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  • 100p going to be a Prince song - notorious for turning people down but was a huge Kate Bush fan and they said they got the license because of the kate bush of it all from last season.

    thinking "when doves cry" or "purple rain" - again mostly because it's extremely rare to get the OK

    **EDIT: holy fuck, i know Purple Rain is a movie lol. the title of this thread is based on a MISQUOTE. the duffers specifically said "not in TV". please stop coming for me thinking i'm dumb as fuck because i actually listened to the interview and knew they didn't say movies

    **SECOND EDIT: okay im walking my dog and “let’s go crazy” came on shuffle and it’s absolutely this song. final song of the series - montage of the characters and cuts to the credits once he finishes the line “in this life, you’re on your own.” that’s it lol

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    I didnt know the prince/Kate connection 

    thats a solid lead

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    thank you for that, that was a great read and I am now fully of the same mind. good call

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    Damn the chorus on that song SLAPS, thanks for the article

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    Given the circumstances of the show I’d wager if it’s a Prince song it’s gotta be “I Would Die 4 U”

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    That song is playing all the time on the WSQK radio channel so yeah, it's definitely gonna be that one if it's any Prince song!

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    i love that insight - fuck yeah!!! god that would be such a winner of a song but definitely on the "it's Prince for sure" theory

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    You gave me goosebumps with this song, “I'm not a woman, I'm not a man I am something that you'll never understand I'll never beat you, I'll never lie And if you're evil, I'll forgive you by and by 'cause” holy shit fuck yeah 😭 

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    Little tidbit, “I Would Die 4 U” was recorded live and it was the first time it had been played live.

    “Purple Rain” and “Baby I’m a Star” are also live recordings.

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    Me needing to hear a synth sound followed by the echo of Prince saying Dearly beloved

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     Oh my gosh yes 👏 

    “Dearly beloved we’re gathered here today to get through this thing called life”.

    I can definitely hear this being played in the finale. It fits!!!

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    Especially the whole bit until "The Afterworld"

    Dearly beloved
    We are gathered here today to get through this thing called life
    Electric word, life
    It means forever and that's a mighty long time
    But I'm here to tell you there's something else
    The afterworld

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    that would be so iconic

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    When doves cry was already used in the Romeo and Juliet remake

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    but a movie tho - not a TV show. still could be?

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    I think they also said that it had never been used in a show ir movie before, though, and Price songs definitely have.

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    they did say - never in TV, so it's giving me the thought that was on purpose. not movies & TV you know like specifically called out the never in TV aspect

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    Prince sang in an episode of New Girl FYI.

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    yeah, FallInLove2Nite which is a newer track a la ~2010s

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    They didn’t ask him though he literally told them to cancel the episode that was supposed to be featuring one of the kardashians and give the episode to him bc he was a huge fan. So iconic. Got the kardashians kicked off and took the episode for himself lol

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    “I don’t even know how would one go about teasing a needle drop. This year, I will say, there is a song I’m particularly proud of. It’s in volume, it’s in the finale. It’s never been on a TV show before. Actually, I think because of Kate Bush, we were able to get the rights. You know what I mean? Under normal circumstances, they would not have allowed us to get those rights. So I think it’s an epic needle drop. But you’ve gotta wait all the way to the finale episode.” – The Duffer Brothers

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    Ah, ok. This question was asked before and I said Prince, but other people pointed out his songs had been used in movies. And for some reason I thought movies had been included in the quote. Prince is a good guess in that case.

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    If they use a Prince song, I hope it's "When doves cry." That song is so good!

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    Purple Rain is the title track from the movie by the same name!

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    That would be cool. Another Minnesota connection! Along with Dustin's Science Museum of Minnesota sweatshirt. And it's purple, a color often associated with Prince. Ok, I'm reaching there lol

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  • Pink Floyd never allows their music to be used commercially, might be them.

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    Time by PF would make sense if all the time reset theories are true but I would think both Pink Floyd and zeppelin would be too old for the show. It’s gotta be something in the 80’s.

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    Also Time was used in The Flash in 2023

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    Momentary Lapse came out September '87, might be something from that if they're wanting to keep in the timeline. Learning to Fly or something maybe

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    Pink Floyd was still recording in the 80's. Learning to Fly was released in '87.

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    Sopranos got there first using Comfortably Numb in the final season

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    The Departed did it first then the Sopranos used it. Christopher even said “This Departed soundtrack is fuckin’ killer”

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    Another brick in the wall?

