Stranger Things Season 5 Ignites '70s & '80s Music Revival

The return of "Stranger Things" for its fifth and final season has once again demonstrated the show's power to revive classic music. Early episodes have driven significant gains for '70s and '80s hits, with Diana Ross' "Upside Down" seeing a 373% surge in streams. Other beneficiaries include ABBA's "Fernando" and Tiffany's cover of "I Think We're Alone Now," alongside tracks like Michael Jackson's "Rockin' Robin" and The Chordettes' "Mr. Sandman."

Beyond television, social media platforms are creating their own music trends. A dance challenge on TikTok for Louisiana rapper H3adband's song "Boo" has led to an 1,882% increase in streams over three weeks, bringing the artist national recognition. Similarly, She & Him's 2008 ballad "I Thought I Saw Your Face Today" is experiencing a viral resurgence on TikTok through emotional video edits.

Another viral phenomenon stems from funeral performances, which have lifted Neace Robinson's song "I Wish That Heaven Had a Phone" out of obscurity. The song's ad-lib before the chorus has become a meme, contributing to an 874% surge in streams in one week. These diverse trends highlight the multifaceted ways music gains traction in the current media landscape.