David Bowie’s 1977 anthem “Heroes” has enjoyed a dramatic spike in global streams after soundtracking the closing moments of the Stranger Things series finale, with listening figures surging by nearly five times the track’s usual daily average in the days following the episode’s release. The show concluded with the single over its closing credits, framing it as a definitive final goodbye to the long-running series. Billboard reported a “500% increase” in the songs’ streams.

The song’s renewed momentum extends Bowie’s cultural reach to a new generation, much like with Kate Bush’s 1985 single “Running Up That Hill” from Season 4 that skyrocketed to No. 1 on the Hot 100 after decades being dormant. Similarly, Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” hit the top 10 after Season 4’s air-guitar scene with beloved misfit character Eddie Munson. Now, “Heroes” joins the elite club, proving Generation Z’s unwavering ability to revive 80s classics, spurred on by the interconnectedness and trendism of social media.

Stranger Things Creators Matt and Ross Duffer credited actor Joe Keery, who plays Steve Harrington in the show, with the choice to use Bowie’s original version of “Heroes” as the last song, after earlier seasons had leaned on Peter Gabriel’s cover. Keery, known musically as Djo has a successful music career himself with his hit single “End of beginning” finding itself repeatedly in the charts, proving himself musically knowledgeable. Ross Duffer has described the track as an “anthem for Stranger Things”, noting that the decision to let the song run uninterrupted over bespoke animated credits was designed to give the series one last poignant moment of closure.

Heroes” has long stood as one of Bowie’s most impactful songs, from its Cold War‑era Berlin Wall associations to its status as a staple of his live sets and retrospectives.​ Brian Eno’s ambient production layered Bowie’s ad-libbed vocals over Tony Visconti’s wall-of-sound guitars, creating a defiant love song that later soundtracked Wall fall footage and features in films like Moulin Rouge. Its raw emotion, “We can be heroes, just for one day”, mirrors the kids’ Upside Down triumphs, cementing Bowie’s timeless grip on rebellion. In a statement, Bowie’s estate and label Parlophone highlighted the track as “powerful and evocative”, encouraging fans to revisit the newly remastered HD video as streams continue to climb post‑finale.

Millions of younger viewers are encountering Bowie for the first time through Stranger Things, folding him into the same pop‑culture universe that has recently re‑elevated artists like Bush and Prince.​With “Heroes” now trending across playlists and socials, the Stranger Things sync is poised to become a key chapter in the song’s long afterlife, reaffirming Bowie’s status as one of pop’s most transcendent innovators in history.