The song “End of Beginning” by actor The remarkable feat ended a long dominance by Taylor Swift, whose song “The Fate of Ophelia” remained at the top for 78 consecutive days. The meteoric rise in the number of reproductions coincides directly with the repercussion generated by the final episode of the acclaimed series “Stranger Things”, where Keery plays the character Steve Harrington.
Originally released in 2022 as part of the album “Decide”, the track recorded an extraordinary volume of streams, surpassing the mark of 6.5 million global reproductions in a single day. Esse momentum not only guaranteed Djo the top of the world rankings, but also took it to unprecedented leadership in the Estados Unidos charts, consolidating the song’s success in strategic markets in the music industry.
The central theme of the song, which addresses feelings of nostalgia and reflection on returning to one’s origins, found a strong echo among the public that followed the outcome of the “Stranger Things” saga. The emotional connection between the song’s lyrics and the end of a cycle in the series was a determining factor in its virality and consequent rise on streaming platforms.
The musical trajectory of Djo
Before gaining worldwide fame for his work as an actor, Joe Keery already had an established career in the independent music scene. Ele was one of the founding members of the psychedelic rock band Post Animal, from Chicago, where he served as guitarist and vocalist, contributing to the group’s early work. Sua left the band so he could dedicate himself more intensely to his growing career in Hollywood, but his passion for music remained a fundamental side project in his artistic life.
In 2019, Keery began his solo journey under the pseudonym Djo, releasing his debut album “Twenty Twenty”, which was well received by specialized critics. The project evolved significantly with the release of “Decide” in 2022, a work that solidified its sonic identity, mixing synth-pop with indie rock. The artist has always made a point of keeping his careers distinct, seeking for his music to be appreciated on its own merits, without depending exclusively on the fame obtained with “Stranger Things”.
The phenomenon of End of Beginning
The rise of “End of Beginning” is an exemplary case of how a song can have multiple peaks in popularity at different times. The song had already experienced significant success in 2024, when it went viral on the TikTok platform, which propelled it to important charts such as the Billboard Hot 100. The production, praised for its reflective atmosphere and use of synthesizers, gained organic traction on social media. Contudo, was the context of the closure of “Stranger Things”, at the beginning of 2026, which provoked a second and even more overwhelming wave of popularity. The cultural event acted as a catalyst, connecting millions of fans of the series to Keery’s discography and transforming a 2022 track into one of the biggest global hits of the moment, demonstrating the strength of the synergy between different forms of entertainment.
The impact of the end of Stranger Things
The episode that marked the end of the Netflix series generated an immediate cultural effect, with millions of viewers looking for content related to the cast. Essa wave of interest was directly reflected in music streaming platforms.
This behavior is not unprecedented for the production, which in previous seasons had already been responsible for reviving classics such as “Running Up That Hill”, by Kate Bush, showing its ability to influence musical consumption.
The Djo track was the main beneficiary, racking up record streams in a short space of time and topping viral playlists, which expanded its reach to new listeners who weren’t necessarily following the series.
The dynamics of Spotify charts
The displacement of an artist of Taylor Swift’s caliber from the top of the charts highlights the fluid and unpredictable nature of the streaming market. The singer maintained prolonged hegemony, but was overcome by an organic and massive movement of fans of an iconic cultural production.
Industry analysts note that popularity spikes driven by cultural events, such as the end of a popular series, are increasingly common and demonstrate how collective engagement can quickly alter the music landscape.
Analysis of numbers and records
Streaming data confirms the scale of the success of “End of Beginning”. The song surpassed 6.9 million global plays on its peak days.
In Estados Unidos, one of the most competitive markets in the world, the track registered more than 1.3 million streams in a single day, guaranteeing the first local position in an unprecedented way for the artist.
In addition to the main rankings, the song featured prominently in several viral lists and editorial playlists on Spotify, which was crucial to expanding its audience.
These numbers illustrate the power of engagement generated by the intersection between the television and music industries, creating hits that transcend their original media.
Critical and public reactions
Music critics highlighted the authenticity of the Djo project and praised the production quality of “End of
The public’s reaction was overwhelming, with fans of the series and new listeners sharing the song massively on social media, which was essential in fueling the viralization cycle and keeping the song trending on platforms.
The musical future of Joe Keery
This global success represents a turning point for Joe Keery’s musical career, consolidating the name Djo on the international indie scene and opening doors for even greater recognition of his work as a composer and producer.
