Would it be an overstatement to say that Stranger Things single-handedly revived 80s music this summer? Maybe. But we must give credit where it's due. After season 4 of Stranger Things released in the beginning of June, the 80s were back in fashion. This is especially evident in the outcome of the episode, “Dear Billy.” This episode included Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” during a highly emotional and climactic scene in the series. After viewers saw “Dear Billy,” Kate Bush skyrocketed in popularity. According to CBS, “Running Up That Hill” earned Kate Bush around $2.3 million in streaming royalties.
Through personal experience I can say that after season 4 was released, “Running Up That Hill” was unavoidable. It was all over Tiktok, restaurants would have it on, stores would put it in their playlists, and everyone you knew had it stuck in their head. Though Bush had the biggest resurgence from Stranger Things, many other artists included in the show became wildly popular again, including Musical Youth’s “Pass the Dutchie” and Falco’s “Rock Me Amadeus.” Unlike the 80s, music today is very easily distributed, which is why it was so easy for these songs to make a comeback. I find it captivating to be exposed to some of the hit songs from a time when I wasn’t around. It gives a sense of what the art scene was like at a time I couldn’t experience. With help from my parents, who grew up in the 80s, and from browsing Spotify, I was able to come up with a collection of some of my favorites that the decade had to offer. It has been on repeat for me all summer and I am continuing to add to it as I hear more of the 80s!
Cover image: Rediscoverthe80s.
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