The 12 Best Stranger Things Songs Matched to Their Most Iconic Story Moments

The 12 Best Stranger Things Songs Matched to Their Most Iconic Story Moments

Music has been a powerful force in Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, often creating unforgettable emotional connections to pivotal scenes. The show brilliantly pairs 80s classics and haunting original compositions with key story moments, enhancing the drama, horror, and heartbreak. From Kate Bush saving Max from Vecna’s curse to Eddie’s metal concert in the Upside Down, these musical moments have become just as iconic as the characters themselves.

1. Stranger Things — Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein

This may be an unconventional pick, but the show’s theme song is simply too iconic to ignore. Composed by Michael Stein and Kyle Dixon, it kicks off every episode with a pulsing synth rhythm that perfectly blends retro 80s nostalgia with modern sci-fi storytelling.

Played during the opening credits and at select pivotal moments, the theme instantly transports viewers back to Hawkins. Its eerie yet infectious melody has become synonymous with the series, so much so that any sound resembling it sparks instant recognition among fans.

While Stranger Things is famous for spotlighting classic 70s and 80s hits, its original score stands shoulder to shoulder with them. This unforgettable theme not only sets the mood but also immerses audiences in the strange, thrilling world of Hawkins from the very first note.

2. Running Up That Hill — Kate Bush

Kate Bush’s haunting synth-pop masterpiece became the unexpected savior in Season 4’s most gripping sequence. When Max floats helplessly in Vecna’s mind trap, her friends discover music could be her lifeline.

The scene builds incredible tension as her friends frantically search for her favorite song on cassette. When those distinctive synthesizer notes finally blast through her headphones, something magical happens – Max’s memories flood back, giving her the emotional strength to break free.

This musical moment transcended the show, catapulting the 1985 song back onto charts worldwide nearly four decades after its release.

3. Master of Puppets — Metallica

Eddie Munson’s heavy metal concert in the Upside Down stands as one of television’s most exhilarating musical moments. Atop his trailer, Eddie unleashes Metallica’s thrashing guitar riffs to draw the demobats away from his friends.

The sequence perfectly captures Eddie’s rebellious spirit and ultimate heroism. His wild-eyed intensity as he shreds through the song creates a perfect storm of character development, plot advancement, and pure adrenaline.

What makes this scene particularly poignant is knowing it’s Eddie’s final stand – his moment to be the hero he never thought he could be.

4. When It’s Cold I’d Like to Die — Moby

Moby’s ethereal track creates a bridge between the series’ most heart-wrenching moments. First appearing when Joyce and Hopper desperately perform CPR on Will in Season 1, the song returns during Season 4’s devastating finale.

The haunting vocals and gentle piano perfectly capture the fragility of life in the Stranger Things universe. When it plays over Eddie’s death and Max’s collapse, the song connects these tragedies across seasons, reminding viewers of everything these characters have endured.

Few musical choices in the series have created such emotional continuity, making this song particularly meaningful to longtime fans.

5. The NeverEnding Story — Limahl

Amid Season 3’s apocalyptic finale, this unexpected musical moment brings pure joy. Dustin and his long-distance girlfriend Suzie perform an impromptu radio duet of the fantasy film theme song while their friends wait impatiently.

The timing couldn’t be more hilariously inconvenient – the world is literally at stake. Yet this musical interlude serves a crucial plot purpose when Suzie reveals Planck’s constant, allowing the team to proceed with their mission.

The scene perfectly balances the show’s knack for 80s nostalgia with genuine character development, proving that even in darkest times, teenage romance finds a way.

6. Twist of Fate — Olivia Newton-John

The Snow Ball dance sequence captures everything wonderful about 80s teen movies. Olivia Newton-John’s upbeat track provides the perfect backdrop for Dustin’s dramatic entrance with his elaborately styled hair and confident swagger.