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    This is on the WSQK vinyl.

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    Welcome To The Machine was in Person of Interest

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  • Led Zepplins “Stairway to Heaven” or a Pink Floyd song is my guess

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    I'm pretty sure I heard stairway to heaven in something when I was a kid because it's the reason my Dad caved and bought me an iPod. He was SO excited to introduce his kid to his music

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    Definitely not Wayne’s World

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    What!? No Stairway?

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    He does this every Friday.

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    Well if you never saw the film in its original theater run, you are technically correct. Wayne does actually play the riff in the theatrical cut, but every single home video and streaming version has a replaced dub of a completely different (and awful) sounding riff in its place.

    The 4K release that came out a couple years back is the first time the correct riff is played on a home release since the ‘92 theatrical cut.

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    Immigrant song was in school of rock but they didn’t let JB use anything in Pick of Destiny. He couldn’t even name a stairway “stairway to heaven “ and had to call it “guitar way to heaven”

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    There’s the cut scene in Almost Famous where he listens to Stairway but he just has headphones on and reacts to it because they couldn’t get rights.

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    The deleted scene from Almost Famous where they play Stairway for the kid's mom, and that's what convinces her to let him go? The scene literally takes up the whole song. 

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    Led Zep are famous for not letting their music be used in film/TV. Jack Black begged to be allowed to use Immigrant Song in School of Rock.

    Maybe Eddie turns up again somehow?

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    Immigrant Song is also in Thor 3 (and featured heavily in the marketing).

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    Yeah I was surprised to hear they don’t let it be used often because it was allllll over that films marketing

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    Yeah that’s why I think it’ll be included here imo, Kate Bush was the same way with running up that hill until ST came knocking

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    Not accurate. There are numerous Kate Bush songs in the Handmaids Tale which was made before ST.

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    Running Up That Hill was used in the British series It’s a Sin.

    edit to add: It’s a Sin had an amaaaaaaazing 80’s soundtrack. I suspect Russell T Davies may have had some clout over there.

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    Tangerine at the end of Almost Famous was perfect. But I know they only got that song because the director toured with them back in the day. I doubt its Zeppelin.

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    And then it just became mainstream (looking at you Shrek the Third!). But loved it in Thor Ragnarok — made the whole row in cinema bounce😁♥️

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    Vecna dying to 'The Great Gig in the Sky' would be peak

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    Fun fact: the woman's voice that quietly says "I never said I was frightened of dying" towards the end of the The Great Gig in the Sky belongs to the wife of Pink Floyd's roadie Peter Watts; who was the father of actress Naomi Watts.

    The band actually stepped in to financially support the family after Peter died of a heroin overdose in the 70's, allowing young Naomi to travel to Australia where her film career began.

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    That’s just the kind of trippily oblique meta-reference to both Twin Peaks and The Wizard of Oz that Stranger Things might as well go for at this point.

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    Learning to Fly is a 1987 release. My money's on that.

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    For some reason I feel like it’ll be On The Turning Away. Same album.

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    “Hey, teacher, LEAVE THOSE KIDS ALONE!”

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  • Oooo maybe its "Let's go Crazy". Can you imagine the party defeats whatever big bad it may be and the dust is settling. Then you hear the "dearly beloved" and the organ. Tell me that wouldn't be awesome.

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    Kingsman 2's already claimed that one!

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    And also Sing 2, though technically a cover I suppose, and sung by the actor who plays Eggsy actually!

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  • Purple rain would be great actually and very 80s

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  • never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down

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    Last scene of the show:

    Dustin: Well that sure was some crazy stuff that happened…

    Steve: I don’t know, I’ve certainly seen… stranger things (winks at camera)

    cut to black as Never Gonna Give You Up plays

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    I legitimately would not be upset if this was the ending

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    At this point I’ll take a meme ending instead of losing Steve or someone equally lovable

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    The only way to secure a 100 on rotten tomatoes

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    Someone HAS to reply "Say that again" before cutting to the music

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    ah, so ST is just a giant Rick Roll now. lol

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    Ya the entire thing was just Will having a dream. Cue Rick Roll.

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    You know the rules and so do I

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    At the Stranger Things premiere/season 5 preview in Amsterdam, there was a silent disco dj and you could do request. I requested this song and he didn't play. Still disappointed.

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  • Pink Floyd released an album in 1987. There is a song on there called Sorrow that fits.

