Imagine the Upside Down soundtracked by the iconic chords of 'Stairway to Heaven'! That almost happened in the 'Stranger Things' finale, but the notoriously selective Led Zeppelin said no, and here's why that's a bigger deal than you might think.
Back in 2025, the Duffer brothers, the masterminds behind 'Stranger Things,' dropped hints that the grand finale would feature a previously unreleased (for TV, anyway) needle drop, all thanks to Kate Bush's influence. This immediately set the internet ablaze with speculation. The two leading theories? Either a song from Bush's close friend Prince, or something from Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour, who mentored her early in her career. Turns out, Prince was the correct guess! The emotional one-two punch of "When Doves Cry" and "Purple Rain" perfectly underscored the epic battle against the Upside Down and Eleven's apparent sacrifice.
Speaking with Variety, music supervisor Nora Felder revealed the painstaking process of securing the rights to Prince's music. And this is the part most people miss... Felder admitted their dream list included what many consider the holy grail of rock anthems: 'Stairway to Heaven'. "I’m not going to say Led Zeppelin didn’t come up," she confessed. "I tried Led Zeppelin, but it didn’t work because I was thinking ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and it wasn’t a first and a last situation... And I thought maybe Pink Floyd with The Wall."
But here's where it gets controversial... Led Zeppelin has a long-standing reputation for fiercely guarding their music. They’ve never allowed 'Stairway to Heaven' to be used in film or television, period. In a previous interview, Robert Plant explained that any decision regarding their music requires unanimous agreement from the band – "there are two Capricorns and one Leo" to contend with, he joked. They believe most offers simply don’t do their music justice. Think about it: their music is dynamic, full of romance, nuance, and drive, perfectly suited for films with genuine substance.
Examples of acceptable uses are rare but noteworthy. 'The Bear,' 'The Big Short,' and the absolute classic, 'School of Rock,' all earned the band's approval. As Plant eloquently put it, their music is "happily waiting for romance or nuance or drive that should link to a film with substance," but he added, "A lot of stuff is completely tasteless.”
So, do you really think Led Zeppelin would’ve given the go-ahead for their masterpiece to accompany scenes featuring the CGI Mind Flayer? It's a valid question! It highlights the band’s artistic integrity and unwavering commitment to protecting their legacy. Maybe it's a good thing we didn't get 'Stairway to Heaven' in 'Stranger Things.' Perhaps it's better left untouched, a timeless piece of rock history untarnished by the Upside Down.
What do you think? Was 'Stairway to Heaven' a good fit for 'Stranger Things,' or are Led Zeppelin right to be so selective? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
