How the ‘Stranger Things’ Finale Sparked a Surge in Spotify Streams, with Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ Coming Out on Top

Rise in Streaming for “Stranger Things” Finale Tracks Among Gen Z

In the aftermath of the Duffer Brothers’ critically acclaimed series finale of Stranger Things, which was over two hours long, listener engagement for select music tracks has dramatically surged—particularly among Gen Z listeners around the world. According to data from Spotify, this age group, defined as those between 13 and 29 years old, has shown a notable increase in streaming activity.

Prince’s iconic track “Purple Rain” saw an astonishing 1,341% rise in global streams among Gen Z from the release date of December 31 to January 7, marking a 608% increase overall. This spike illustrates the enduring impact of the series and its musical selections.

The finale prominently featured another Prince classic, “When Doves Cry.” This song registered a 576% increase in global streams for Gen Z, along with a 336% rise in general streams. The song played during a pivotal moment in the story, as a vinyl record counted down to a critical explosion in the narrative.

Matt Duffer explained the collaborative selection process for the finale’s music, noting the variety of contributions from cast and crew. “We asked everybody in the cast, all of our friends. Everybody weighed in. Everyone had different ideas,” he said. “Eventually we landed on ‘Purple Rain,’ but the concern with that was whether or not we were going to be able to get the rights. I mean, aside from Michael Jackson, it’s the hardest thing to do, to get Prince rights.”

The finale also boosted the streaming figures for other tracks. Cowboy Junkies’ “Sweet Jane” recorded a 663% increase for Gen Z and a 264% rise overall. David Bowie’s “Heroes” was streamed 227% more among Gen Z and saw an overall increase of 185%. Notably, “Here Comes Your Man” by the Pixies experienced a 129% rise in Gen Z streams, while Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” garnered a 58% increase in the same demographic.

The tracks chosen for Stranger Things not only underscore the series’ nostalgic appeal but have also catalyzed a renewed interest in these classic songs, further illustrating the power of music in storytelling.