The Official Charts Company says "Stranger Things turns the Official Singles Chart Upside Down!" In its roundup for the chart week ending October 22, 2026, the Official Charts Company reports that the Netflix phenomenon has sent another wave of classic songs back into the UK Top 40 — and Prince's "Purple Rain" is leading the charge as the single biggest surge of the lot.
It is a familiar story for fans of the show. The new season's needle drops have pushed Kate Bush back up to No.14 and handed Fleetwood Mac a first-ever chart placing at No.20 — but it is Prince's "Purple Rain", storming back into the UK Top 40 at No.12, that stands as the defining winner of the Stranger Things effect this week.
The Stranger Things Effect: Every Song Back in the UK Top 40
"Purple Rain" — Prince: Re-enters the UK Top 40 at No.12 — the biggest surge of the Stranger Things wave, and his first UK Top 40 single since his death a decade ago.
"Running Up That Hill" — Kate Bush: Jumps two places to No.14 — a song now synonymous with the show.
"Every Breath You Take" — The Police: Vaults 41 places to No.17 — the band's highest UK placing in 43 years.
"Landslide" — Fleetwood Mac: Makes its Official Singles Chart debut at No.20, 41 years after its 1975 release.
Diana Ross's disco classic — Diana Ross: Returns to the Top 40 for the first time in 46 years, up 60 spots to No.26.
"I Think We're Alone Now" — Tiffany: Jumps to No.27 — her highest UK placing in 38 years. The track soundtracks a scene with Holly Wheeler, and Tiffany told UK fans: "Thank you so much. I love you all in the UK to the bottom of my heart..."
"Heroes" — David Bowie: Rebounds to No.34 — his highest UK placing in 14 years, up 172% week-on-week.
"Should I Stay Or Should I Go" — The Clash: Breaks into the Top 40 at No.40 — the band's first appearance there in 35 years.
Why Prince's Purple Rain Surged Again
Released in 1984, "Purple Rain" is Prince's signature song — and the Official Charts Company reports that its return at No.12 marks his first UK Top 40 single since his death a decade ago. The show's spotlight has put the track in front of a generation hearing it for the first time, while longtime fans are streaming it all over again. New listeners can start with our Prince biography, and revisit the words in our Purple Rain lyrics by Prince.
This Isn't the First Time the Show Moved Charts
The Official Charts Company frames this as the second great Stranger Things chart wave: the January 2026 finale wave took Djo's "End of Beginning" all the way to UK No.1. Catalog comebacks are having a moment more broadly — Robyn's Dancing On My Own returns to the UK Top 40 after 16 years, and the Backstreet Boys storm back in Germany with 10 Düsseldorf shows.
Watch the Official Video
Watch Prince's official "Purple Rain" performance video below:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Purple Rain back in the UK Top 40?
According to the Official Charts Company, the Stranger Things effect has pushed Prince's 1984 classic back into the chart at No.12 for the week ending October 22, 2026 — the biggest surge of the wave.
Which songs are charting because of Stranger Things?
Prince's "Purple Rain" (No.12), Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" (No.14), The Police's "Every Breath You Take" (No.17), Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" (No.20), Diana Ross's disco classic (No.26), Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now" (No.27), David Bowie's "Heroes" (No.34) and The Clash's "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" (No.40).
Has the show boosted charts before?
Yes — the January 2026 finale wave took Djo's "End of Beginning" to UK No.1, making this the show's second major chart takeover.
Where can I watch Prince's official Purple Rain video?
You can watch it on Prince's official YouTube channel — the official video is embedded above.
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