His initial rejection by the girls creates a genuinely heartfelt moment when Nancy steps in to dance with him. The song’s optimistic energy contrasts beautifully with the bittersweet undercurrent of these kids trying to reclaim normal teenage experiences after facing supernatural horrors.

This musical moment reminds viewers that beneath the monster-fighting and interdimensional adventures, Stranger Things is ultimately about growing up.

7. Should I Stay or Should I Go? — The Clash

In the dim glow of Will’s bedroom, he and Jonathan sit quietly, immersed in the crackle of “Should I Stay or Should I Go” spinning on the record player.

The music wraps them in a fragile moment of brotherly closeness, a brief reprieve from the tension beyond those walls. Later, as Jonathan drives away into the night, the echo of that song lingers in Will’s mind. It becomes more than background—memory, an anchor, something to cling to when he finds himself trapped.

The Clash’s rebellious energy transforms, in Will’s mind, into something desperate and loving. It’s a sonic thread connecting him to home, hope, and those he misses.

8. Go! — Tones on Tail

Basketball courts rarely witness showdowns as electrically charged as Steve and Billy’s confrontation. This post-punk track’s driving beat and eerie vocals perfectly capture the dangerous energy between the two rivals.

The camera work and music combine to transform a simple school sports scene into something almost predatory. Billy’s aggressive playing style and intimidating presence signal his importance to the season’s storyline, all enhanced by the song’s relentless rhythm.

What makes this musical moment special is how it uses an obscure 80s track rather than an obvious hit, demonstrating the show’s commitment to authentic period music beyond just nostalgic chart-toppers.

9. Every Breath You Take — The Police

The Police’s stalker anthem creates a masterful blend of sweetness and foreboding during the Snow Ball dance finale. Young couples sway to what seems like a romantic ballad, unaware of its creepy undertones – much like they’re unaware of the Mind Flayer looming over them.

Mike and Eleven’s tender dance captures their innocent romance, while the camera gradually pans upside down to reveal the shadow monster still watching Hawkins. Sting’s vocals about someone watching “every move you make” become chillingly literal.

This brilliant musical choice encapsulates the show’s ability to find the perfect song to bridge innocence and horror.

10. Kids — Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein

This synth-driven track from the original score is one of the most recognizable themes in Stranger Things. Heard most often in the first two seasons, it plays during scenes of the boys riding bikes, hanging out, or mending friendships after conflict.

Its shimmering melody captures the essence of Hawkins: equal parts youthful adventure and looming mystery. By pairing retro synth sounds with a supernatural edge, it perfectly reflects the series’ mix of nostalgia and suspense.

What makes “Kids” so memorable is its placement in heartfelt moments that spotlight the bond between the core group. Every time it swells in the background, it deepens the emotional pull of the scene and reminds viewers why the kids’ friendship anchors the show.

11. You Don’t Mess Around With Jim — Jim Croce

In Season 3, Episode 2, Chief Hopper sings “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” in his truck while driving to meet Joyce, casually tapping along to the classic.

This moment stands out because it shows a rare, lighter side of Hopper amid the tension and darkness surrounding Hawkins. His humming and occasional full-on singing give us a more human glimpse into a usually stoic character, reminding viewers that he carries emotional weight behind the badge.

Rather than feeling out of place, the song complements his mood, humanizing him. It’s a standout musical moment that deepens character while paying homage to a 70s favorite.

12. Heroes — Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel’s haunting cover of David Bowie’s anthem creates Season 1’s most devastating red herring. As a child’s body is recovered from the quarry, this slowed-down, stripped-back version turns triumph into tragedy.

The stark contrast between the hopeful lyrics about being “heroes just for one day” and the community’s grief creates powerful dramatic irony. Viewers feel Joyce’s conviction that this isn’t really her son, even as the town prepares for a funeral.

This musical moment exemplifies how Stranger Things transforms familiar songs into something new through context. Gabriel’s ethereal voice becomes the perfect soundtrack for a mother’s refusal to accept what everyone else believes is true.