Joe Keery’s ‘End of Beginning’ hits No 2 on global Spotify chart

The finale of "Stranger Things" has triggered a major streaming surge for actor-musician Joe Keery, with his song "End of Beginning" rising to No 2 on Spotify's Global Top 50 chart.

Following the release of the series' final episode on Thursday, the track recorded 5.04 million streams, placing it just behind Taylor Swift's "The Fate of Ophelia" on the global chart. The top five is rounded out by "Golden" from K-pop Demon Hunters, sombr's "Back to Friends", and Olivia Dean's "Man I Need".

Keery, widely known for his role as Steve Harrington in "Stranger Things", released "End of Beginning" under his music moniker Djo. While the song gained renewed popularity in 2024, it was originally released on September 16, 2022, by AWAL as part of his second album "Decide". The track had its first live performance earlier that year in Birmingham, Alabama, on April 28, 2022.

The song gradually entered international charts by early 2024, including the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. Its momentum accelerated after going viral on TikTok, prompting its official single release on March 1, 2024.

"End of Beginning" is a reflective, nostalgic track centred on the emotional pull of returning home to Chicago, a theme that has resonated strongly with listeners worldwide.

The Stranger Things Season 5 finale, now streaming on Netflix, features series regulars Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Sadie Sink, Caleb McLaughlin and Winona Ryder, bringing the Duffer Brothers' sci-fi saga to a close.

The chart success of "End of Beginning" highlights how the cultural impact of Stranger Things continues to extend beyond the screen, shaping music trends even after its final chapter.