The series finale sends Prince classics up 1,341 percent in streaming. The Duffer brothers reveal: Choosing the song for “Stranger Things” was really that hard.
The last episode of the hit series “Stranger Things” also made use of so-called needle drops – popular songs are incorporated into scenes to underline them, intensify emotions or create a certain mood. In the past, the songs selected for the cult series achieved massive streaming success on Spotify, particularly among Generation Z between the ages of 13 and 29. These tracks stood out in the season finale, the selection process was difficult for the Duffer brothers.
In the period from January 31st to January 7th, 2026 – one week after the release of the eighth and final episode of “Stranger Things” – streaming numbers on Spotify exploded among Gen Z users and therefore worldwide. It all starts with two hits by Prince from 1984.
Prince songs were chosen for key scenes
The first Prince song to play on record in the 128-minute finale as the time counted down to the destruction of The Upside Down was “When Doves Cry.” After appearing in the final episode, the track saw an increase in Gen Z views of 576 and 336 percent worldwide. “Purple Rain,” used at the end of the final “Stranger Things” episode, saw a 1,341 percent increase in Gen Z streaming on Spotify, with overall global views of the song increasing by 608 percent.
The Duffer brothers, Matt and Ross, explained in an interview with Deadline how difficult it was for them to decide on key scenes in the series finale: “We thought for a long time about what should be played on the bomb vinyl. I don’t think we discussed any other song as much as this one because it was really a big challenge because the first song on the vinyl had to be optimistic and hopeful,” said Matt Duffer. And added that “the last song had to fit Eleven’s farewell”.
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More songs that made it to the season finale
Cowboy Junkies’ “Sweet Jane” is the second most-streamed song from the finale, with a 663 percent increase in Gen Z and 264 percent in overall global plays.
David Bowie’s “‘Heroes'” saw a 227 percent increase in views among Gen Z and a 185 percent increase in global streams. A cast member of the series suggested using this song as the soundtrack for the final episode of the Netflix production. According to Tudum, it was Joe Keery who approached the Duffer brothers with this idea. The actor played the role of Steve Harrington for a good ten years. “Heroes” was also a popular track for the series developers in seasons 1 and 3, but in Peter Gabriel’s version. The creators of Stranger Things used the cover to highlight significant character deaths – which later turned out to be illusions.
“Here Comes Your Man” by the Pixies also received a significant boost in views of 129 percent in Generation Z streams and 108 percent in global plays.
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Pre-order now: Exclusive 7-inch single “Baltimore”/“Stare” by Prince in MUSIKEXPRRESS 03/26
We are opening the year 2026 with a unique and extraordinary collaboration: on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of his death, ROLLING STONE and MUSIKEXPRESS are releasing two world-exclusive vinyl singles by Prince.
A few months before his death, the genius of the century had recorded two albums that once again show him in top form and will be re-released in the new year: “HITnRUN Phase I” and “Phase II”. These were to remain his last works. For “Phase I” he worked with singers such as Rita Ora and Lianne La Havas. “Phase II” shows him as a political observer of his time.
The March issue of MUSIKEXPRESS features a second world exclusive Prince single: “Baltimore” / “Stare”, two songs from HITnRUN Phase II. Prince wrote the ballad-like “Baltimore” under the impression of racist police violence in the USA. Both editions are also available HERE together in a bundle at the special price of EUR 19.90.
Included in delivery: MUSIKEXPRESS issue 03/2026 + exclusive Prince 7″ vinyl single