Since its inception in 2016, Stranger Issues has turn out to be a treasure trove for traditional ‘80s songs. From bringing again the evocative sound of Kate Bush’s “Operating Up That Hill” to turning folks into Metallica followers due to “Grasp of Puppets,” the showrunners have turn out to be adept at creating the proper soundtrack for the present’s sci-fi horror environment. Whereas the sequence has already been streaming for 4 seasons, there are nonetheless loads of ‘80s classics to undergo. With the following season on the horizon, there are greater than a handful of songs that need to soundtrack what’s positive to be the massive payoff to the gang’s darkish journey in Hawkins, Indiana. Right here we’ve compiled 15 songs that needs to be featured within the closing season of Stranger Issues.
Learn extra: Why Stranger Issues’ Eddie Munson was the unsung hero of 2022
“I Nonetheless Haven’t Discovered What I’m Wanting For” – U2
As our heroes finish their closing journey by the Upside Down, they’ll want one thing to resume their spirits, and nothing fairly has that impact like early U2. “I Nonetheless Haven’t Discovered What I’m Wanting For” may not be probably the most optimistic quantity, however it does embody the concept of forging forward and dealing with all the pieces that lies earlier than you. The gang has their work reduce out for them after the consequences of Vecna final season, however that is the sort of observe that might be the pure comedown when Hawkins is lastly at peace.
“I Wanna Dance With Any person” – Whitney Houston
Exterior of making an attempt to avoid wasting Hawkins from what’s positive to be the brink of destruction, the children nonetheless have to fret about ending highschool as properly. The Snow Ball tied issues up properly in season 2, so hopefully there will likely be one other dance/promenade as the children lastly develop out of highschool. By way of the story, this Whitney Houston basic might be both a comedown from all the motion or only a method to break up the fear occurring round them. The children want some enjoyable of their lives, and that is undoubtedly an uplifting basic to just do that.
“Head Like a Gap” – 9 Inch Nails
There have been undoubtedly some metallic tendencies within the final season like Eddie Munson’s iconic efficiency of Metallica’s “Grasp of Puppets,” however it’s time for Trent Reznor so as to add his industrial slant to all the pieces. 9 Inch Nails’ debut did come out in 1989, so the discharge might line up with the children getting in contact with one thing a bit extra angsty earlier than shit begins to hit the fan. If Eddie is certainly nonetheless alive, you’d higher imagine that he’d come again listening to music like this.
“Simply Like Heaven” – The Remedy
For all the demons and adventures embedded throughout the present, there’s a romantic facet to it, too, and the Remedy are perfect for soundtracking any love montage which may occur. The Remedy have all the time had a little bit of melancholy of their music, however “Simply Like Heaven” is about as poppy as they arrive, with lyrics about how a lot of a whirlwind love could be. The previous few seasons have dwelled on Mike and El’s bond, and their troubled relationship is what Robert Smith’s songs have been made for.
“Private Jesus” – Depeche Mode
For the reason that opening theme of this present is centered round chilly keyboards, why not convey within the band liable for these darkish sounds within the first place? Although “Private Jesus” is a later reduce from Depeche Mode, it’s nonetheless shut sufficient to suit into the present (assume what they did with the ominous model of “Separate Methods (Worlds Aside)” by Journey final season). Stranger Issues has all the time thrived on horror, and that is the sort of ominous music that was made for the present.
“The place Is My Thoughts?” – Pixies
So we left off final season with the gang witnessing the demonic Upside Down lastly coming into actuality. Sure, that feels like a mindfuck, and this Pixies tune encapsulates that feeling to a tee. The minute that these blistering guitars enter and Kim Deal’s falsetto takes off, you instantly really feel such as you’re caught between either side of actuality, identical to the children are presently. Whereas using this tune was way more dire in Battle Membership, Stranger Issues might reclaim it as its personal.
