David Bowie’s legendary 1977 masterpiece, “Heroes,” is enjoying a massive resurgence across global streaming platforms. This newfound momentum follows its poignant inclusion in the series finale of Netflix’s Stranger Things, which premiered on December 31.
According to recent data from Luminate, the track experienced a nearly 500% spike in listenership after serving as the musical backdrop for the show’s final credits. The surge highlights the show’s enduring power to influence modern music charts through nostalgia-driven storytelling.
In the months leading up to the finale, “Heroes” maintained a steady average of approximately 94,000 daily streams. However, those figures skyrocketed immediately following the release: reaching 342,000 streams on January 1, and peaking at roughly 470,000 by January 3. This represents a staggering fivefold increase over its typical performance.
The musical choice served as a nostalgic bookend for the series, which has been inextricably linked with 1980s culture since its debut. While earlier seasons famously featured Peter Gabriel’s orchestral cover of the song, the Duffers opted for Bowie’s original recording to provide a sense of finality and authenticity to the conclusion.
During an interview with Netflix’s Tudum, creators Matt and Ross Duffer revealed that the decision to pivot to the original Bowie version was inspired by cast member Joe Keery, who plays Steve Harrington.
“It was actually Joe Keery who suggested that we do the Bowie version,” Ross Duffer explained. “Once Joe said that, we immediately knew that was the right song to end the show on because it is, in some ways, an anthem for Stranger Things. To use the original Bowie version just felt fitting for the conclusion.”
Keery himself is reaping the rewards of the “Stranger Things effect.” His musical project, Djo, has seen a massive revival; his 2022 track “End of Beginning” recently climbed to the No. 1 spot on Spotify’s Global Chart, even displacing major contemporary pop hits.
This isn’t the first time the show has breathed new life into vintage catalog tracks. Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” became a global phenomenon in 2022 following Season Four, and the series finale looks to repeat that success with other legends. Prince’s “Purple Rain” has also seen a 243% increase in Spotify streams, with Gen Z listeners driving a remarkable 577% surge in interest.
The Duffer Brothers emphasized that selecting the right music was critical for the finale’s emotional weight. “We never talked about a song choice as much as we did for that moment,” Ross Duffer added. “We knew we needed an epic needle drop… and there’s nothing really more epic than Prince and Bowie.”