    The sweet smell of a great sorrow lies over the land Plumes of smoke rise and merge into the leaden sky A man lies and dreams of green fields and rivers But awakes to a morning with no reason for waking

    He's haunted by the memory of a lost paradise In his youth or a dream, he can't be precise He's chained forever to a world that's departed It's not enough, it's not enough

    His blood has frozen and curdled with fright His knees have trembled and given way in the night His hand has weakened at the moment of truth His step has faltered

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    The intro would hit so hard

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    Pink Floyd was my first thought, this would be perfect. I feel like it fits the tone of the show and damned if that doesn’t remind me of Henry/Vecna.

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  • This is totally an aside, but I always pictured that they'd be walking around with walkmans, ready to do battle if need be.. and I always wanted to see Nancy kick some ass to We Got the Beat.

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    Nancy Wheeler battle montage to we got the beat would be PEAK

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    This is legit a great idea for a scene

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    I LOVE The Go-Gos! This would delight me!

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    OMG YES

    I’m listening to that album right now, never thought about how that song would fit with ST but that would amazing.

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  • Don’t stop believing - Journey

    Vecna and Mind Flayer are at Benny’s burgers in the upside down. Murray walks in with a Members only jacket. Last shot is Vecna looking up. Cut to black

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    At first I was like “what a dumbass” then I appreciated the troll

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    Glee used Don't Stop Believing. Like a LOT.

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    It’s very famously used in the final scene of the Sopranos, which is what this person is referencing. They were making a joke.

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    They used it so much i see Glee whenever i hear the song.

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    The poster isn’t serious….

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    sharp as a cue ball, this one...

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  • Child in Time from Deep Purple, but the version we heard from the first teaser trailer

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    You know. You could be right. I’m still waiting to see if they use “Who Wants to Live Forever” by Queen in the actual show too as that reworking for the trailer was great.

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    I do hope we hear this in back half of season but dont forget it was in Twister!

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  • It's gotta be a classic rock song. Led Zeppelin, Prince, or Pink Floyd probably

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  • No clue what the song will be but the way this show has intertwined the perfect songs throughout the plot is something I haven't seen in a long time. Every song feels perfectly curated & well thought out. I still think about the season 4 finale where they used a remake of Separate Ways Worlds Apart I know whatever it is somehow it will be a perfect fit.

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  • Something Tom Waits

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    Come on up to the house?

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    What's he building in there?

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  • ngl it would be pretty brutal if they played end of beginning by djo

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    Honestly still crazy to me how big his music career is getting, really happy for him

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    Everyone always says this, but like it doesn’t fit the shows timeline at all, it is going to be a song from the 80’s or 90’s depending on when the epilogue is

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    While I agree that the Duffers (most likely) wouldn’t use End of Beginning in the show, a song released in like 2016 was used during a scene in S2 (“Every Other Girl” by Prehistoric Wolves), so they can and have used music that isn’t period accurate lmao

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    The Peter Gabriel “Heroes” cover was released in 2010, too

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    tbf that was intentionally out of place though. Both times it was used it was for a MC appearing to be dead, that we later learn wasn't. So using the far newer Peter Gabriel cover instead of Bowie's era-appropriate original was like an easter egg to hint at the fact that not everything was as it appeared

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    Yes! As long as it's background music and not plot necessary. Unless the characters are the ones playing the music, it doesn't really need to be from the 80s. I'm hoping they go for it and play End of Beginning!!

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    And that god damn Moby song!

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    It really sounds like it's from that time period though, which would be cool

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    I think if it ends with the original Bowie version of "Heros" I will pass put

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    unless they have a large time jump in the prologue, they won't. It will be an 80s song.

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    i love that song so much😂

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  • the final countdown by europe

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    That would be soo good, but I feel like I’ve heard that in other shows and or movies 😅

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    arrested development played it so many times lol

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    It was even used by a wrestler as his entrance music.

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    As part of some sort of magic trick?

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    It’s an illusion, Michael

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    A trick is something a whore does for money.

    …or cocaine! 😃

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    Vecna demands to be taken seriously

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    Bryan Danielson will kill Vecna

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  • If we stick with the theme the Duffer brothers have seemed to stick with, using songs released the year the season is based on look at songs released in 1987. Like a few people have said Prince was notorious for not letting his songs be used.

    • Prince - I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man. (I can’t find anything it’s been used in.)

    According to the AI overview “Still of the Night” by Whitesnake has been confirmed but I can’t find any sources (it’s AI it might not be accurate obviously) so I don’t know if I trust that but that is a song that’s not widely used.

