Photo Credit: Netflix
While Stranger Things has always been defined by its 80s synth-pop aesthetic, it was a 1977 masterpiece by David Bowie that provided the final emotional heartbeat for the series. Following the release of the series finale on New Year’s Day, Bowie’s “Heroes” has enjoyed a massive resurgence, seeing an unprecedented 500 percent spike in streams as fans revisit the track that defined the show’s conclusion.
The Evolution of a Theme
“Heroes” has haunted the narrative of Stranger Things since the beginning. A 2010 orchestral cover by Peter Gabriel was used in earlier seasons to underscore moments of loss and mystery. However, for the final credits of the last-ever episode, show creators opted to return to the source.
Co-creator Ross Duffer revealed that the choice to use the original 1977 version came from an unlikely source: cast member Joe Keery (who plays Steve Harrington and records music as Djo). “Once Joe said that, we immediately knew that was the right song to end the show on,” Duffer said. “To use the original Bowie version just felt right and fitting for the conclusion.”
A Data-Driven Resurgence
The impact of this “sync” placement was immediate and staggering. According to Luminate data, “Heroes” had averaged a steady 94,000 daily streams over the last five months. Following the New Year’s Day premiere, those numbers skyrocketed:
- January 1: 342,000 plays
- January 2: 456,000 plays
- January 3: 470,000 plays
By January 5, the track had achieved a 5x increase over its daily average. The surge echoes the 2022 phenomenon of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” reaffirming that the original Bowie anthem remains the definitive “Anthem of Hawkins.”
A Timely Legacy
This renewed interest comes at a significant moment for the late icon’s estate. Next week marks the 10th anniversary of David Bowie’s death, an occasion being commemorated with a major event at the British Library in London. With legendary producer Tony Visconti and artist Jehnny Beth set to attend, the Stranger Things finale has ensured that Bowie’s most famous call for courage is once again at the center of the cultural conversation.
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