going all the way back to the very beginning for this one. In episode one of season one, we see Nancy Wheeler and Steve Harrington, two people slowly falling for each other, trying to study but struggling not to flirt. They finally give in to temptation with a kiss, and as they do, the backing track of Toto’s ‘Africa’ begins playing louder. 

The scene is pretty sweet, and despite the problems that their relationship will have as the series moves on, in this moment, they’re just two people falling for each other. The upbeat and hopeful addition of Toto’s classic feels pretty perfect in this moment, and it also does a great job at setting the scene for what Stranger Things is as a whole, something regardless of all the fantastical thrills, has humanity at its heart.

Led Zeppelin – ‘Bring It On Home’

Stranger Things is a series that isn’t worried about tugging on the ol’ nostalgia strings every now and then. A lot of the emotion they conjure in their viewers is driven by a sense of looking back, but it doesn’t come across as cheap or as something which is blatantly taking advantage of nostalgia; instead, it feels like an original creation grown from the roots of that which came before. 

As such, the idea to use this Led Zeppelin song in the series feels pretty perfect. While it was somewhat original, it also saw the band draw inspiration from a Sonny Boy Williamson track of the same name. The way they lean on nostalgia but don’t overly rely on it feels somewhat apt, and it works incredibly well in this series.

The Police – ‘Every Breath You Take’

Okay, we need to dispel the menacing theme underlying the lyrics for this Police song and just appreciate it for what people originally did, which is see it as a sweet-sounding love song. It’s used as a backdrop for love, friendship, and as a general feel-good ending for the series, and while you might think it a bad choice for such a setting, as far as instrumentation and tone are concerned, it’s a good pick. 

Sometimes, a song doesn’t require an explanation, and we can just rest easy in accepting that a track is a good choice when it comes to establishing a bit of a montage, and that’s exactly what ‘Every Breath You Take’ does in this moment. Don’t worry about the deeper meaning behind the song and how that may not apply to what you’re watching, just enjoy it as music and pictures.

Queen – ‘Hammer to Fall’

The greatest friendship in Stranger Things is that which develops between Steve and Dustin; there is simply no denying it. The way the two go from enemies to unlikely friends is the Netflix series showcasing just how well it can establish characters and take them on unexpected journeys. 

As these two become best friends, we are treated to plenty of comedic moments, and one of these comes without the duo saying anything. Instead, the punchline is delivered through music. As they drive to investigate the “lizard” which Dustin discovered and now seems to be growing at an uncontrollable rate, the awkward silence in the car is pierced by Queen’s upbeat classic, and it provides for a moment of comic relief and acts as a great bridge that leads to a fun conversation.

The Who – ‘Baba O’Riley’

A classic through and through, how can it not be included? While a lot of these entries are being put in the list because they go well with a specific scene or because they match the tone of the series well, ‘Baba O’Riley’ is here purely because of how great a song it is.

Packed with one of the greatest intros in the history of rock, this classic track by The Who is so cinematic that it could lift any series up. It seems that the makers of Stranger Things agreed as well, as they opted to use the song in a teaser trailer for the series, which managed to get everyone excited for the new episodes before they even knew what they were all about.

Madonna – ‘Material Girl’

Here’s a bit more of that nostalgia that we mentioned earlier. Who doesn’t remember the first time they had a small budget and an entire shopping centre to play with? The teenage excitement that came with shopping by yourself for the first time is something we all long for as adults, and for a brief moment, Stranger Things gave us that. 

It’s a great scene as not only do we experience a brief buzz of sentimentality, but we also get to see a new side to Eleven, as she is given permission to finally act like a kid and not a superhuman weapon of mass destruction. It’s an incredibly sweet scene, and made even more so with the upbeat inclusion of Madonna’s iconic ‘Material Girl’; there is no escaping Stranger Things knowing where to place a good pop song.

‘Weird Al’ Yankovic – ‘My Bologna’

In the later series of Stranger Things, everything seems to get so much more serious. The threat that the Upside Down poses goes a lot further than just impacting a few people and suddenly threatens the world. As the stakes grow higher, it’s easy to forget that this show is supposed to be funny (in parts), but luckily, they seem to realise this, as it gives you occasional hits of humour, even as things are getting stressful. 

Mr Clarke is often considered one of the most important (albeit underrated) characters in Stranger Things, as his resources and vast scientific know-how help the gang solve problems pretty frequently. He’s also a nerd to the point that it’s funny, and the series captures both aspects of Clarke by having him listen to ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic while painting miniature figurines, wherein the placement of ‘My Bologna’ isn’t just funny, but also perfectly in keeping with who he is as a character.

The Mamas & the Papas – ‘California Dreamin”

What do you do when your neighbourhood is constantly being terrorised by a demon? That’s right, you move, and the fact it took some characters four seasons to realise this is pretty comical, but it didn’t stop it from being a sad farewell when half of the Hawkins gang upped sticks and headed to California. 

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to songs about California, but not so much when it comes to capturing the contradicting blend of sadness and hope that stayed with these characters during their move. The Mamas & the Papas offering might be the very best, and it fits within a small pocket of Stranger Things incredibly well.

Metallica – ‘Master of Puppets’

Music can sometimes be inconsequential when it’s placed in a series, as it’s merely put within a specific scene in order to set a mood; meanwhile, you have other instances when a song plays a very specific part in a scene. This is what we saw in the season finale of Stranger Things, when Eddie Munson was given his hero moment. 

Is there anything more metal than a swarm of flying demons in the Upside Down? Probably not, and as such, it only seems appropriate that heavy metal lover Munson got to play the opening riff to ‘Master of Puppets’ in a bid to save the day. This is a great example of music being a lot more than just something that can set the tone, but also something that can pick up a scene and take it from good to great.