Joe Keery, best known globally for his role as Steve Harrington on Netflix’s Stranger Things, has reached a major music milestone. The actor turned musician has officially topped the Spotify Global chart with his song “End of Beginning,” displacing a track by pop superstar Taylor Swift from the No. 1 position.
The achievement marks a rare crossover moment where a television actor, performing under a separate music identity, outpaces one of the biggest artists in the world on the most competitive streaming chart.
Joe Keery’s Musical Identity as Djo
While many audiences know him from Stranger Things, Joe Keery has built a parallel career in music under the stage name Djo. His sound leans toward alternative pop and indie rock, drawing influence from synth-heavy production and introspective songwriting.
“End of Beginning” was originally released in 2022 as part of Djo’s album Decide. At the time, it received modest attention, largely within indie music circles. However, the track has since experienced multiple waves of resurgence first through social media virality, and now through renewed cultural relevance, which can be credited to the virality of Stranger Things.
The song’s return to the top of the charts is closely linked to renewed interest in Stranger Things, particularly surrounding recent developments and discussions around the show’s conclusion. As fans revisited Joe Keery’s work, many discovered or rediscovered his music.
Streaming numbers surged rapidly, pushing “End of Beginning” past Taylor Swift’s chart-leading track and securing the No. 1 spot on Spotify’s Global chart, a ranking that reflects listening activity across all countries.
This is not the first time the song has performed strongly. It previously gained traction after going viral online, but this latest run represents its most significant commercial peak to date.
Taylor Swift’s Chart Run Interrupted
Taylor Swift has remained one of Spotify’s most dominant artists, frequently holding the top spot with extended chart runs. Her displacement by “End of Beginning,” even if temporary, highlights the unpredictable nature of streaming culture where moments of pop-culture relevance can dramatically reshape listening habits overnight.
The shift does not signal a decline in Swift’s popularity, but rather underscores how audience attention can pivot quickly when music intersects with film, television, and online trends.