If there’s one thing Stranger Things excels at, it’s transporting viewers straight back to the 1980s, and the soundtrack is the time machine. Music isn’t just background filler; it’s a storytelling device, a character, a mood-shaper. Classics from Joy Division, Toto, and New Order drip with authenticity, punctuating pivotal scenes with both emotion and wit.
Take the iconic moment when Steve Harrington attempts to woo Nancy Wheeler—Toto’s Africa floods the scene, perfectly capturing the carefree thrill and awkward tension of teenage romance. Then there’s Corey Hart’s Sunglasses At Night, blasting as Steve climbs to Nancy’s window, oscillating between longing and absurdly comedic obsession. It’s a genius juxtaposition, a scene both romantic and slightly terrifying, amplified by every note of Hart’s synth-heavy pop.
The Duffer Brothers have a remarkable instinct for embedding songs in narrative moments that make them inseparable from the plot. Consider The Clash’s Should I Stay or Should I Go, a track that transcends nostalgia to become almost a leitmotif for the characters’ uncertainty and loyalty struggles. Its recurrence reminds audiences that music in Hawkins is as alive as its residents, weaving emotion and story into one intoxicating package.
Stranger Things doesn’t just play music—it resurrects it. Tracks that may have been gathering dust in a retro record store suddenly rocket back onto streaming charts. Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill, a hauntingly powerful piece featured in Season 4, surged in popularity worldwide, proving that decades-old music can resonate with contemporary audiences when paired with evocative storytelling.
Metallica’s Master of Puppets delivers a similarly transformative effect, paired with a scene that perfectly integrates both narrative and character growth. Meanwhile, Limahl’s The NeverEnding Story in Season 3 conjures a whimsical nostalgia, highlighting childhood imagination while simultaneously grounding the show in its era. The soundtrack is a cultural bridge: older fans revel in the return of beloved tracks, while new viewers discover the joy of classic music for the first time.
What makes these musical moments so effective is that they feel earned. Unlike many shows that use period tracks as window dressing, Stranger Things lets music live and breathe within the narrative. Each song carries story weight, whether it’s a soft ballad underscoring character vulnerability or a bombastic rock anthem igniting tension.
While licensed tracks pull viewers into the decade, the original compositions by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein define the sonic identity of Hawkins and the Upside Down. These synth-driven soundscapes conjure tension, wonder, and dread simultaneously, echoing the atmospheric tones of Tangerine Dream, John Carpenter, and Vangelis.
Their music transforms ordinary settings into emotionally charged landscapes. A simple stroll through Hawkins becomes suspenseful when underscored by their subtle, pulsating synths. The haunting tones in confrontations between Jonathan and Steve, or during Eleven’s psychic episodes, exemplify the composers’ mastery of building tension without overwhelming the scene. These original scores integrate seamlessly with licensed tracks, creating a cohesive auditory world where every note serves the story.
The brilliance of Dixon and Stein lies in balancing familiarity with novelty. They respect the era’s musical aesthetics while crafting original pieces that feel timeless. The result is an environment where the 1980s culture, the supernatural horror of the Upside Down, and the emotional lives of the characters coalesce into a seamless auditory experience. Music is both guide and mirror, reflecting the narrative arcs while pushing the tension, drama, and awe to new heights.
As fans await Stranger Things 5, the soundtrack’s role becomes even more critical. It has proven itself a narrative engine, capable of shaping emotion, nostalgia, and suspense all at once. From chart-topping resurgences to chilling original scores, the music of Hawkins continues to bridge generations, blending visual storytelling with auditory artistry.
Whether revisiting Toto, Corey Hart, Metallica, or experiencing Dixon and Stein’s haunting compositions for the first time, the soundtrack remains a central character in its own right, reminding us that the heartbeat of Stranger Things is not only what we see but also what we hear. Every synth pulse, every guitar riff, and every lyric carries meaning, grounding the supernatural in the emotional realities of friendship, fear, and adventure.
By celebrating both the nostalgic and the original, Stranger Things transforms music from accompaniment into essential storytelling, proving that in Hawkins, Indiana, the soundtrack is as iconic as the Demogorgon itself.
