'Stranger Things' Season 5: Spotify drops special playlist before premiere
What's the story
Ahead of the much-anticipated release of Stranger Things Season 5, Spotify is launching a unique musical experience called the Stranger Things Musical Time Machine. The feature will highlight five iconic songs in total from the Netflix series, including hits like The Clash's Should I Stay Or Should I Go and Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God).
Feature details
'Stranger Things' musical time machine: A journey through music
The Stranger Things Musical Time Machine became available on Spotify from Monday, ahead of Season 5's premiere on Thursday morning (India). The feature will take fans on a journey through five major needle drops in total, with two songs from Season 4. A slideshow similar to Spotify Wrapped will serve as a time capsule for these iconic tracks.
Song analysis
Spotify's 'Stranger Things' feature: A deeper dive into song meanings
Spotify, in collaboration with Netflix, has also provided commentary on the deeper meanings of these songs in relation to their scenes. For instance, The Clash's Should I Stay Or Should I Go is interpreted as a "lyrical debate over staying with an indecisive lover" that mirrors Will Byers's (Noah Schnapp) predicament between realms. Similarly, The Police's Every Breath You Take takes on a sinister tone as it plays during Eleven and Mike's date at the Snow Ball, with the Mind Flayer watching over them.
Playlist popularity
'Stranger Things' playlists on Spotify: A global phenomenon
Spotify revealed that over 2,05,000 Stranger Things-themed playlists have been created worldwide, featuring these songs and more. The streaming platform also recorded significant spikes in streams of these tracks after their respective episodes aired. For instance, Bush's anthem saw a staggering 10,769% increase in streams following its Season 4 debut.
Playlist update
'Stranger Things' official playlist to be updated for Season 5
The Stranger Things Official Playlist on Spotify will also be updated with new music from the Season 5 soundtrack. Fans can expect a personalized playlist cover featuring a character from the show based on their music tastes. The feature will be available starting Monday at 7:00am ET (5:30pm IST).