9 Vecna Songs That Would Save Us From the Upside Down

In a season four "Stranger Things" interview with Netflix, Sadie Sink revealed that Taylor Swift's "August" would save her from Vecna's spell. "That song honestly can revive me from anything," she said, even though she admitted that Swift's "The 1" was at the top of her Spotify Wrapped in 2021.

On May 30, Noah Schnapp, who plays mild-mannered Will Byers on "Stranger Things," surprised fans when he tweeted, "If I ever get cursed by vecna just play WAP on my AirPods and I'll be out of that trance in no time." Considering the song debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 list with 93 million US streams, it makes sense that Schnapp — and the 245,000 people who liked his post — would let Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion save them from supernatural peril.

"There may be songs I love a little more, but I would want my scene of escaping Vecna's clutches to be just as thrilling as Max's, so I need a song that would give me the power to run for my life (and I hate running). But if 'Cruel Summer' came on?? Taylor, I am sprinting to you." — Victoria Edel, staff writer, movies & TV

"This has been my go-to karaoke song for years, so I think the nostalgic memories tied to it would help pull me out of Vecna's grasp. The lyrics are also pretty fitting for that situation, since I'd be 'reaching for something in the distance' just like Max was as she ran toward her friends to escape the Upside Down." — Victoria Messina, editor, trending and viral features

"If I found myself fighting for my life against Vecna in the Upside Down, I'd need a song with '80s pop synths and irresistible lyrics to bring me back to the here and now. Eddie Murphy's 'Party All The Time' is the song for the job. Not only is it the most fun singalong bop 1985 had to offer, but it also brings me back to my '80s baby happy place. Vecna wouldn't stand a chance." — Jada Gomez, executive editor, entertainment and style

"My Vecna song is 'September' by Earth, Wind & Fire. This song is such a classic — I'm sure there are people who have been to too many weddings and are tired of it — but for me, it never fails to put me in an amazing mood. I can't help but dance and sing to it literally any time or place I hear it, even if it's inappropriate — and not just the chorus, but also the 'ba-du' part. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't smile to this song. Other than the movie 'The Parent Trap,' this song isn't tied to any personal memories of mine, and it doesn't hold any real emotional special significance for me, other than that it's a bop. Fall is my favourite season, too, so maybe there's something there? Either way, I think this would definitely help pull me out of the Upside Down." — Lauren Mazzo, senior fitness editor

"If this song has 100 fans, I'm one of them. If it has ten fans, I am one of them. If it has one fan, that is me. If this song has no fans, then that means I am no longer on Earth. This song feels so sweet to me, like pure nostalgia. Described by the band's frontman as 'a break-up song, but . . . positive.' Inject it straight into my veins." — Chandler Plante, assistant editor, trending and viral features

"I nominate 'Ding Dong!' by Katya. 1) Try putting it on and NOT dancing, I dare you. 2) The song is so (intentionally) trashy and stupid it makes me laugh every time I listen to it." — Beau Brink, senior SEO manager

"My Vecna song is absolutely 'Sweetness' by Jimmy Eat World. No matter what mood I'm in, if I hear those opening notes and Jim Adkins tempt me with, 'If you're listening, sing it back,' I'm not only listening and whoa oh-oh-oh-oh-ohing back, but scream-singing the rest of the lyrics at the top of my lungs, too. It's a timeless track and the perfect shower bop, karaoke song, summer anthem, etc. It would 100 percent pump me up to run from Vecna's upside-down land of doom and back into reality." — Alessia Santoro, senior SEO editor

"For me, 'I'm Every Woman' sung by Whitney Houston would be my 'Vecna' song, not only for its iconic, upbeat rhythm but for its demonstration of women empowerment. With this classic gem, I'm likely to bust out dancing once the beat drops!" — Tasha Dowbachuk, social strategy coordinator

"There's a reason 'Mr. Brightside' by The Killers has spent a record-breaking six years at the top of the UK's Singles Chart (yes, even 19 years after it was released). I'd like to think it's because I play it on loop every few weeks — one listen is never enough — but I don't live in the UK, so I highly doubt it. Still, this is the song that immediately gets me bouncing in my seat and transforms me from a casual listener to a carbon copy of Brandon Flowers dripping in glitter and resentment as he belts out one of the most iconic jealousy anthems of our time." — Chanel Vargas, assistant editor, trending and viral features