    I’m excited to know what song it is though 🤌🏻

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  • Bronski beat’s smalltown boy

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  • You really can’t say exactly. So many ballads from the 80’s that have never been used before. But I can guarantee it will be an 80’s song with crazy goosebump lyrics.

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  • Is it not Who Wants To Live Forever by Queen ?? Seen a few people on Twitter talking about it not being used in anything before and it’s in my stranger things playlist listed as the title and then “- stranger things remix” with the cover art as the stranger things 5 picture

    Edit: nevermind im dumb its in the trailer i never watched

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  • Tears for fears?

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    Didn’t they have a song in Donnie darko?

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    They were also played in the show Dark, which you should definitely watch if youre a ST fan and want a similar kind of vibe, but watch the german version with subtitles, the dubbed version isnt very good.

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  • Joy Division / New Order

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    I've never heard a New Order song in a show I've watched but I remember Love will tear us apart in 13 Reasons Why of all places, so Joy Division wouldn't fit the criteria kf "never been used in a show". If it is New Order, it's probably going to be something from their 1986 album, Brotherhood. I'm hoping for Bizarre Love Triangle, it's one of their most beautiful songs and one of my personal favourite songs of all time

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  • Never Gonna Give You Up came out in 1987. Are they gonna rick roll everyone?

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    It would be so funny lol

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  • Something Bon Jovi

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    Duffers had Millie playing the long game for that one 😂

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  • Sussudio

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    See my other comment. I think it could be Land of Confusion from 1987.

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  • Owner of a lonely heart - yes

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  • My money is on Led Zeppelin. They’re notorious for not allowing their music to be used anywhere.

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  • Pink Floyd makes sense to me as David Gilmore financed Kate Bush’s first demo.

    Pretty much anything of Dark Side of the moon would work except maybe Money.

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  • I'm shocked no one has said it yet - it's so obvious, and I'm actually really fucking excited to finally hear a recut epic version of the Thong Song in surround sound.

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  • If its 1987… sweet child o mine

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    I raise you It's the End of the World as We Know It. I know it appeared on a TV series with someone else covering it but I don't really know if that'd count for appearing since it wasn't the original band.

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    See that song is too ironic, suppose its an apocalyptic scenario Hawkins (and the world) is about be destroyed by Vecna before they finally beat him. It's like a happy sounding song while talking about devestation. For the tone of the show, they've already done Metallica but there would have to be some real heavy doom and gloom for that scene like SLAYER or something.

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  • Wu-Tang Clan – Once Upon a Time in Shaolin perhaps?😅

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  • “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince.

    The “dearly beloved” at the start gives me goosebumps, plus it gives ‘everyone fighting everyone’ vibes.

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  • The Smiths final album was released in 87, there's at least one song from that one that would definitely work...

    Girlfriend In A Coma

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  • I hope it’s Prince 🤞. There’s so many songs from him they could pick. Purple Rain, Let’s go Crazy, Raspberry Beret, Diamonds and Pearls (which I’ve been listening to a lot lately lol) and more. I know it’s hard to get access to his music so I guess we’ll see.👍

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    "I would die 4 U" has been playing on the WSQK radio channel, so that would be my top guess!

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  • Led Zeppelin maybe

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  • people keep saying another brick in the wall pt 1-3 but those songs have been featured in many things

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  • Never Say Goodbye: Bon Jovi — officially released as a single in 1987, but have zero idea if used in a movie, couldn’t find anything w a quick search.

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  • Safety Dance

    Edit: I know this song was in other shows, I misread the prompt lol I just thought it would be funny having this song as the last song of the series.

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    “You know that song wasn’t as safe as they said.”

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  • We'll know in 21 days! 😁 I don't know a lot of 80s music, so I can't give a solid suggestion, but I love the Prince theory I've seen in the comments.

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  • I hope the last song we hear Robin play on the station is Radio GaGa by Queen. Most epic moment of Live Aid in London

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  • Not sure, but 1987 was the year of The Joshua Tree by U2, Appetite for Destruction by Guns N Roses, and Kick by INXS, so if we finish the season without at least one song from those albums it'll be a missed opportunity indeed.

    Edit: I'm not saying that U2 or the others have major songs off those albums that have never been used in a show or movie before. I was just going on a tangent that it would be a big miss if this show that is very much about the 80s doesn't include at least one song from three of the biggest and most iconic albums to come out of 1987.

    That said, I don't think Running to Stand Still has been featured in a show or movie before, and that would be a devastating song if used in the right spot.

