Whether you loved or hated Stranger Things, there’s no denying its impact on music nostalgia. The show has rekindled a love for Prince, drawing listeners back to his iconic tracks.
According to Variety, Spotify streams for Prince’s timeless tracks “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry” skyrocketed by 243% and 200%, respectively. For Gen Z listeners, these songs saw a whopping 577% increase for “Purple Rain” and 128% for “When Doves Cry.” Overall, streams of Prince’s entire catalog jumped by 190%, with Gen Z alone fueling an 88% increase.
The Purple Rain soundtrack, considered one of the greatest albums ever, features tracks that have not appeared on television since Prince’s own film. This makes the Stranger Things finale even more special.
Co-creator Ross Duffer mentioned that they realized they needed an “epic needle drop” when a record would trigger a bomb during a climactic battle in the series finale. He confidently stated, “There’s nothing really more epic than Prince.”
In conversation, Matt Duffer highlighted that the show’s earlier success with Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” opened doors to potentially securing music from Prince’s estate. Music supervisor Nora Felder cautioned them that getting approval would be a challenging task. When the brothers approached her with their idea, they aimed for two songs from 1987 or earlier, both from the same artist, and of course, they had Prince in mind before filming even began.
Felder described her vision of how the tracks would play during a poignant scene: “I’ve been doing this for 20 years, but there’s still always a first.” While she initially suggested another classic artist for the scene, they all ultimately decided to press on with Prince, leading to what was described as a “grueling” wait for the estate’s approval, which came just days before shooting began.
The substantial rise in Prince’s music streams proves the decision to feature his songs was the right move. Netflix’s placement of “When Doves Cry” and “Purple Rain” as second and third on the show’s latest Spotify playlist further solidifies this connection.
How did ‘Stranger Things’ revive interest in Prince’s music?
The show’s finale featured epic tracks from Prince during pivotal moments, leading to a dramatic resurgence in stream counts across various demographics.
What impact did the finale have on Spotify streams?
Streams for “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry” increased significantly, especially among Gen Z listeners, highlighting the enduring appeal of Prince’s music.
Why were Prince’s songs chosen for the finale?
The Duffer brothers aimed for an “epic needle drop” that only Prince could provide, recognizing the emotional weight his songs added to the scene.
How long has it been since Prince’s songs were featured in TV?
These particular tracks have not seen the small screen since Prince’s film of the same name, making their inclusion in Stranger Things a nostalgic highlight.
What does this mean for the future of classic music in shows?
With such a successful revival of interest, we might see more classic tracks being featured in contemporary shows, bringing nostalgia to new audiences.
Fans of both the show and Prince can reflect on the profound connections between music and storytelling. What is your favorite Prince song? Leave a comment below and let’s chat!