| This article is about the title theme. For the series, see Stranger Things. |
The Stranger Things theme was composed by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein of the synth band S U R V I V E. The theme plays over the show's title sequence, as well as the end credits of most episodes. The version heard in the title sequence was released as the track "Stranger Things", as part of Stranger Things, Volume One. An extended version is also featured in Stranger Things, Volume Two.
Composition[]
The theme centers on a C major 7th arpeggio, repeatedly ascending and descending. The arpeggio is hand-played on an Oberheim SEM Two Voice.
Development[]
Dixon and Stein experimented with "a bunch of ideas" for potential themes, sending over demos or "sketches" to the Duffer Brothers. The Duffers became particularly interested in one demo called "Prophecy" for its upbeat yet mysterious feel, and asked Dixon and Stein to develop it further:
| “ | There was not that much of a brief [from the directors] for what the theme needed to be. Early on, before there were approved title graphics, it was more ‘What do you got?’ After the Duffers sifted through some old and new compositions, they really liked the mood of a demo I’d made for S U R V I V E that probably never would have seen the light of day. I set up the [Akai] MPC to re-sequence all of the parts live in the room so I could rewrite the arrangement and come up with additional parts. After about three renditions there was something in the ballpark of what you know as the theme. | ” |
Although the musical cue may not seem vastly complicated, there’s more going on than is immediately apparent, as Stein explains:
| “ | The theme consists of roughly 25 tracks and 25 various synths. The list spans across the board. There’s [Korg] Mono/Poly arpeggios, [Roland] Jupiter 8 leads, Mellotron M400 choir stabs, [Sequential Circuits] Prophet 5 and 6 and VS pads and effects, [Roland] SH-2 on the bass line, [Sequential] Pro-One does the heartbeat thumps, and an original Oberheim SEM Two Voice playing the main arpeggiated sequence, to name a few. There is a lot of layering of the same part, which is a very common technique I use for mood and depth. | ” |
Dixon and Stein worked on 30 seconds, 45 seconds and 1 minute versions of the track, implementing a sense of build-up and climax. The minute-long version was chosen to be played during the title sequence; Imaginary Forces, the creators of the title sequence, largely edited around the structure of the track.[2][3]
Versions[]
| # | Track name | Album | Track no. | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Stranger Things” |  Volume One |
1 | All episodes, on title sequence |
| 2 | "Stranger Things (Extended)" |  Volume Two |
36 | N/A |
| 3 | "To Be Continued" |  (original soundtrack) |
34 | "The Gate" |
| 4 | "Inverted (Season Finale)" (an orchestral mix of the ST theme, composed by Rob Simonsen)[4] |
Available at https://www.robsimonsen.com/film [4] | N/A | "The Piggyback" |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Scoring Stranger Things" Sound on Sound. March 2017.
- ↑ "’Stranger Things’ Composers Interview: Duo Discusses Soundtrack, That Haunting Theme Song and More" IndieWire. August 10, 2016.
- ↑ "Stranger Things episode 5: The Duffer Brothers explain the show's soundtrack" Entertainment Weekly. July 16, 2016.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "STRANGER THINGS - Rob Simonsen"