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    "What you Need" "Devil Inside" 'New Sensation" "Never Tear Us Apart" and "Guns In the Sky" would be great songs to use in the show !

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    Wasn't Never Tear Us Apart featured in Donnie Darko, or am I losing my mind?

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  • Heroes but the David Bowie version. I think his estate is pretty selective about who's allowed to use his music.

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    but it has been in A LOT of films and tv shows before, so doesn’t fit what they said.

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  • ‘In the air tonight’

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    Cobra Kai season 3 ended on that though, so maybe not. (Albeit it was a cover.)

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  • Could it be U2?

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  • Radio Free Europe by R.E.M.

    Jonathon has the album poster in his bedroom

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  • "Don't Give Up" by Peter Gabriel. Kate Bush is on it.

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  • 100% a pink floyd song

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  • Thinking caps on, people!

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  • I think it will be a Pink Floyd song

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    I saw somewhere they got the rights to Another Brick in the Wall but idk if that has been used before?

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    It's been used in TV shows.

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  • Is it me or is the soundtrack so far for this season not hitting like the other season so far?

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  • I Want to Break Free by Queen

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  • DMX bring your whole crew

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  • It's gonna be either Zeppelin or pink floyd

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    Maybe “Learning to Fly”. Came out in 87, I remember the video for it.

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  • Stairway to Heaven?

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  • My guesses are either

    1. The Cure, Just Like Heaven. Which is one I don't think has been in other shows or movies and feels like it would fit well with what we have on the soundtrack already.

    2. Hall & Oats. Famously don't allow their songs in films and shows. They're actually in a long running lawsuit against one another for this very reason. Given the season is set in 1987, I'd place a bet on the title track on their most recent album at the time, Out of Touch, released 1984. 'I'm out of touch, you're out of time', would work with the theories a lot of people seem to have about potential time shanangans coming up.

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  • I Would Die For U - album came out in ‘84. This is my guess

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  • * Random guy walks onto screen and looks at Vecna's corpse next to Super Saiyan 11 and Chaos Emerald Will *

    Random Guy : Things sure are strange here now.

    * "People Are Strange" Plays *

    *Credits*

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  • Tracy Chapman - Fast Car

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  • Baz Luhrmann got permission to do his own arrangement of When Doves Cry in Romeo & Juliet so I'm not sure about it being Prince.

    I'm thinking it's notoriously difficult to get MJ permissions: Bad (album) was released in 1987. As well as the title track, the album's just banger after banger. Even if some of the tracks weren't released as singles until 1988/1989, Smooth Criminal or Man in the Mirror (for something a bit cheesy & sweet!) feel like they could fit.

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  • Note: The actual claim is that it’s never been used on TV, not films, and TV would logically include commercials, not just shows.

    It would have to be an artist that owns their recordings outright, which isn’t as many as one might think. Also, it would have to be an artist who has a reputation for refusing at least some of their songs to be licensed, which further limits the list. Plus, given the tease, it’s likely not an obscure artist who simply was never asked to have their music used.

    Taking all this into consideration, here are some of my guesses as to who the artist is: - Prince, simply because the Prince estate has been more willing to license Prince’s music after his death, which might even include never before released material - The Carpenters, because Richard Carpenter halted (almost) all licensing of their music, largely because of its use by others to make jokes about Karen Carpenter’s eating disorder. The director of Ghost Rider even had to meet with Richard Carpenter personally to get permission to use the sibling duo’s music, assuring that it wouldn’t be used in poor taste.

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  • The Who - The Kids are alright

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  • I think "Wish You Were Here" would be perfect. Lyrics match so much better.

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  • Escape by Metallica. It's gotta be!

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  • Kashmir - Led Zeppelin

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    This would be amazing, but it was used in Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Ocean’s Twelve.

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  • Please be Prince.

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  • idk if it's just me but i wish it was "in the air tonight" by phil collins, even though it has been used in miami vice. oh and "the end of the beginning", but i'm pretty sure that it won't happen due to it not being an 80s/90s song.

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  • Gotta be one of these:

    The Beatles

    Pink Floyd

    The Eagles

    Led Zeppelin

    Someone said “Prince,” but I’m going by the semantics of “artists” (plural) and not “artist.” So, I’m assuming it’s a band.

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    Prince formed a band called The Revolution and with the exception of him, all the members are still alive. So he's not out of the question

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  • Beastie boys!!!!!

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  • Metallica’s One”

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