A 1980s hit is experiencing an unexpected burst of popularity, thanks to “Stranger Things”.
The first part of the Netflix hit’s fourth season dropped on Friday, May 27, and the first episode featured a scene in which Max (Sadie Sink) plays Kate Bush’s 1985 track “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)”.
As those who’ve binge-watched the new episodes will realize, the song has some significance for the storyline, and becomes increasingly important as the episodes progress.
READ MORE: Netflix Adds Content Warning To ‘Stranger Things 4’ Premiere Following Texas Shooting
Thanks to its exposure in the show, viewers have apparently rediscovered the song, nearly 40 years after its original release; as TVLine reports, just two days after the new season’s debut, “Running Up That Hill” has rocketed up the iTunes charts, capturing the No. 1 spot.
While the song enjoyed some popularity in its day — it cracked the top 30 on Billboard’s Hot 100 single chart — it never came close to No. 1.
Meanwhile, the soundtrack on which the song appears is also climbing up the iTunes charts, with the “Stranger Things” season 4 soundtrack currently at No. 6.
Following the song’s unexpected success, Bush issued a statement on her website to share her excitement at the song’s newfound popularity — and revealed that she’s a big fan of “Stranger Things”.
“You might’ve heard that the first part of the fantastic, gripping new series of ‘Stranger Things’ has recently been released on Netflix,” wrote Bush.
“It features the song, ‘Running Up That Hill’ which is being given a whole new lease of life by the young fans who love the show — I love it too!” she continued. “Because of this, ‘Running Up That Hill’ is charting around the world and has entered the UK chart at No. 8. It’s all really exciting! Thanks very much to everyone who has supported the song.”
She concluded, “I wait with bated breath for the rest of the series in July. Best wishes, Kate.”
