Just the Music - Upside Down

Yes, I was one of the first to start the finale and crash it for others still trying to get on. I clicked on that finale at 4:59 and never looked back.

There are people heading out in that horrible weather for New Year celebrations and won’t get to this until the weekend. I’m not posting spoilers; but I am spoiling music because it’s been on my mind for years.

The Duffer Brothers have used music as an additional layer of meaning to this series. I started looking forward to what we might hear with each season. Kate Bush was a moment when you realized how strong their choices were. When someone invokes Kate Bush for strength they meant business. With the show coming to an end I started narrowing down what I thought the set list would be.

SPOILERS AHEAD. LEAVE NOW.

I had U2 stuck as my guess because it was 1987. I thought the chosen album would be one that came out that year. I even thought it might be Bon Jovi. We were dealing with the mind flayer and the final showdown, I wasn’t thinking large enough outside the box.

When the needle drops and it’s When Doves Cry, I just bowed my head because it was the right choice. Hearing that blasting in the background as they made their way out of the Upside Down just felt right.

Then the moment happened. The one we saw from the very first season. Bets have been placed, you wonder what it will be. Then Purple Rain drops. At that point you just nod your head and enjoy it. I had chosen songs that were earth-shattering and spoke to the human condition. I never imagined they’d go straight to God for the finale. Truly humbled.

When the dust settles and Landslide starts playing in the background you realize an entire music department understood the assignment. A portal between two worlds has been severed and we are all safe and able to decide our path. Let Stevie Nicks summarize this moment for us all.

I never stopped to think about the end credits. Paisley Park narrated our emotions on surviving a near intergalactic battle and loss. That electric guitar was the closest thing on earth that could encompass it all. For the credits The Duffer Brothers chose an elder God for the send off. 8 years that led to a final battle with a chaotic, indifferent entity and Bowie was chosen with Heroes.

In the last half hour Stranger Things wrapped up their epic tale with a symbol of non-conformity and excellence, cleansed the town with the white witch, and bid us all farewell with the all-knowing Ziggy Stardust who wasn’t giving us anymore answers to the universe.

Those decisions were not made with the finale, that’s the kind of line-up you have in your head for a long time. Loved watching it. Happy New Year.