Which song by The Clash recurs in season 1 of "Stranger Things", linked to Will and Jonathan?

The story behind the answer

The Clash song that recurs in season 1 of "Stranger Things" is "Should I Stay or Should I Go." Its repeated appearances are closely tied to the relationship between Will Byers and his older brother Jonathan.

The song first functions as a shared point of connection between the brothers. Jonathan plays it for Will, and its lyrics and title acquire additional meaning after Will disappears into the Upside Down. Joyce later hears the song during her attempts to communicate with him, making the track part of the emotional language between the ordinary world and the supernatural one.

The song was released by The Clash in 1982, just before the events of the first season. Music supervisor Nora Felder chose it because it supported the story and helped express the brothers' bond. It is easy to confuse this track with the show's original electronic score or with other prominent songs from later seasons, including Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill."

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

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