'Stranger Things' Season Five Premiere Boosts ABBA, Diana Ross, Kate Bush Songs to Double or Triple Popularity

The fifth season of Netflixs hit sci-fi series Stranger Things has officially premiered, bringing a fresh wave of '70s and '80s music to fans playlists and streaming services. As usual for the show, music is tightly woven into the story, and viewers are responding by increasing streams for featured tracks.

Diana Ross disco hit "Upside Down", heard as a secret radio transmission in episode one, saw the largest surge, climbing 373% to 953,000 on-demand streams in the first four days of tracking. ABBAs 1970s classic "Fernando" rose 206% to 615,000 streams, while Tiffanys cover of Tommy James "I Think Were Alone Now" jumped 289% to 1.3 million streams.

Other tracks also experienced significant growth: Michael Jacksons 1972 version of "Rockin Robin", featured as Maya Hawkes Robin characters radio show theme, rose 218% to 187,000 streams. The Chordettes 1954 hit "Mr. Sandman" climbed 173% to 564,000 streams. Kate Bushs "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" continues to resonate, increasing 110% to 2.7 million streams and re-entering the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart at No. 15.

H3adbands 'Boo' Gains Popularity Through TikTok Dance Challenge

Baton Rouge rapper H3adband saw his track "Boo" explode on streaming platforms after a TikTok dance challenge went viral. Since its October 14 release, the track has risen 1,882% in official U.S. on-demand streams over three weeks. By late November, streams reached nearly one million, fueled by users replicating the dance, including appearances from influencers and celebrities.

She & Him Find Seasonal Resurgence

Alt-folk duo She & Him, composed of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, are seeing renewed attention for their 2008 piano ballad "I Thought I Saw Your Face Today". Viral TikTok clips pairing the song with emotional, nostalgic, and seasonal content pushed streams above 2.5 million in late November. The track has debuted on the Hot Rock and Alternative Songs chart at No. 20.

Neace Robinsons 'I Wish That Heaven Had a Phone' Goes Viral

Louisiana singer-songwriter Neace Robinson gained widespread attention after a funeral performance of her 2018 song "I Wish That Heaven Had a Phone" went viral on TikTok, amassing over 31 million views. Streaming for the track spiked from 1,900 to over 82,500 weekly on-demand streams within a few weeks, marking her first major breakout.

Across genres and decades, from classic disco and pop to viral rap and heartfelt ballads, these songs illustrate the lasting cultural impact of Stranger Things and social media trends on music consumption.

Commentary: The Power of Nostalgia and Viral Trends in Music Streaming

The fifth season of "Stranger Things" has once again demonstrated the powerful intersection of nostalgia and modern streaming culture. The show's integration of '70s and '80s music into its storyline has resulted in massive surges in streams for many tracks, with Diana Ross's "Upside Down" and ABBA's "Fernando" leading the charge. The show's ability to revive these classic hits speaks to the enduring popularity of retro music, particularly among younger audiences who may not have experienced these songs firsthand but are discovering them through the lens of the series.

What stands out, however, is the broader influence of social media and TikTok in shaping music consumption. Tracks like H3adband's "Boo" and Neace Robinson's "I Wish That Heaven Had a Phone" show how viral challenges and emotional content can propel relatively unknown songs to mainstream success. These trends illustrate a key shift in how music reaches audiences today, with platforms like TikTok serving as powerful tastemakers.

Ultimately, this blend of nostalgic TV soundtracks and viral social media trends underscores the changing landscape of music promotion. As streaming platforms continue to rise in dominance, the synergy between television, social media, and music will likely continue to drive consumption patterns and chart success in new and unpredictable ways.

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• ‘Stranger Things’ Songs From ABBA, Diana Ross, Kate Bush (Again) and More All Up Double or Triple Following Season Five Premiere