Securing musical rights for television and film projects, especially for globally recognized songs, presents a formidable and often costly endeavor. The final episode of "Stranger Things" successfully featured two of Prince's most celebrated works, "When Doves Cry" and "Purple Rain," a feat that involved an unexpectedly intricate journey.
The integration of these songs was particularly challenging due to a specific plot requirement: both tracks needed to be the opening and closing numbers on a single side of a vinyl record. This unique constraint transformed the selection process into a complex puzzle for music supervisor Nora Felder, far surpassing the challenges encountered with other popular music choices in the series, such as Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" or Metallica's "Master of Puppets." Despite the hurdles, the strategic placement of these songs in the finale yielded remarkable results, with "Purple Rain" experiencing a 243% increase in global Spotify streams and a 577% surge among Gen Z listeners. Similarly, "When Doves Cry" saw a 200% rise in global streams and a 128% increase among Gen Z, underscoring the powerful connection between the show's narrative and its musical score.
Nora Felder, a seasoned music supervisor, meticulously navigated the approval process with the Prince estate and associated record labels. She crafted detailed proposals outlining the narrative significance of each song's use within the show's context. The initial proposal of Prince's songs was met with hesitation due to the estate's strict approval processes, but the compelling argument for their thematic alignment with the show's emotional climax ultimately secured their inclusion. Felder emphasized that while financial considerations are part of the negotiation, the estate's primary concern was honoring Prince's artistic legacy and ensuring the usage resonated with his intentions. The successful clearance not only enriched the series' conclusion but also introduced Prince's enduring music to a new generation of fans.
The fusion of compelling narratives with thoughtfully chosen music amplifies the emotional resonance of storytelling, leaving a lasting imprint on audiences and ensuring that artistic legacies continue to inspire across generations.