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Oh, come on, baby. Oh, come on, darling. Let me RANK these moments for you now.
Stranger Things Season 4 had some pretty EPIC moments, and most of them were underscored by some pretty iconic ’80s songs.
So I ranked all of the most important musical moments from the whole season, because it simply needed to be done. Let’s go!
**WARNING: MAJOR, And I mean MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD**
16.
“Travelin’ Man” by Ricky Nelson
Netflix
What a jaunty little song for a kidnapping! We’re having a good ol’ time as Yuri loads Joyce and Murray into his plane to sell them as prisoners to the Russian government. And that’s fun!
15.
“Object of My Desire” by Starpoint
Netflix
This song has energy and drive! And lets us know we have love interests, honey! It was the perfect backdrop for one of Steve’s greatest lines, “I like boobies. You like boobies. Vickie likes boobies!” Hehehehe.
14.
“Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth
Netflix
Oh wasn’t this a fun little moment of comedy? The Byers home is getting absolutely shot to shit by secret government agents and Argyle is just boppin’ to his stoner music, so unaware of the adventure that lay before him. You have to laugh.
13.
“Wipeout” by The Surfaris
Netflix
Honestly, I wanted to rate this the lowest because the MOMENT blowssssssss. It’s so hard to watch. Why are kids so mean? I’m still scared of them, tbh! But this song is so gooooood! If you’re mad, just remember that Angela gets hers in the end and feel better. (But actually that scene made me physically ill.)
12.
“Every Breath You Take” by The Police
Netflix
Oh, you think everything is going to be ok now that we’re back at the Snow Ball? Well think again, sweetie! Vecna literally said “I’ll be watchin’ you!” EVERY step you take. EVERY move you make. Honestly this song is starting to creep me the F out.
11.
“California Dreamin'” by The Beach Boys
Netflix
This song was really effective here! It’s a certified bop, but also has a sort of sad, melancholic feeling to it that really portrays Elle’s struggle of feeling so out of place in CaLiFoRniA, but wanting to appear like she’s thriving. (Ok, wow. I guess I’m a music critic!)
10.
“Up Around the Bend” by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Netflix
The last two eps of Season 4 are TENSE! But this one (1) moment of levity was perfectly underscored by CCR. Is it a little messed up to steal a motorhome? Sure. But let the girls have a little fun! I also really enjoyed Robin’s line, “It’s not every day you lose your house and car in one fell swoop.” It’s really not!
9.
“Detroit Rock City” by KISS
Netflix
Episode 1 has a LOT of songs in it, but this moment was one of the best! Cutting back and forth between the Hawkins High basketball game and The Hellfire Club’s DnD campaign was F-U-N! The stakes had never been higher! (JK, everyone has almost died like 100 times). BUT, the song was really working here.
8.
“Fire And Rain” by James Taylor
Netflix
I feel like I’m gonna get shit for this, so go tear me apart in the comments, BUT I LOVED THIS MOMENT SO MUCH!! These two ANGELS talking about their futures was so sweeeeeet. Do I think they should end up together/Nancy should have 6 kids? Not necessarily. But it’s a great song and these two clearly have a bond! Come on, the world is ending, can’t you let these teens dream??
7.
“Dream A Little Dream of Me” by Ella Fitzgerald
Netflix
I used to really love this song, but hahahahaha. I’ll never hear it the same way again ahahahaha. Omg, somebody help me I’m scared hahahahah. AHHHHHHH!
6.
“Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” by Kate Bush
Netflix
This song is everything. The way they use it throughout the season is PURE BRILLIANCE. The first time we hear it, we get a little look into Max’s new world without Billy, without her friends, and without Lucas. It’s LONELY AF. This song lets us know just how much she’s up against. We’ve always been rootin’ for ya, girl!
5.
“Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” by Journey
Netflix
THIS. MOMENT!!!! We’re on our way to fight Vecna. We’re going to Murder House™. We’re giving everyone their last looks. And I don’t know about you, but I was a lil’ stressed out here because I thought literally every character was going to die.
Thought he was gonna die.
Thought she was gonna die. Then she did. :'(
Wasn’t too worried about her dying, but you never know!
Definitely thought he was gonna die, and hated being right. Whyyyyyyyy :”'(
Was too distracted by whatever this outfit was to think he was gonna die. But maybe in the back of my mind.
Felt like they couldn’t possibly let her die, but they made it seem like maybe!!
Did prayer circles with my witch friends to make sure she didn’t die. You’re welcome.
And then Max bravely faces her fate. Like, what a fearless little badass.
And then it all crescendos with this final shot of the Creel House and says, “You ready for the finale, b*tch?”
Netflix
We, in fact, were not ready.
4.
Master Of Puppets
Netflix
This scene was coo-coo bananas fun!! Wowie wowie wow. Eddie just WAILING on his guitar, luring all the Demobats away from Vecna’s lair so Nancy and Co. could fuck his shit up. And there couldn’t be more going on in this scene!
Max is trying to escape the prison in her own mind. Relatable.
Vecna is looming around every goddamn corner rasping, “Maxiiiiiiiine.” So off-putting.
Literal shit tons of Demobats are on the move and they did not come to play, they came to slay. But like for real.
Oh good! Jason’s here! Just what we needed!
Why not throw a horrifying memory of Billy into the mix? Might as well!
But at the end of the day this scene was EPIQUÉ! And Eddie is an angel and a rockstar, and we’ll hold him in our hearts ’til the end of time.
3.
“Stranger Things Theme (Orchestral Arrangement)”
Netflix
Talk about a musical moment that gave me the chilly-willies!! The gang is finally back together in Hawkins, but there’s a catch: there’s kinda sort of a Hellmouth open in the middle of town. Whoops! But then the Stranger Things theme begins to play and swell, and we get last looks of all of our faves.
Like Karen Wheeler, who said, “I’d like a larger role in Season 5 plz.” And we said, “Yes, Mawmaw! Us too!” (And Holly was also there).
Erica and Lucas gave each other knowing looks, like “What if we just peaced? Lol. …But like what if?”
These three took a break from PB&J duty and I’m not sure they asked.
Dustin got a shot all to himself. Lil’ diva.
Elle was pissed about the flowers. Anything but the flowers.
Mike and Will showed us all that gays and straights really can be friends. Who knew?
Joyce and Hopper were perfect and I made no jokes about them because I love them too much.
And then we got this shot and all collectively pissed ourselves.
Netflix
Oh yeah, and now a lot of violins were playing. We loved it!
2.
“Running Up That Hill Reprise I” by Kate Bush
Netflix
Were you mad earlier when you thought I rated this song number 6? Hahaha. Gotcha, bitch! What a little scamp am I. But let’s get serious here. This moment was JAW DROPPING!!!!!! Give “Dear Billy” an Emmy NOW. Let’s not wait. I don’t think I took a single breath during this entire sequence!
None as she ran up that hill.
Or when she made a deal with god.
Ok, we can breathe again.
Netflix
I was completely emotionally dismantled when these four collapsed into a pile of friendship, and I couldn’t quite believe what we had been through. We felt so safe, didn’t we? What fools we were back then. Not knowing what would come next. But god bless Kate Bush. And speaking of Kate Bush…
1.
“Running Up That Hill Reprise II” by Kate Bush
Netflix
Here she is again! Hahaha. Bet you were like “But wait, if THIS is number 2, what’s number 1?” But you forgot how many times this song was used. And THIS time specifically was music PERFECTION! Blending in the Stranger Things theme with this absolute classic gave us something we didn’t even know we could ask for!
