Operating under an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mantra, Stranger Things season 4 is absolutely packed with ’80s-set science fiction, horror, and adventure. Once again, our heroic kids from Hawkins (with a few of them now relocated to Lenora Hills, California) must confront a mystery from the Upside Down. In this case, who is this demonic wizard Vecna and why is he so hopelessly addicted to breaking human bodies? In addition to all of the usual fun plotting though, a new season of Stranger Things means a new batch of old music. Though creators The Duffer Brothers were born in 1984 and probably don’t remember a hell of a lot of the 1980s, they seem to have a preternatural understanding of what makes the decade so appealing. That comes through in the many time-specific Easter eggs littered throughout the season but more importantly it comes through the music. Music is a big deal in Stranger Things season 4. The California crew visits a local roller rink where they hear a bunch of exciting ’80s hits. Not only that but a couple songs in particular serve important roles in the actual plot. With that in mind, we’d thought it would be helpful to have a spot to bring together all of the music heard on Stranger Things season 4. Below you can find a Spotify list that we curated, which will be updated with any songs we missed (and feel free to let us know!)
Episode 1
“California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and the Papas“Object of My Desire” by Starpoint“Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush“I Was a Teenage Werewolf” by The Cramps“Play With Me” by Extreme“Chica Mejanita” by Mae Arnette“Detroit Rock City” by Kiss“The Red Army Is The Strongest” by The Red Army Choir“Got Your Number” by The Lloyd Langton Group“Fever” by The Cramps
Episode 2
“You Spin Me Round” by Dead or Alive“Rock Me Amadeus” by Falco“Diamonds and Emeralds” by The Interior Castle“Burning Up” by Donnell Pitman“Tarzan Boy” by Baltimora“Wipe Out” by The Surfaris“Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads
Episode 3
“Guardian Angel” by Fergus MacRoy
Episode 4
“Hard Feelings” by Al Kerbey“Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth“Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy“Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong“Legless” by Hipbone Slim
Episode 5
“Travelin’ Man” by Rick Nelson “Quand le bien-aimé reviendra” by Dalayrac“David Searches” by Arthur B. Rubinstein (Wargames Soundtrack)“Time’s Up” – Arthur B. Rubinstein (Wargames Soundtrack)
Episode 6
“Cutthroat” – S U R V I V E“The Snow Maiden: Chorus of the People and the Courtiers” by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed by the Russian State Orchestra and the Russian State Chorus, conducted by Andrey Chistiakov
Episode 7
“Prophecies” – Philip Glass“Akhnaten Act 1, Scene 3: The Window of Appearances” – Philip Glass“Akhnaten, Act II, Scene 2, Akhnaten and Nefertiti” – Philip Glass
Episode 8
“Up Around the Bend” by Creedence Clearwater“Fire And Rain” by James Taylor“Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo” by Rick Derringer
Episode 9
“Master of Puppets” by Metallica“Every Breath You Take” by The Police“When It’s Cold I’d Like to Die” by Moby“Spellbound” by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Additionally, a revamped version of Journey’s “Separate Ways” accompanied the season 4 trailer and was released as a single prior to the soundtrack’s arrival. It would go on to be featured in episode 8 “Papa.” In keeping with the precedent set by previous seasons, Legacy Recordings has made the soundtrack available for purchase on the day of season 4’s release. The digital version of the soundtrack is out now while CD and cassette editions will be released on Sept. 9. A limited edition vinyl will arrive later in 2022. The soundtrack is produced by Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, and Timothy J. Smith. Stranger Things season 4 volume 1 is available to stream on Netflix now. Volume 2 of the season, consisting of two super-sized episodes, will arrive on July 1.
