![]() “Scratch My Back” wasn’t particularly well-received by critics. Gabriel’s version of “Heroes” first appeared on his 2010 album “Scratch My Back,” in which he covered songs by artists like Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Radiohead, Lou Reed, Paul Simon and Vampire Weekend (in a mildly ironic turn, Gabriel covered their song “Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa” which features the lyric: "Feels so unnatural/ Peter Gabriel too”). Rather, the show employs the Peter Gabriel cover, which has a story of its own. A perfect example is its appearance in the 2012 film adaptation of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” In that movie, “Heroes” serves as the elusive “tunnel song,” a song that makes the main characters feel alive despite dealing with issues like homophobia and sexual abuse.Įven without knowing the plot of the third season, you can see why it would be a fit in the context of “Stranger Things.”īut "Stranger Things" doesn't use Bowie as Bowie. Which is perhaps why - with the ringing lyrics “We can beat them, forever and ever / Oh, we can be heroes just for one day” - the song is so poignant when found in films about youth making it to the other side of suffering. “Heroes” wasn’t immediately popular when it first came out (it peaked on the UK Singles Chart at number 12 following Bowie's death), but biographer David Buckley deemed it “perhaps pop's definitive statement of the potential triumph of the human spirit over adversity.” That was the same year Peter Gabriel released his debut solo single “Solsbury Hill” following his departure from the band Genesis. The song, reportedly Bowie’s second most-covered, was originally released in September 1977. ![]() The season goes out on a haunting cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes” by Peter Gabriel (which has been used by the show once before, in episode 3 of the first season). ![]() With the exception of this soundtrack reveal, this is a spoiler-free zone, so we’re not here to talk about what leads up to those final moments we’re here to talk about how the show underscores it and the story behind the song. Until the creepy-crawlies from the Upside Down return in season four, this collection of beloved tunes is a nostalgic comfort and great singalong fun.The last few minutes of season 3 of “Stranger Things” turn contemplative after a tightly-edited and action-packed eight hours. The compilation closes with a humorous-yet-touching duet by "Dusty-bun" Gaten Matarazzo and "Suzie-poo" Gabriella Pizzolo, who take on the magical Limahl theme "Never Ending Story," a fitting end that washes away the dread and anxiety brought upon by the Mind Flayer. Other highlights include a very Stranger Things remix of the Who's "Baba O'Riley," which adds atmospheric synth textures to give the '70s classic a neon, sci-fi spin the recurring space-bop "Neutron Dance" by the Pointer Sisters and Howard Jones' "Things Can Only Get Better," which sums up the overarching sentiment of the show with the line, "And do you feel scared, I do/But I won't stop and falter," a rallying cry for the young heroes of Stranger Things. Corey Hart's "Never Surrender" serves as the backdrop to a tender moment between two main characters (as Foreigner's "Cold as Ice" compliments a less-affectionate climax), while a cleverly placed "Movin' in Stereo" by the Cars not only references an '80s teen classic, but also that movie's star, Phoebe Cates, who is alluded to throughout season three as a running inside joke. The track list features genre-spanning hits by Madonna, REO Speedwagon, Teena Marie, Weird Al, Wham!, and many more, used to strategic effect throughout the eight episodes of the season. Released the day after the July 4th premiere of season three of the sci-fi/coming-of-age show, Stranger Things: Music from the Netflix Original Series, Season 3 is a nostalgia-packed companion soundtrack that culls from an era of music that might have been heard in this fictional '80s setting.
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