Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” makes its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 following its inclusion in Stranger Things.
Metallica, then Kate Bush: The metal legends have had a pleasant little lift on the Billboard charts, with the 1986 song “Master of Puppets” entering the Hot 100 for the first time ever, thanks to a high-profile appearance on Season 4 of Stranger Things.
After Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) ripped the song from the Upside Down (with help from Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo’s son Tye, who recorded new guitar parts for the scene), “Master of Puppets” debuted at No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending July 16th.
Metallica has already thanked Netflix for the documentary by performing a duet with Munson on TikTok, with each member of the band wearing “Hellfire Club” T-shirts.
This year, Kate Bush was the first artist to gain from the so-called Stranger Things bump. Her 1985 single “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” re-entered the Billboard charts at No. 4 in June, while topping the UK Singles Chart. Bush’s comeback in pop culture spurred the reclusive artist to grant a rare interview to BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour podcast. “There are all these really young individuals hearing and discovering the music for the first time,” she remarked. “I believe it’s really unique.”
“Master of Puppets” also recently soundtracked a film of crop art commissioned by Netflix in tribute of Munson, who has become a fan favorite this season. Check out the environmental ode to the metalhead here, and watch the aforementioned Stranger Things guitar-shredding moment below.
