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- Old single, new spark: how a 2022 track returned to the top of Spotify
- Streaming numbers that tell the story
- Why listeners gravitated back to the song
- Joe Keery’s dual life: actor and musician
- What this chart swap says about music discovery today
- Reactions and ripple effects across fans and platforms
Taylor Swift’s run at the top of Spotify has been interrupted. After 78 straight days at No. 1 with a track from her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl, a song first released years earlier has reclaimed the crown.
Old single, new spark: how a 2022 track returned to the top of Spotify
“End of Beginning,” the Djo single from Joe Keery’s 2022 album Decide, surged back onto the global stage. The track was reissued as a single in 2024 after it found traction on social platforms.
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The catalyst this time was the final season of the hit series Stranger Things. The show’s farewell episodes drove viewers to revisit anything tied to its cast. Joe Keery, who performs under the name Djo and plays Steve Harrington on the show, naturally saw renewed interest.
Streaming numbers that tell the story
- 6.5 million global streams pushed “End of Beginning” to No. 1 on the Spotify Global Chart.
- The song also reached No. 1 on the U.S. Spotify chart with about 1.38 million streams.
- Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” had held the top spot for 78 consecutive days before being displaced.
- “End of Beginning” first hit No. 1 in 2024 after going viral on TikTok and Instagram.
Why listeners gravitated back to the song
Several factors combined to lift the track again:
- Stranger Things’ series finale renewed interest in works tied to the cast.
- Social media trends keep surfacing the song for new audiences.
- The song’s themes about endings and fresh starts echoed the moment.
The alignment of a cultural moment and a fitting lyrical theme created a powerful boost.
Joe Keery’s dual life: actor and musician
Keery has built a reputation on screen and in the studio. As Djo, he explores reflective, guitar-forward indie rock. As Steve Harrington, he became a fan favorite of a global hit show.
That crossover helps explain the song’s comeback. Viewers who followed the finale streamed the music, while social platforms amplified clips that featured the track.
Keery on a chance meeting with Taylor Swift
Keery recently recalled a surprise encounter with Taylor Swift at a recording studio. He said she told him she liked the song before it was widely released. His reaction was disbelief at first.
Keery described Swift as someone who actively seeks out new music. He said she had somehow discovered “End of Beginning” and offered a compliment that stuck with him: “I really love that track of yours.”
What this chart swap says about music discovery today
The episode underscores how fluid chart success can be. A song can leave the spotlight for years and then return thanks to TV moments, social nets, and celebrity endorsements.
For artists with multi-platform visibility, the ripple effects are magnified. In this case, a beloved actor’s track found fresh ears at a moment loaded with emotional resonance.
Reactions and ripple effects across fans and platforms
- Fans celebrated the unlikely comeback on social feeds.
- Playlists updated fast to reflect the new No. 1.
- Media coverage linked the chart move to the Stranger Things finale.
Keery called Swift’s praise “really, really nice of her.”
Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage
