Was the 80s the perfect decade to grow up in? From riding bikes all day with your friends to winding down to MTV’s best music videos, the 80s seems like a dream. It was a decade of vibrance, with colorful clothes and hats everywhere you look. When the Netflix series, Stranger Things, premiered for the first time, it didn’t just create a new fandom; it resurrected an entire decade. Suddenly, kids and teens who weren’t even close to being alive in the 80s were talking about walkie-talkies, arcades, and Metallica.
While the show’s inter-dimensional monsters and attractive cast pull viewers in, its real hook is its nostalgia. The Duffer Brothers, the creators of Stranger Things, built the world of Hawkins, Indiana, using everything from classic 80s hairstyles, the scare of the Cold War with Russia, and vintage movie references to help a new generation discover a decade they never lived through.
Bringing Music Back
From the very first episode, the show immerses its audience in 80s culture. The clothes, the references, and the music makes the show feel authentic. Even the way the kids ride their bikes in formation mirrors classic films like E.T. and The Goonies. These details create a sense of familiarity, even for those who didn’t grow up in the era.
Music was the most instrumental part of the whole show. Songs like “Running Up That Hill” and “Should I Stay or Should I Go” shot back up the charts decades after their release. Artists who dominated the 80s suddenly found new life thanks to modern teenagers streaming their music. Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” regained its popularity after Eddie Munson’s iconic guitar scene with the bats. The song shot to the top of Billboard’s Top TV Songs, and Journey’s “Separate Ways (World’s Apart)” appeared in the Top 4 Billboard’s Top TV Songs.
In the show itself, we find out that music can reach parts of the brain that words can’t. Music saved Max from Vecna’s spell, and it helped the dementia patients at the fictional Pennhurst Mental hospital unlock memories and emotion. The music used also created an overall retro atmosphere that gave nostalgic chills and feelings. Thus, music is one of the most monumental and key parts in the Stranger Things franchise, creating a nostalgic feel and instantly transporting viewers into the 1980s. I think we can all agree that the music supervisor, Nora Felder, definitely deserves a raise.
A Cultural Phenomenon
Stranger Things didn’t just recreate the 80s, it turned it into a trend again. It sparked conversations between generations, connected families through shared references and crazy plot twists, and proved that a well-crafted story can revive an entire decade. Thanks to Stranger Things, the 80s are not only remembered, but they’re also cool all over again. So, get to watching, the new season just dropped, and it is nostalgic.
