Since its first season debuted on Netflix in 2016, Stranger Things has been a love letter to the 1980s. The show follows a group of kids, teenagers, and adults living in a small town in Indiana whose lives are forever changed by supernatural events. Paying homage to 80s films, the series is nothing without its iconic soundtrack.
To invoke the nostalgia of 80s horror and coming-of-age flicks, Stranger Things heavily relies on pulling popular tunes from the decade into its score. With the fourth season on the horizon, it'd be worth it to look at some of the show's previous uses of music. These songs set the mood for a show set in eerie Americana.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead
10 "Africa" By Toto
Toto's most popular song, "Africa," is a no-brainer when it comes to essential 80s music. The song's crooning chorus speaks of a love that's so close yet so far away. It's only fitting that it plays in the series' first episode during a scene between Nancy Wheeler and her boyfriend, the selfish and peer-pressuring Steve Harrington.
The song plays on Nancy's radio while Steve helps Nancy "study," which quickly devolves into a make-out session thanks to Steve. It also helps foreshadow the future of their relationship in the coming seasons, where Steve's missteps drive Nancy away, and he spends many episodes continuing to long for her from afar.
9 "Heroes" By Peter Gabriel
One of the most iconic needle drops in Stranger Things comes at the end of Season 1, Episode 3. In this climactic moment, Mike and his friends' investigation of their friend Will's disappearance hits a turning point when Will's body is found in a nearby lake. Mike lashes out at the mysterious psychic child Eleven as this song plays.
The song was originally recorded by David Bowie, but Stranger Things makes use of a 2010 cover by influential recording artist Peter Gabriel. "Heroes" even makes a return appearance in the final moments of Season 3, possibly foreshadowing the survival of the beloved character Jim Hopper after his supposed death.
8 "Atmosphere" By Joy Division
The moment where Will's body is supposedly discovered is a big emotional twist in Stranger Things' first season. However, as the show is only four episodes in at this point, viewers can expect that there's more than meets the eye. Still, the characters must grapple with this revelation, and the perfect song is chosen to set the mood.
At the beginning of Season 1, Episode 4, "Atmosphere" by Joy Division plays over a montage following the aftermath of Will's discovery. Will's brother Jonathan cries in his bed while his mother, Joyce, refuses to give up hope. This song fuels the feeling that the search is not over, making it a choice piece of music for this eerie show.
7 "White Christmas" By Bing Crosby
The rest of Season 1 of Stranger Things contains similar 80s pop music throughout its soundtrack, as well as some synthwave magic by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein. However, the first season ends on a seemingly cheerful note as Will is returned, and the families enjoy the Christmas season. To score this, Bing Crosby's iconic hit plays.
As expected, the grass is not yet greener in Hawkins. Hopper seems to be leaving waffles in the woods for a missing Eleven, while Will chokes up a slug into the bathroom. As our heroes settle in for Christmas dinner set to Crosby's sweet voice, there's still the impending feeling that the worst is yet to come.
6 "Ghostbusters" By Ray Parker Jr.
When the second season of Stranger Things begins, it's Halloween of 1984. The second episode finds the main cast of kids trick-or-treating, with some pretty decade-appropriate outfits. Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will all dress up as the Ghostbusters, so it's no surprise that Ray Parker Jr's iconic theme song for the film plays in this episode.
The iconic song plays over a montage of the foursome having their pictures taken by their parents before heading off to school. It's a nice window into the home lives of characters like Dustin and Lucas, whose families by this point remained enigmatic. This music cue also foreshadows the season's focus on exorcism and possession.
5 "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" By The Clash
"Should I Stay Or Should I Go" is an integral song in the first season of Stranger Things. It plays several times, first when Jonathan is helping Will ignore the sounds of their parents arguing. It becomes an important song to characterize Will and his tendency to disappear, though it makes an epic return near the end of Season 2.
When Will has become possessed by the mysterious Mind Flayer, Mike, Jonathan, Hopper, and Joyce work together to exorcise Will. As their interrogation of Will gets more intense, Jonathan grabs his stereo to blast The Clash in Will's ears. The song continues to score the gang decoding Will's secret Morse Code messages.
4 "Every Breath You Take" By The Police
Season 2 of Stranger Things ends on a slightly upbeat note as the characters attend a winter dance at school. As Mike and Eleven meet on the dance floor and kiss, The Police's classic hit "Every Breath You Take" plays. Though it seems like a perfect 80s classic to score this cheerful ending, it's actually hinting at something darker.
Unbeknownst to our favorite characters, the Mind Flayer continues to watch them from the Upside-Down, ending the season on a suspenseful note. With this in mind, the lyrics of "Every Breath You Take," which describes an obsessive ex-lover, fit this fearful image of the Mind Flayer looming over Hawkins middle school.
3 "Can't Fight This Feeling" By REO Speedwagon
Season 3 places Stranger Things in the middle of summer, nearing the Fourth of July. Since the end of Season 2, Mike and Eleven have officially started dating. Unfortunately, their affection puts them into conflict in the first episode with the rest of their friends, as well as Eleven's adoptive father, Hopper, who detests Mike.
After abandoning their friends, REO Speedwagon's iconic tune "Can't Fight This Feeling" scores another Mike and Eleven make-out scene. Meanwhile, Hopper lingers in the other room practicing a speech to the two about setting boundaries. It also perfectly scores the awkward conversation that is bound to follow.
2 "Material Girl" By Madonna
Unfortunately, Hopper's speech goes awry, and he instead forces Mike and Eleven into a fight after threatening Mike. Heartbroken, Eleven finds Max, who is going through similar relationship turmoil with Lucas. The two girls pair up and hit Starcourt Mall, prompting a needle drop of one of the biggest hits of the decade.
For a sequence where Max and Eleven try on clothes and go on a shopping spree, Madonna's "Material Girl" is the only appropriate choice of song. It's also a good moment to spend time in Starcourt Mall, which becomes a centerpiece of the season. Sadly, the mall doesn't last long after it becomes a battle arena in the finale.
1 "Never Ending Story" By Gaten Matarazzo
Leave it to a Stranger Things season finale to choose an unexpected song to score a climactic moment. That honor in Season 3 goes to "Never Ending Story", the theme song to the 1984 film The NeverEnding Story. The song was originally sung by Limahl, but in this episode, it's covered by Dustin and his girlfriend Suzie.
In a tense moment, Dustin requires Suzie's help with a secret passcode. Not realizing the stakes are life or death, Suzie forces Dustin to sing her favorite song as payment. The rest of the cast stares in bewilderment as Dustin belts the iconic tune, saving their lives but embarrassing himself in front of everybody in the process.