4 Times Netflix’s Hit Series ‘Stranger Things’ Put A Spotlight On Country Music

Do you call yourself a fan of Stranger Things and country music? Well then, you’ve probably been happy with the genre’s representation in the hit Netflix series.

At least for the first three seasons, that is. The country music genre was absent from Season 4, and a country song has yet to be used in Season 5. There’s still hope though for the fifth and final season, which dropped its first four episodes on November 26 (I won’t be spoiling anything in this story, don’t worry).

I’ve followed the series that explores the strange happenings in Hawkins, Indiana ever since the first season captivated the world in 2016. Crazy to think that they’ve only churned out five seasons in a decade, but in their defense, every season has been just as good (if not better) than the last.

Sometimes you can’t rush perfection a cultural phenomenon.

The show, which is set in the 1980s, leans into nostalgia every chance it gets. Kids riding their bikes to school, big hair, retro decor, and 80s fashion practically being a main character all play into the world building that makes up Stranger Things. Another piece of the puzzle that the show utilizes perfectly? That’d be the timely music that’s plugged into the series.

Netflix’s hit show has helped revitalize a number of 80s songs (none bigger than Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill”), and does a great job of using songs that match the moment. And the creators of Stranger Things – the Duffer Brothers – love to pick a song that both lines up rhythmically and lyrically.

They’ve gone to country music a number of times to help move along the plot, and I gathered together every single time that Stranger Things has cued up country in the show’s five seasons… so far:

“The Bargain Store” by Dolly Parton

Season 1, Episode 6 (The Monster)

Dolly Parton was included in the soundtrack during a scene where the characters Jonathan Byers and Nancy Wheeler were looking for supplies in an actual bargain store. There’s that literal meaning, but there’s also a deeper meaning, as both characters refuse to give up despite being drug through a lot of chaos and loss  – like Dolly sings about in the track.

“Islands in the Stream” by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

Season 2, Episode 2 (Trick or Treat, Freak)

Another Dolly song was used in the second season during a scene where the mother of Will Byers, Joyce, shares a romantic dance with her romantic interest, Bob, at a Halloween party. Neither were dressed up as Parton or Kenny Rogers, which was a missed opportunity… but still cool to see a country music needle drop featured in the show.

“Green, Green Grass of Home” by Bobby Bare

Season 2, Episode 5 (Dig Dug)

This one is probably has the most subtle, yet most meaningful, usage on the list. This song by Bobby Bare sings about someone going home, only to have a twist at the very end where the narrator is actually a prisoner that’s about to be executed. It’s the perfect song for when the show’s main character, Eleven, tries to visit her mom, and she’s a prisoner of her own mind. You barely hear it playing on the truck driver’s radio, but it might be one of the best musical hints the show offers up.

“She Got You” by Patsy Cline

Season 3, Episode 1 (Suzie, Do You Copy?)

Patsy Cline’s “She Got You” is playing in the drug store as Sheriff Hopper gets advice from Joyce Byers about raising Eleven, when all he really wants to do is ask her out on date. With Joyce’s recent loss, she sees the move as too soon, and rejects Hopper. The song itself is about someone not being able to be with someone else, so it’s very fitting in this scene.

Honorable Mentions

There were a handful of other songs that were sort of country-adjacent, in that they were featured by crossover artists who found success in country music and with country radio, but the particular song didn’t quite fit.

“Blue Bayou” by Roy Orbison

This 1961 song was featured in Season 2, Episode 8 during the awkward breakfast scene between Nancy and Jonathan at Murray’s place. Roy got started in country and western and was even signed by Sun Records at the request of Johnny Cash, but his country music hits didn’t come until the early ’80s.

“Twist Of Fate” by Olivia Newton

Olivia Newton John had some country crossover success as well, winning CMA, ACM and Grammy Awards for her country music, but “Twist Of Fate” was a straight up ’80s dance tune.

“Travelin’ Man” by Ricky Nelson 

Another example of an artist that had a lot of success in country music, but a song choice that was more in the vein of early rock and roll at the time. He had a few early country hits, then came “Travlin Man” in 1961, but it wasn’t until the mid ’60s that he fully leaned into country music. It was featured in Season 4 when Joyce and Murray are about to take off for Russia.

Like I said earlier, here’s to hoping more is on the way in the back half of the show’s fifth season.

Just for fun, I decided to round up some other classic country songs from the 1980s that haven’t been used in the show yet that I could very easily imagine being included in some of the final episode. These three tracks below could all be serviceable in a scene where two characters (maybe Jonathan and Nancy?) are sharing final moments.

“If My Heart Had Windows” by Patty Loveless

“When You Say Nothing At All” by Keith Whitley

“Why Not Me” by The Judds

Any of those three could fit stylistically and lyrically into the conclusion of the show (if I actually hit on any of those, I’ll freak out).

And I do have to point out that it’s a real shame the show won’t stretch into the 90s (the show’s finale will likely be set in late 1987/early 1988). Stranger Things could have really gotten into some of the decade’s great country music by the likes of Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Shania Twains and Garth Brooks.

Feels like “Friends In Low Places” would have been a shoe-in with all of the references and scenes set in the upside down….The post 4 Times Netflix’s Hit Series ‘Stranger Things’ Put A Spotlight On Country Music first appeared on Whiskey Riff.