Two Prince Classics, One Iconic Finale
Over five season-long battles against otherworldly threats, Stranger Things has built a reputation for its impeccable musical moments. In the climactic finale, the show leaned on the unmistakable pulse of Prince to amplify the tension, emotion, and surreal energy of the last stand in Hawkins. Rather than simply providing soundtrack filler, the two Prince tracks became narrative instruments, advancing character arcs and grounding the viewer in a moment that balanced nostalgia with jaw-dropping spectacle.
Why Prince Was the Right Choice
The Duffer brothers have long used music to encode character and era, turning the Upside Down into a living mixtape of the 1980s. Prince’s catalog – with its fearless blend of funk, rock, and electro-pop – mirrors the series’ own genre-bending approach. The finale’s emotional core required a song that could carry both the fear of the unknown and the warmth of Hawkins’ shared history. Prince offered melodies that could lift a moment into something mythic while still feeling earned and intimate.
First Track: A Nostalgic Surge
The initial Prince selection hits with a surge of retro energy that aligns with the show’s late-80s aesthetic. It doesn’t merely accompany the action; it reframes it. The track’s brisk tempo and bright guitar lines push the adrenaline forward, signaling that the heroes are not only fighting a monster but rewriting the rules of their own story. For longtime viewers, this cue is a portal—an audible reminder of dances, arcade nights, and friendships forged in hazy summer air.
Second Track: A Quiet, Resolute Echo
As the battle reaches its most perilous moment, a second Prince song settles over the scene with a different weight. This choice leans into vulnerability: a sonic testament to the losses endured and the bonds that kept the group together. The contrast between the two tracks—one that sparks a sprint of action and another that lingers with resolve—gives the finale a narrative cadence reminiscent of classic film scoring. It’s a reminder that triumphs in Stranger Things are never just about defeating a foe; they’re about the people who survive it.
How Music Shapes the Show’s Legacy
From the opening glow of a Demogorgon-era playground to the hazy glow of a final showdown, Stranger Things has used music to anchor memory. Prince’s involvement in the finale isn’t merely a nod to the 1980s; it’s a deliberate tool to evoke shared cultural memory while driving the story forward. The tracks act as emotional accelerants, heightening suspense during the most dangerous moments and offering reflective beats when characters reckon with what they’ve endured. In essence, Prince’s songs function as seasonal chapters themselves, each one closing with a note that lingers long after the screen fades.
What This Means for Soundtracking in the Future
This pairing of Prince’s catalog with a high-stakes finale demonstrates the power of curated music in premium television. It shows that a well-chosen artist can become a co-author of the scene, guiding viewers through fear, nostalgia, and hope. For fans, the experience is double-layered: the immediate thrill of the action and the satisfying resonance of a soundtrack that speaks in cultural shorthand you’ve carried with you for decades.
In short, Stranger Things’ finale didn’t just end a season; it closed a chapter in television music history. The two Prince tracks didn’t simply accompany the climactic scenes—they amplified them, leaving fans with a lasting impression of how a song can crystallize a moment and make it unforgettable.
