The world is still reeling from the emotional powerhouse that was the Stranger Things series finale. In a move that has stunned both music and television fans, the official Prince YouTube channel has released a stunning visualizer for “Purple Rain” that directly honors the pivotal role the legendary 1984 record played in the show’s massive conclusion. The video features a spinning vinyl of Side 2, mimicking the exact record seen in the final moments of the series.
The series finale utilized the Purple Rain vinyl record as more than just a soundtrack; it was the literal trigger for the destruction of the Upside Down. In the episode’s most high-stakes moment, the record was used to time a massive detonation designed to end the supernatural threat once and for all. As the needle moved across those iconic tracks, it counted down the seconds until the final stand against the darkness.
The emotional weight of the song “Purple Rain” actually began during the climactic scene where Eleven pulls Mike into the Void. In this pitch-black, psychic space, Eleven brings Mike in to say a final, heartbreaking goodbye. As the first chords of the ballad begin to swell, the show launches into a powerful flashback sequence detailing their entire relationship. This journey through their history provided the necessary emotional anchor before the chaos of the final battle took over and the explosives were triggered.
As the record played on in the “real” world, the music reached its crescendo just as the plan came to fruition. The interdimensional matter holding the Upside Down together exploded at the song’s emotional peak, bringing a definitive end to the nightmare that has haunted Hawkins for years. This “needle drop” was a creative masterstroke, as the Duffer Brothers chose Prince because they needed a song that carried the weight of the world ending while celebrating the love that saved it.
Securing the rights to Prince’s crown jewel was previously considered an impossible feat. The Prince estate has notoriously guarded his catalog, and “Purple Rain” has rarely been licensed for television. The cultural impact of Stranger Things clearly made this miracle possible, proving to the estate that the show treats musical legacies with unparalleled reverence. This new upload from the Prince channel is the ultimate salute to Eleven’s final stand and the legendary music that accompanied it.