After Kate Bush, Metallica gets listening boost from ‘Stranger Things’

Eddie Munson’s character, played by Joseph Quinn (R), performed the guitar solo for Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” in Season 4 of “Stranger Things.” Image: Netflix via ETX Daily Up

“Stranger Things” is offering a new lease on life to 1980s hits. After the unexpected success of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (Deal With God),” the series has revived esteemed rock band Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” song released in 1986, the same year in which the latest season of “Stranger Things” takes place.

In the days since the release of the second part of the series’ fourth season on July 2, the song has climbed Spotify’s United States chart to hit number 10 on Tuesday, while it holds 17th place on the platform’s Global chart.

The renewed interest is linked to an emotional scene in the last episode of the season where the “Master of Puppets” song, played by the Eddie Munson character, plays an important role in the plot and clearly made an impact on viewers.

Another song, “Separate Ways” by Journey, also used by the Duffer brothers in the series, has also benefited from the popularity of this fourth season in some regions.

Impressive results that nonetheless pale in comparison with those achieved by the track “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush, which saw an 8700% increase in streams throughout the world on May 30, after the premiere of season four. Fans of “Stranger Things” were also interested in the rest of the singer’s catalog, increasing listens by 1600%.

Aware of the power of music in the series, Spotify and Netflix have launched an official “Stranger Things” playlist with Easter eggs and surprises on the mobile app, as well as on computer, but only for Android users.

In fact, in response to the incredible effect Netflix series have on streams, the streaming company earlier partnered with Spotify to offer a platform dedicated to playlists of its biggest hits.

In addition to music, “Stranger Things” has even boosted searches for the city of Hawkinsville, Georgia. JB

RELATED STORIES:

Kate Bush on ‘Stranger Things’ and chart reprise: ‘The world’s gone mad’

Winona Ryder, David Harbour’s ‘Stranger Things’ kiss not scripted — writers