There are moments when music not only accompanies a story… it redefines it. That’s what has happened with “Heroes,” David Bowie‘s classic, which has experienced a historic boost on streaming platforms after appearing in the finale of Stranger Things, premiering on Netflix on December 31, 2025.
What could have been just an emotional moment in an audiovisual series, has become a vindication of Bowie’s legacy, whose resonances go beyond the show to connect with the collective memory of generations of listeners.
An unprecedented rebound in figures
According to data from Luminate, “Heroes” has increased its daily streaming average almost fivefold after appearing in the end credits of the most anticipated episode of the year. Before the premiere, it hovered around 94,000 listens per day; afterward, it was between 340,000 and nearly 470,000 per day, figures that represent a true digital renaissance for the classic.
This kind of uptick recalls similar situations after Bowie’s death in 2016, when his songs and albums once again topped playlists and physical sales, underscoring the timeless relevance of his catalog
Why Stranger Things chose “Heroes”.
The presence of “Heroes” in the finale of Stranger Things was not a random aesthetic device. Since the first seasons, the series has turned the music of the 70s and 80s into an emotional language of its own, reintroducing classics to a new audience.
The idea to use Bowie’s original version, rather than the Peter Gabriel reinterpretation used in previous seasons, came from Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), who suggested the theme for the end credits in a decision that creators Ross and Matt Duffer described as perfectly natural and symbolic.
A classic with timeless significance
“Heroes” was released in 1977 as part of Bowie’s influential Berlin Trilogy, recorded with Tony Visconti and Brian Eno at the mythical Hansa Studios near the Berlin Wall. The song not only carries historical weight, but has been reinterpreted as an anthem of resistance, identity and the desire to transcend personal and collective boundaries.
That same spirit resonates today: “Heroes” not only accompanies a series finale, but provides an emotional outlet for millions of viewers who experienced Stranger Things as a collective rite of farewell.
Nearly a significant anniversary with Bowie, ever present
The revival of “Heroes” comes at a particularly symbolic time: shortly before the 10th anniversary of David Bowie’s death, which occurred on January 10, 2016, two days after releasing his Blackstar album at age 69 following a quiet battle with cancer.
That date is no coincidence in the calendars of fans: every January, fans and critics remember not only the figure of Bowie, but his ability to reinvent himself until the end, as shown by his posthumous work, thought with artistic awareness even in the last days of his life.
Bowie’s impact following his passing was immediate. Sales and plays of his music soared globally in 2016 and his legacy was affirmed as one of the most influential in rock, pop and contemporary culture.
Cultural resonance, from the 1980s to the present day
This is not the first time Stranger Things has powered classic themes:
- “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush returned to the global charts after appearing in Season 4.
- Prince’s hits such as “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry” were also played at the end, doubling the number of plays.
The music in Stranger Things has become a protagonist in its own right: it not only sets the scene, but also connects emotions, generations and narratives, turning classics into objects of cultural rediscovery.
Bowie never left
That a song from 1977 is back in the global spotlight says a lot about its power.
And that this happens right around the commemoration of Bowie’s death – an artist who always knew how to combine innovation, emotion and reinvention – transforms this upturn into more than just numbers: it is a reminder of his cultural eternity.
“Heroes” is not just a classic.
It’s a bridge between eras.
A farewell and a welcome.
A song that, like Bowie himself, continues to resonate when the world seems to need it.
