The key licensed song prominently used in the Stranger Things series finale of Season 5 is “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” by Kate Bush , which the show brings back as a major emotional and thematic callback to Max and the battle against Vecna.

Quick Scoop

In the final season, the soundtrack leans heavily into iconic 80s tracks, but “Running Up That Hill” is treated as the central, legacy song that returns in crucial climax and closing moments. It was already a breakout hit for Season 4, and Season 5 doubles down on it as a signature emotional motif, especially in the later episodes and ending sequences.

What song is in the Stranger Things finale?

  • The finale circles back to Kate Bush – “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” , used in a heightened, reworked or extended form tied to the show’s last big emotional beats.
  • This choice reinforces Max’s arc and the idea of music as protection and memory, mirroring how the song first saved her in Season 4.

Other finale‑season needle drops

While “Running Up That Hill” is the standout, Season 5’s final run of episodes also features:

  • “Upside Down” – Diana Ross in Episode 1 and as an end‑credits track, playing off the name of the parallel dimension.
  • “Mr. Sandman” – The Chordettes and “I Think We’re Alone Now” – Tiffany as eerie or bittersweet end‑credits songs in earlier Season 5 episodes, setting the tone for the closing stretch before the finale.

Fan theories vs. what actually plays

  • Before release, fans speculated the last episode might use “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (Tears for Fears) or power ballads like “Who Wants to Live Forever” (Queen) or “Purple Rain” (Prince) , based on interviews, social hints, and forum theories.
  • The finished Season 5 instead leans on its established musical identity, anchoring the ending around “Running Up That Hill” rather than a brand‑new marquee song.

Trending context

Since Season 5 dropped, searches and forum threads about “what song was in Stranger Things finale” mostly point back to “Running Up That Hill” clips and edits from the last episodes. The track has effectively become the anthem of Stranger Things, symbolizing the show’s blend of nostalgia, horror, and heartfelt character drama one last time.

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