Global streams of late artist Prince's hits have skyrocketed following their inclusion in the popular series Stranger Things. Notably, “Purple Rain” experienced a 243 percent increase, while “When Doves Cry” saw a rise of 200 percent on Spotify. For the Gen Z audience, the increase was even more pronounced, with “Purple Rain” surging by 577 percent and “When Doves Cry” rising by 128 percent.
The series' co-creator, Ross Duffer, stated that the decision to use Prince’s music was driven by the need for an impactful soundtrack during a climactic battle scene in the finale. His brother, Matt Duffer, acknowledged that their previous success with the inclusion of Kate Bush's “Running Up That Hill” in season four played a significant role in securing the rights for the Prince tracks.
Despite initial doubts from music supervisor Nora Felder, who referred to the approval process as a “grueling” experience, the team ultimately succeeded in obtaining permission just days prior to filming. Overall, Prince's catalog witnessed a 190 percent increase in streams, with Gen Z engagement rising by 88 percent, demonstrating the effective impact of the show on his music's resurgence.