“Quick Automobile” – Tracy Chapman
There’s a sure degree of heartache that comes with watching Stranger Issues, and Tracy Chapman is aware of that sort of ache all too properly. The Chapman basic has all the time been about utilizing that automobile as a method to escape your issues again dwelling to seek out your self, and that might be the best companion piece to El and Mike calling it quits or Jonathan and Nancy slowly drifting aside. If anybody deserves a sonic send-off like this although, it’s Hopper, making that closing choice of whether or not to sacrifice himself for the city he labored to guard.
“Paradise Metropolis” – Weapons N’ Roses
A part of the great thing about the precise soundtrack tune is making first impression, and that is the sort of kickoff you’d kill for. Similar to the opening of season 4 began with Kate Bush, Weapons N’ Roses is the sort of aggressive transfer to skyrocket us into the following part of Stranger Issues, as everybody prepares to tackle what Vecna unleashed. The children are in all probability too younger to hook up with “Paradise Metropolis,” however that is the sort of observe that Steve Harrington has been ready for.
“Carry the Noise” – Public Enemy
For the previous few years, we have now heard little to no hip-hop in Stranger Issues, and that must be corrected rapidly. Though the golden age of Run-DMC and Beastie Boys would not have labored within the context of the present, this Public Enemy reduce might unfold the phrase about what’s taking place in Hawkins. The gang already has their backs towards the wall with the city turning towards them, so it’s time for them to make some noise and go into battle with Chuck D within the background.
“Kickstart My Coronary heart” – Mötley Crüe
“Grasp of Puppets” already made for a fairly badass scene final season, and we’re certain to get some extra metallic to capitalize off of that second. Mötley Crüe have already got Netflix royalties from The Grime, so why not preserve ‘em coming with Stranger Issues? “Kickstart My Coronary heart” can be a wonderful soundtrack for the gang storming the Upside Down and taking up the Shadow Monster. For the reason that complete underworld is stuffed with demonic creatures, metallic is unquestionably one of the best transfer right here.
“Father Determine” – George Michael
There have been rumblings that Will had romantic emotions for Mike this previous season, and there may be positive to be a storyline that contextualizes that additional. Seeing how George Michael was closeted for many of his profession, this might be a hanging choose ought to Willprofess his emotions to Mike. Perhaps Mike’s relationship with El will get difficult, however this one is for the Will/Mike ship.
“It’s the Finish of the World As We Know It (And I Really feel Wonderful)” – R.E.M.
The ultimate scene from Season 4 already ended on a grim word with an apocalyptic have a look at Hawkins, and this R.E.M. reduce is good to choose up the place we left off. The breach between the Upside Down and the remainder of the world has already been cracked, so some apocalyptic songs are undoubtedly wanted in a time like this. Perhaps Stranger issues will go for black comedy with the tune taking part in because the digicam pans over Hawkins being annihilated.
“Like a Prayer” – Madonna
How has Stranger Issues gone by a lot of the ‘80s and barely touched on the Materials Woman’s discography? Whereas a handful of Madonna cuts have been featured in Season 3, this tune might probably work the identical magic that “Operating Up That Hill” did — however solely in the precise context. “Like a Prayer” might simply be one other montage-style tune, however it has potential for a grand fade out as we see Hawkins for the final time.
“She Bangs the Drums” – The Stone Roses
Now “She Bangs the Drums” is a little bit of a deep reduce, extra from the choice facet of the spectrum. However that is about as near a real love tune as the Stone Roses acquired, and its psychedelic really feel is good for a trippy sequence within the Upside Down or because the soundtrack for one of many highschool scenes. It’s price mentioning that Robin can also be identified to be probably the most eccentric out of the gang, so this is able to additionally match nice on her playlist.
“Batdance” – Prince
Stranger Issues has all the time been nostalgic for ‘80s youngsters, so why not add a cinematic layer to it with one thing from the Batman soundtrack? This funky Prince reduce can be a fantastic scene-setter for an icebreaker at the highschool or when the gang is hanging out again dwelling. The ability of nerds was a definitive a part of that period anyway, so let’s simply get the superhero worship in as properly.
