Stranger Things is changing the charts by introducing Gen Z to ’80s music icons again. Since the final episode dropped on New Year’s Day, Prince’s “Purple Rain” has seen a 243% increase in global Spotify streams, and a 577% surge among Gen Z listeners specifically. David Bowie also saw a boost from the series; the song “Heroes,” which soundtracked the final scene, spiked nearly 500%, going from 94K daily streams to 470K. It’s a repeat of the Kate Bush “Running Up That Hill” moment from Season 4, but also part of a larger pattern. TikTok’s top global song of 2025 was Connie Francis’ “Pretty Little Baby,” released in 1962, thanks to Kylie Jenner’s video singing the tune with her daughter. For Gen Z, legacy artists are just one viral placement away from discovery, whether through a Netflix binge or a 15-second clip. (NME, Billboard)
👀 Read more from YPulse: ‘80s, ‘90s, or Today? The Decade of Music Gen Z Listens to Most
