Stranger Things and Soundtracks
Stranger Things and Soundtracks we love
Nostalgia is a powerful emotion. If you grew up as an 80s kid, there’s never really been a shortage of reminders of just how wonderful that decade was. I guess it's true about most decades that they come back in our movies, music, fashion and other media but it seems like the 80s are the leader in this specific race. Then again, it could be my biased opinion. Maybe I’ll chart it up one day and put my theory to test. For now, I’m happy enjoying the recent revival of some 80s hits.
When the Netflix show, Stranger Things first premiered in 2016 I remember thinking as I watched with my then 12 and 14 year olds that I might want to tone down my excitement about all the nostalgic references. I was afraid I’d turn them off to it if they started getting annoyed by my crazy enthusiasm. It was so much fun watching that first season and being transported to all those childhood memories. It felt like Goonies meets Ghostbusters sprinkled with all the best bits of our formative years. The games, the toys, the clothes, even the lifestyle like diet and parenting and of course the music. The theme itself and the original music played throughout the episodes was just so perfectly 80s with its heavy use of synthesizers and electronic sound. Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein of the Austin, Texas band, Survive composed the original Stranger Things music and did they ever score a home run. Sorry, pun intended but I couldn’t help myself there. The music is like an 80s video game turned sophisticated and brought to life to hypnotize and haunt you as you become transfixed with the story. There’s no escaping the emotion as you follow along with the friendships, rescues, romance, coming of age stories and all the anticipation in each episode. Fast forward to Season 4 and we find ourselves enjoying the magic of media bringing older hits back to the forefront of a new generation. For dedicated Kate Bush and Metallica fans these songs have never left the regular playlists but for many lucky younger viewers or fans of different musical genres this season has resurrected some great music and people everywhere are here for it. The first season, episode 2 end included ‘Hazy Shade of Winter’ by The Bangles and that was a huge treat for me to hear as I was such a fan and had every album by The Bangles back in the day. (Actually, one of my saddest childhood moments was losing my purse at Old Town. Inside the purse was among my other favorites the Different Light cassette tape The Bangles 1986 album.) The song was originally, ‘A Hazy Shade of Winter’ by Simon and Garfunkel but my adolescent heart really holds a place for the cover. Fast forward to season 4 and the hits and memories keep coming.
Season 4 includes ‘Running Up That Hill’ by Kate Bush as an anthem for character Max Mayfield and is used beautifully as a power song as she has an intense battle scene that includes emotional flashbacks, nail biting countdowns and leaves the audience on the edge of their seat as they wait to see if Max can pull her strength to the surface and without any spoilers I’ll say defeat the many obstacles she’s faced with. The song, originally released in August of 1985 had reached number 3 on UK’s Singles Chart and number 30 on Billboard Hot 100 in US. Today it is enjoying its fifth consecutive week in number one spot on Billboard UK Songs list. On the US Billboard Hot 100 the song is currently climbing the chart from last week’s number 6 to this week’s number 4 spot. It is so fun to watch and Bush has commented on her official website, “Whoooo Hooo everybody! I just can’t believe it - No. 1 for the third week. We’re all so excited! In fact it's all starting to feel a bit surreal…”. To read more or follow her and any future reactions see the attached link to her official site.
https://www.katebush.com/news/still-hill
Bush is not the only act to receive this type of revival. Metallica’s ‘Master of Puppets’ is the one that really takes me back to my High School days. Stranger Things’ Eddie Munson character who looks just like one of the most influential 80s rockers ever, Eddie Van Halen, also gets an epic moment with a huge 80s song. This time we get to see the character perform the song as part of the storyline. In a scene that looks like it could have been some kind of Upside Down with Game of Thrones, Eddie Munson absolutely kills it as he rocks out to ‘Master of Puppets’ while standing high on a roof plugged into an amp and shredding his heart out. Joseph Quinn who plays the role of Munson and actually also made an appearance in an episode of Game of Thrones says, for the most part he played the song himself. Although I was a senior in High School in 92-93, the four years of my HS experience had many a night watching my HS guy friends air guitar to this very song and the rest of the Metallica catalog. I actually made my way into a few cameo appearances in those sessions that often would look like a full blown Guitar Hero game with one kid playing air drums, one air bass, air “any instrument” just fill in the blank. Those were hilarious moments even though they weren’t meant to be at first. When you’re feeling the music and your body takes over and you want to join the band it's serious business but at some point it reaches hilarious levels and everyone gets crazy goofy. So many great memories involving Metallica. Super happy for them and their huge shout out due to this crazy popular show. It's great to see it play out for these artists. Thankfully the Duffer Brothers, Matt and Ross Duffer, twins who created Stranger Things didn’t give up after being rejected by many other networks to green light the now very successful show. This household is among the many eagerly awaiting the fifth and most likely final season. You see, I didn’t scare the kids off the show, they ended up surpassing me in the fan category and now there are more kiddos watching in our household. My 12 year old is the biggest fan here and left me in the dust when I stalled and couldn’t keep up with episodes. Stranger Things has earned its way into pop culture super status and we are enjoying watching its success. I wonder what songs will make the final season’s soundtrack.
