Stranger Things Meets Prince: The Journey of 'When Doves Cry' and 'Purple Rain' in the Finale

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The Challenge of Clearing Iconic Songs for "Stranger Things"

Securing the rights to use a song in film or TV is a complex and costly process, especially when it involves iconic tracks. The more legendary the song, the more challenging and expensive the clearance tends to be. This was particularly true when two of Prince's most famous songs, "When Doves Cry" and "Purple Rain," were featured in the finale of "Stranger Things." The story behind this decision is as intricate as the music itself.

The challenge wasn't just about clearing the songs with the Prince estate, but also about fitting them into the show's plot. The two songs had to be the first and last on one side of a vinyl album, which made the task even more complicated. This requirement was likened to solving a Rubik’s Cube for the music supervisor, making it far more difficult than selecting other well-known tracks like Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" or Metallica's "Master of Puppets."

Despite the complexity, the effort paid off. Since the episode aired on New Year's Eve, "Purple Rain" saw a 243% increase in Spotify global streams and a 577% surge in global Gen-Z streams. "When Doves Cry" also experienced a 200% boost in global streams, along with a 128% increase in Gen Z streams. Overall, Prince's catalog saw a 190% rise in streams, with an 88% increase among Gen Z listeners.

Nora Felder, president of Picture Music Company and a veteran music supervisor for "Stranger Things," was instrumental in navigating these challenges. She described the experience of watching the finale in a theater with her family as emotional and powerful. She emphasized that the music in the show resonates because it extends the characters' journeys and deepens the audience's connection to the story.

The Intention Behind the Music

Felder explained that the intention behind using music in "Stranger Things" was always to find songs that pushed the narrative and represented the characters. While the creators didn’t set out to make music a central character, the result was a show where music plays a vital role. This approach allowed the music to become a natural extension of the story and the characters.

The inclusion of Prince's songs was a surprise, and it posed significant challenges. Felder described how the scene required the first and last songs on one side of a vinyl album. This narrow window made the search for suitable songs extremely difficult. She recalled staying up all night researching albums and flipping through books to find the right fit.

Felder also shared how she approached the task of finding alternative songs for the Duffer Brothers. For instance, she suggested several options for a scene involving Karen fighting a monster, ultimately leading to the selection of ABBA's "Fernando." However, the Prince songs were a different challenge altogether.

Navigating the Clearance Process

Clearing the Prince songs involved extensive communication with rights holders. Felder used her background in English to create detailed "theses" explaining the context and significance of the songs. This helped convince the Prince estate to approve the use of "Purple Rain" and "When Doves Cry."

She worked closely with clearance coordinators and representatives from Primary Wave, Universal Music Publishing, and Warner Records. Each party was supportive, and the process took several weeks. Despite the uncertainty, the Duffer Brothers were committed to using the songs, which made the effort worthwhile.

Felder also reflected on the deeper meaning of the songs. "Purple Rain" symbolizes chaos and redemption, while "When Doves Cry" deals with conflict and sorrow. These themes aligned with the emotional moments in the show, making the songs a perfect fit.

Looking Ahead

Although Felder expressed some sadness over the end of "Stranger Things," she is already moving on to new projects. She will be working on "Yellow Jackets" and the Duffer Brothers’ upcoming show, "The Boroughs." She hopes to take time to find something special after that.

The success of the Prince songs in "Stranger Things" highlights the power of music in storytelling. It also underscores the importance of careful curation and the willingness to take on challenging tasks to enhance the viewer's experience.

[Marty Silverstone, President of Global Sync at Primary Wave Music, tells: "We're thrilled that we could play a part in bringing these very special uses to life and have Prince's music included in the phenomenon that is 'Stranger Things.' You have to admire the unique connection the show has with its fanbase, its brilliant music curation over its entire run, and its spotlight on the cosmic importance of music in the lives of young people, and all people!"]