Stranger Things Season 5 kicks off with four episodes on November 26, 2025, followed by three more on December 25, and a finale on December 31. Beyond the story itself, fans are buzzing about the Stranger Things Season 5 soundtrack. The new trailer already features a remixed version of Deep Purple’s “Child in Time,” setting the tone for what could be the show’s most ambitious season yet.

Meanwhile, Target’s upcoming Stranger Things WSQK Collection vinyl, out October 24, has stirred extra curiosity. Its tracklist includes Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now,” The Clash’s “The Magnificent Seven,” Queen’s “Bicycle Race”, and other songs. Whether these will appear in the show or simply serve as themed promo tracks remains to be seen.

Composers Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein have hinted at returning to the melodic palette of the early seasons – a welcome move for fans who fell in love with those iconic arpeggiated synths.

While we wait for more official details, let’s revisit the original tracks that have defined Hawkins’ heart and horror across Seasons 1 to 4.

The Signature Sound of Stranger Things: Blending Nostalgia and Cinematic Flair

The Stranger Things soundtrack didn’t become famous by accident. It’s a perfect mix of 1980s nostalgia and big-screen atmosphere. The use of both old and modern synths create layers of sound that pull you into Hawkins’ world.

At the center is that unforgettable theme song – a rush of steady arpeggios, pulsing beats, and echoing tones that call back to John Carpenter’s style of horror music.

In several tracks, you hear bright, bouncing notes, those “plinky-plonks” that make you feel like you’re standing inside an ’80s arcade or a humming control room, surrounded by glowing screens and steady beeps. That’s what makes the score so special: it isn’t just background music. It’s part of the story itself.

The Emotional Core: Thematic Grouping of Best Tracks

The true genius of Dixon and Stein’s work is how their music shines on tracks where a lovely, often warm melody is layered over the mechanical, plonky beats. These melodies provide a human element to an otherwise unemotive computer sound, instantly jogging the memory of the specific scenes they accompanied.

Below is a thematic breakdown of some of the best original tracks across Seasons 1, 2, 3, and 4. This curated collection is also available on Spotify.

1. The Melodies of Youth and Innocence

These tracks pulse with light, arpeggiated synths and upbeat rhythms, evoking the carefree joy, friendship, and innocence of the Hawkins kids in their brightest moments.

• Kids – It sets the stage for the boys’ D&D game and their bike ride home (S1C1); later it underscores Dustin and Lucas’ playful walkie-talkie banter (S2C1).
• Teens – This captures the group’s maturing dynamic with a slightly bolder take on the “Kids” motif (S4).
• Biking to School – Eleven rides on Mike’s bike as the crew pedals to school in a moment of pure freedom (S1C1).
• Starcourt – The kids stroll through the vibrant mall to Scoops Ahoy (S3C1).
• What’s the Internet? – This plays during the kids’ triumphant D&D victory, and when Lucas’ basketball team wins (S4C1).

2. Tender Moments, Heartbreak and Loss: The Emotional Core

These tracks use a variety of sounds to capture both tenderness and sorrow – from soft organ chords to airy choral synths to the twinkling tones that recall the gentle music of a baby crib mobile.

• Friendship – The boys explain the meaning of friendship to Eleven in a heartfelt moment (S1C2).
• Eight Fifteen – Hopper and Eleven share a quiet dinner, revealing their bond (S2C1).
• You’re a Fighter – Nancy’s mom supports her investigation into Mrs. Driscoll’s case (S3C4).
• Hiiiiiiiii – Max and Lucas exchange playful notes in Vecna’s eerie house (S4C9).
• This isn’t You – Nancy comforts Jonathan, and later stays over at Steve’s (S1C2).
• Eleven – Will asks Eleven her name (S1C2), and later tries contacting her on Day 352 (S2C1).
• First Kiss – Will and Eleven share a sweet, innocent moment (S1C8).
• The First Lie – Nancy and Jonathan deepen their bond in Murray’s apartment in an intimate scene (S2C6).
• The First I Love You – Steve and Robin reflect on their school days with affection (S3C7).
• One Blink for Yes – Joyce strings up Christmas lights in the house as a way to communicate with Will.
• Eulogy – Nancy mourns Barb in the bathroom, and Will packs away toys, missing Eleven (S2C1).
• Letter to Willy – A variation of Eulogy; Max reads her letter to Billy (S4C4); Dustin consoles Mr. Munson, sharing that Eddie died a hero (S4C9).
• Aftermath – Max grieves Billy, Joyce mourns Hopper, and Eleven realizes Hopper’s fate (S3C8).

