Mon Dec 01 06:10:00 UTC 2025: ## ‘Stranger Things’ Guitar Solo Still Rocks, Sparks Debate on Music “Ownership” in TV

Hawkins, Indiana – A rock anthem moment in “Stranger Things” continues to resonate with fans, while also sparking a debate about how television shows use and repurpose iconic songs.

Last year, Joseph Quinn’s electrifying performance as Eddie Munson in “Stranger Things” Season 4, specifically his rendition of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” catapulted the character – and the actor – into pop culture stardom. The scene, where Eddie shreds the metal classic to distract Demobats, wasn’t just a TV moment; it was a cultural phenomenon, boosting the song’s popularity and even leading to Quinn jamming with Metallica themselves.

“Stranger Things” has a history of effectively using music to enhance its storytelling. From The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go” to Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God),” the show’s music choices have become integral to its narrative.

However, the show’s recent inclusion of Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now” in Season 5 has raised eyebrows. The song is strongly associated with Netflix’s “The Umbrella Academy,” where it soundtracks a pivotal scene of the Hargreeves siblings dancing in isolation. “Stranger Things” similarly uses the song in a montage featuring Holly Wheeler, leading some to question if the show is intentionally referencing the other series.

While “I Think We’re Alone Now” has appeared in other shows, the “Stranger Things” usage highlights the ongoing discussion: Can a TV show truly “own” a song, or does each new context simply deepen its cultural meaning?

For Quinn, the “Master of Puppets” scene highlights the power of television to revive and re-contextualize music for new audiences. Shows like “Lost,” “Black Mirror,” and “The Last of Us” have also demonstrated the impact of well-placed music in telling stories and reaching viewers emotionally.

Ultimately, the impact of music in TV lies not in exclusive ownership, but in the emotional connection it creates with viewers. As long as the stories resonate, so will the music.

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