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Cathal Gunning
Published 42 minutes ago
Cathal Gunning has been writing about movies, television, culture, and politics online and in print since 2017. He worked as a Senior Editor in Adbusters Media Foundation from 2018-2019 and wrote for WhatCulture in early 2020. He has been a Senior Features Writer for ScreenRant since 2020.
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Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
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Explain it like I’m 5
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Warning: Spoilers ahead for Stranger Things season 5, Volume 1.
Every season of Stranger Things features a couple of iconic songs from the ‘80s and earlier, but season 5 volume 1 went all out with hits from ABBA, The Jackson Five, and Diana Ross, among others. The long-awaited arrival of Stranger Things season 5, volume 1, is finally upon us, and the final chapter of Netflix’s iconic sci-fi series is no letdown.
The show’s blend of small-town mystery, horror, sci-fi, and character drama is as effective as ever, as is its ‘80s nostalgia. By the end of Stranger Things season 5, volume 1, viewers have been played a veritable mixtape of songs in the series. Interestingly, this season’s soundtrack pulls from the ‘80s, ‘70s, ‘60s, and even the ‘50s in episode 4.
Song Title
Artist
Episode Number
"Should I Stay or Should I Go"
The Clash
1
"Rockin' Robin"
The Jackson Five
1
"Upside Down"
Diana Ross
1
"Running Up That Hill"
Kate Bush
1, 2, 4
"Fernando"
ABBA
2
"Mr Sandman"
The Chordettes
2
"I Think We're Alone Now"
Tiffany
3
"Oh Yeah"
Yello
3
"The Great Escape Main Theme"
Elmer Bernstein
4
"Sh-Boom"
The Chords
4
Episode 1
Will Byers in the Upside Down during Stranger Things 5 flashback
"Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash - Will Byers sings this iconic punk classic to himself in episode 1’s opening scene as he huddles alone in Castle Byers. Jonathan introduced him to the song back in season 1, and it brings him some limited solace before the Demogorgon discovers his hiding place.
Notably, the song itself isn’t played this time. Instead, it’s just a lonely Will offering an a cappella version of the track to soothe himself, before a Demogorgon chases him up a tree and drags him to Vecna’s lair.
“Rockin’ Robin” by The Jackson Five - The first song to be played through in Stranger Things season 5, volume 1, is queued up by the Hawkins gang’s motor-mouthed music nerd. Robin plays this festive classic in her role as Hawkins’ resident radio DJ, before dedicating the next song to her secret girlfriend. Sadly, viewers don’t get to hear this unidentified rock track before the reception cuts out.
“Upside Down” by Diana Ross - Diana Ross’s “Upside Down” Motown classic serves as a code for the gang as they assemble their plan for the episode’s titular Crawl in, appropriately enough, The Upside-Down. Robin’s fun facts about the song, although true, also serve as coded messages for Hopper, Joyce, Lucas, Eleven, Dustin, Mike, and Will.
“Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush - The standout song from Stranger Things season 4, Kate Bush’s classic anthem plays on the tape that Will hands Lucas in the hospital. This is the first of many times the track plays in season 5, volume 1, acting as a callback to Max’s iconic escape from Vecna back in season 4.
Episode 2
Nancy in Stranger Things season 5Image via Netflix
“Fernando” by ABBA - This ‘70s disco classic plays as Holly Wheeler’s mother, Karen, prepares herself a bath, with the music muffling her daughter’s screams as the Demogorgon attacks the house. At first, the music is loud enough for Karen to assume Holly’s rantings about a monster are all a bad dream, but soon the Demogorgon debunks this comforting theory.
“Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush - Bush’s track returns in episode 2, “The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler,” as Lucas tearfully begs his comatose girlfriend to return to consciousness for the first time since the Stranger Things season 4 finale. Episode 4 reveals that Max had almost returned to consciousness before when Lucas played her the track, but never quite made it out of Vecna’s mind prison.
“Mr Sandman" by The Chordettes - This ‘60s track is used to creepy effect in the closing credits of episode 2 as the series reveals that Holly’s previously unseen imaginary friend “Mr Whatsit” is, in reality, Henry Creel/Vecna.
Episode 3
Dustin in Stranger Things season 5Image via Netflix
"I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany - Holly plays this ‘80s pop jam while she is, fittingly, alone in the Creel House. Her stay is briefly idyllic, and Henry’s gift of a tape player and the Tiffany cassette helps the villain gain her trust. The song fades out as a shadowy figure rings the doorbell repeatedly, later revealed to be Holly’s fellow inhabitant of the Upside-Down, Max.
“Oh Yeah” by Yello - This song, made famous by the soundtrack of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, plays when Stranger Things supporting star Dustin realizes he can modify Steve’s beloved car instead of their bulkier van to pursue the Demogorgon in the Upside-Down. Much to Steve’s chagrin, it is his beloved Beamer that ends up getting a massive antenna screwed into its roof.
Episode 4
Eleven looks scared in Stranger Things season 5
Theme from The Great Escape by Elmer Bernstein - The Great Escape Main Theme, composed by Elmer Bernstein, begins playing when Robin starts explaining her plan to smuggle Derek into the military base. She references this classic war movie, and, as she does, Elmer Bernstein’s iconic score plays over the tunnel planning sequence.
“Sh Boom” by The Chords - As Max walks into Henry’s memories of Hawkins High School in 1959, this ‘50s classic plays. The song sets the scene, reminding viewers that Vecna was once a schoolmate of Hopper, Joyce, and even Steve Harrington's father.
“Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush - Max explains to Holly that she heard Bush’s song playing over Vecna’s memory of his first massacre's aftermath. The song guides her out of the blood-soaked facility and into a safer, warmer memory where she has survived since. The song plays one late time when Max revisits her fateful standoff with Vecna and sees Lucas sitting by her hospital bed.
Fittingly, it is the last song played in season 5, volume 1, with the track recurring numerous times throughout episode 4. The remainder of the episode doesn’t feature any more songs, but it does have the iconic Stranger Things synth score throughout.
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Stranger Things
10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-14 Drama Mystery Horror Science Fiction Release Date 2016 - 2025-00-00 Network Netflix Showrunner Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer Directors Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz Writers Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock
7 Images
Eleven looking into an opening of the Upside Down with pink light in Stranger Things season 1
Jim Hopper (David Harbour) grabbing Jonathan's (Charlie Heaton) shoulders in Stranger Things season 1©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Eleven with cables all over her head in Stranger Things season 4
Vecna looking towards Will in the trailer for Stranger Things season 5 (2025)
Max and Eleven in Stranger ThingsNetflix
Stranger Things season 2, episode 2 "Trick or Treat, Freak".MovieStillsDB
The Upside Down in Stranger Things season 5Courtesy of Netflix Close
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Millie Bobby Brown
Jane 'Eleven' Hopper
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Mike Wheeler
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We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Do you think using well-known songs from past decades enhances the nostalgic atmosphere of Stranger Things, or does it sometimes feel too on-the-nose?
Cathal
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42 minutes ago
Some viewers may appreciate how the iconic songs from the '80s and earlier decades add to the show's nostalgic charm, effectively transporting them back in time. Others, however, might find the song choices too obvious or overused, potentially detracting from the originality of the series. The effectiveness of the music selection may depend on individual preferences and how well the songs are integrated into the story
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