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Getting a song played in a hit series is, in itself, a complex task. Do it with two of Prince's most iconic compositions and, furthermore, place them at a key point in the outcome of Stranger Thingsborders on the exceptional. Behind the inclusion of When Doves Cry and purple rain At the end of the series there are months of work, delicate negotiations and a narrative demand that turned the process into one of the greatest musical challenges of the production.
The person responsible for facing this challenge was Nora Feldermusical supervisor of the project since its inception. His mission was not limited to finding emotionally powerful songs: the script imposed an almost impossible condition. Both pieces had to belong to the same album and occupy very specific positions within the vinyl. The first had to open one side of the disk and the second close it. “Exactly! My heart stopped, like, oh, that's hard!”Felder acknowledges when remembering the moment he received the instructions from the Duffer brothers.
The choice of Prince was not a preconceived decision. According to Felder herself, the songs were not written in the script: “They were not written. They were 'to be determined' moments at the two points in the script where a song needed to play”. From there she began an exhaustive investigation that led her to review entire catalogs and discard dozens of options that did not comply with the strict structure required by history.
WECB
WECB
When the possibility of using When Doves Cry and purple rainthe challenge went from the creative to the legal level. Prince's legacy is known for his extreme caution when it comes to authorizing the use of his music. Felder was aware of this: “We could finish it with purple rain and start with When Doves Crybut honestly, I don't even know if I can.” Still, he decided to try.
The key was to construct what she defines as a “thesis”, a detailed document that explained the narrative context, the emotional meaning of the scenes and the absolute respect for the artist's work. “It's not just about the money, it's about finding what Prince would have wanted and doing it in the most respectful way possible”emphasizes the music supervisor.
The process involved several companies and rights representatives, and dragged on for weeks of uncertainty. Meanwhile, the crew shot the scenes leaving room to incorporate the music later. Finally, the authorization came and the impact was immediate: after the premiere, purple rain saw a 243% increase in global views, while When Doves Cry grew by 200%with special force among the young public.
Why did you choose these songs?
For Felder, artistic fit was as important as subsequent success. “purple rain “It has always symbolized the chaotic and sad world we live in, but ultimately it is also about redemption, love and transformation.”he explains. As to When Doves Cryadds a more ambiguous reading, linked to the conflict and unresolved emotions, just at a moment in which the story has not yet found its definitive closure.
Prince's music, integrated with surgical precision, not only accompanied the end of Stranger Things: Elevated it and proved again that when a series understands the narrative power of a song, it can rewrite its meaning for a whole new generation.
