The Duffer Brothers’ vision for Max’s storyline in Stranger Things 4 required a soundtrack that could carry the emotional weight of her struggle. The goal was to convey fear, vulnerability, and resilience in a scene where Max confronts Vecna’s horrifying supernatural grip. Enter music supervisor Nora Felder, tasked with finding a track that would hit both the narrative and emotional bullseye.
After combing through decades of music, Felder and the Duffers landed on Kate Bush’s "Running Up That Hill." The song’s themes of bargaining with God, facing insurmountable odds, and striving for agency aligned perfectly with Max’s ordeal. “We knew we needed something that resonated not just musically but thematically with the element of dealing with God,” the Duffers explained, emphasizing the song’s narrative significance.
Winona Ryder, a longtime advocate for Bush’s artistry, had been campaigning for the singer’s inclusion since the early seasons. “I was constantly showing up in a Kate Bush T-shirt,” she joked in interviews, reflecting her devotion to the artist and the series’ careful curation of music. Ultimately, Felder successfully persuaded Bush to license the track after she reviewed the context within which it would be used. Bush’s admiration for the series added authenticity and enthusiasm to her involvement, making the collaboration feel organic rather than purely transactional.
The impact of “Running Up That Hill” was instantaneous and far-reaching. Streaming data revealed an unprecedented surge, with plays skyrocketing over 8,700% after the episode aired. On Spotify, the track averaged around 700,000 plays per day, and it quickly reclaimed the number one spot in the UK, earning the title of “Song of the Summer” from the Official Charts Company in 2022.
Part of this resurgence was aided by changes in chart calculation rules. Previously, older tracks faced penalties that limited their performance despite high streaming numbers. The new metrics now better account for digital streams, allowing songs like Bush’s to compete alongside contemporary hits. Bush herself acknowledged the phenomenon, noting, “It’s hard to take in the speed at which this has all been happening. So many young people who love the show are discovering the song for the first time.”
The effect was not purely numerical. Social media exploded with clips of fans sharing emotional reactions to the scene, dancing to the track, or highlighting the song’s thematic relevance. TikTok challenges, Instagram stories, and Twitter threads propelled the song’s cultural presence, making Bush a viral sensation decades after the original release.
What makes this resurgence fascinating is how seamlessly the song integrates into Stranger Things 4’s storytelling. Max’s encounter with Vecna is one of the season’s most intense sequences, combining horror, suspense, and deeply personal stakes. “Running Up That Hill” elevates the scene beyond mere background music; it functions as an emotional amplifier, reflecting Max’s inner struggle and desperate hope.
Ross Duffer revealed in interviews how the song became a recurring consideration for multiple scenes: “We keep going back to her, like, ‘Can we use the song here? How about here? I hope we’re not being annoying!’” This iterative process highlights how music in television can serve as both a narrative tool and a connective tissue, binding audience empathy with character arcs.
It’s a testament to the creative foresight of the showrunners. By combining classic 80s music with the supernatural storytelling of Hawkins, Stranger Things has crafted moments that resonate across generations. The choice of Bush’s song was perfect in tone, lyrical content, and emotional resonance, creating a scene that fans continue to discuss, dissect, and celebrate.
The viral success of “Running Up That Hill” demonstrates how television can revitalize classic music, bridging the gap between decades and demographics. For older fans, the song invokes nostalgia for the 1980s; for younger viewers, it introduces a timeless classic with newfound relevance. The interplay between Max’s trauma, Vecna’s terror, and Bush’s impassioned vocals creates an unforgettable audiovisual moment that redefines how music can influence contemporary pop culture.
The song’s rise also reflects the transformative power of streaming platforms. Unlike traditional radio, streaming allows for immediate and measurable engagement, enabling classics like Bush’s to gain new life in real time. It’s a modern miracle of cross-media storytelling: a 1985 track finds renewed relevance through a Netflix series in 2022 and beyond, illustrating how content and audience interaction can create cultural milestones.
Bush’s renewed prominence has inspired covers, fan art, and even viral TikTok remixes. The integration into Stranger Things has elevated the song from a chart hit to a symbol of empowerment, resilience, and the indelible connection between music and narrative in visual media.
The Duffer Brothers have hinted that “Running Up That Hill” will feature prominently in the second half of the series, suggesting that the song’s integration into Max’s storyline is far from over. Fans speculate that it could accompany further psychological confrontations, battles with Vecna, or even reflective moments exploring trauma and healing.
This collaboration also underscores the importance of music curation in storytelling. By weaving Bush’s track into the narrative, the series demonstrates the careful orchestration behind the scenes—where thematic, emotional, and tonal alignment meets audience engagement. The result is a cross-generational phenomenon that honors both the artist and the show, creating a moment in television history that will be remembered for years to come.
Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” proves that a song’s life can evolve in unexpected ways, and that television, storytelling, and music together can form a powerful cultural renaissance. Thanks to Stranger Things 4, a new generation of fans has discovered the beauty, intensity, and timeless brilliance of her work, while existing fans celebrate a long-overdue return to the spotlight.
Whether you’re listening for the haunting vocals, the synth-heavy nostalgia, or the emotional resonance within Max’s storyline, “Running Up That Hill” exemplifies the magic that occurs when music and narrative collide perfectly.