3. Battle-Ready: Tracks of Action and Courage

The Stranger Things score excels at building high-stakes tension and heroic moments. Dramatic synth swells, deep percussive hits, and fast, urgent rhythms create a soundscape for battles, escapes, and fierce determination.

• She’ll Kill You – Joyce hacks the living room wall in an attempt to save Will (S1C4), while Eleven rescues Will and Dustin from the bullies (S1C6).
• Rolling out the Pool – The group prepares a sensory deprivation tank for Eleven in the school gym (S1C7).
• Soldiers – Dustin, Lucas, Max, and Steve prepare the junk yard for their encounter with the Demodogs; soldiers grab their weapons before entering the tunnels (S2C6)
• I Can Save Them – Eleven decides to return to Hawkins to save her friends from the Mind Flayer (S2C7).
• The Return – Eleven returns to Hawkins, showing up at Joyce’s house (S2C8).
• We are NOT Heroes – Eddie fights the Demobats (S4C9).
• You Have Already Lost – Hopper prepares to fight a Demogorgon; Steve, Nancy and Robin steps into Vecna’s attic, Eleven pins Vecna to the wall (S4C9).
• Run Away – Steve drives away from his friends after an argument over Nancy, the authorities arrive at Nancy’s house (S1C7).
• Escape – Kali, Eleven, and the gang flee from the police after the warehouse confrontation (S2C7).

4. Tension and Horror: Into the Darkness

As the show leans into supernatural horror, especially in Season 4, the score becomes more driving, atonal, and percussive. These tracks utilize distorted synths, jump-scare percussion, and ominous drones, much like John Carpenter’s suspenseful style.

• Stranger Things – The iconic arpeggiated synth theme that opens every chapter.
• The Upside Down – Eleven explains to the boys that Will is trapped in a parallel universe by using the D&D board (S1C2)
• Descent into the Rift – Hopper descends into the pit beneath Hawkins Lab with Dr. Owen (S2C6).
• Mirkwood – Billy’s possessed body rises from the floor in the sauna; Mrs. Driscoll screams; Eleven attacks Billy (S3C4).
• It’s Just Ice – The Russian radio operator transmits the secret message; Alexei observes the Gate opening (S3C1).
• Hawkins National Lab – The ominous theme accompanies scenes at the secretive government facility (S4C1).

5. Comic Relief and Defining Characters

Not all tracks are doom and gloom; some tunes offer a much-needed moment of levity or define a specific character’s state of mind. Bouncy, plinky synths, light-hearted melodies, and playful rhythms bring humor to the show’s darker moments.

• Lay-Z-Boy – Will shows Eleven the living room and demonstrates the reclining chair (S1C2).
• Boys and Girls – Eleven calls Mike to arrange a meeting but he makes excuses to avoid seeing her (S3C2).
• The Ceiling is Beautiful – Steve and Robin, drugged by the Russians, stare dizzily at the mall ceiling (S3C7)
• Palm Tree Delight – This is played in the scene where Jonathan and Argyle, both high, talk about Jonathan’s relationship troubles (S4C2).

Looking Ahead to the Final Season’s Score

The sharp, chaotic sound of Season 4, with its pounding drums and uneasy, off-key tones, fit the story’s descent into darker territory. But as Stranger Things reaches its end, a return to familiar melodies like “Kids,” “She’ll Kill You,” and “Eulogy” could give fans the emotional closure we’ve been waiting for.

Whatever new sounds Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein have planned, one thing’s certain: the final soundtrack will remind us why their music has always been the beating heart of Stranger Things.

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