Joe Keery’s Three-Year-Old Track Goes No. 1

A Stranger Things actor has achieved what many thought impossible in today’s music landscape: dethroning Taylor Swift from the top of Spotify’s global chart. Joe Keery, who releases music as Djo, saw his three-year-old song “End of Beginning”—which never even appeared on the show—surge to No. 1, ending Swift’s 78-day dominance and showcasing a major win for organic fan-driven momentum over corporate industry promotion.

Story Highlights

Joe Keery’s 2022 track “End of Beginning” knocked Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” from Spotify’s No. 1 spot
The surge followed the *Stranger Things* finale on December 31, 2025, ending Swift’s 78-day chart dominance
Swift had previously praised Keery’s song during a 2023 studio encounter in New York
The track reached No. 6 on Billboard Hot 100, marking Djo’s first top-10 hit

Organic Fan Power Defeats Industry Machine

Joe Keery, known to millions as Steve Harrington from *Stranger Things*, achieved something remarkable in January 2026. His song “End of Beginning,” released under the stage name Djo in 2022, surged to Spotify’s global No. 1 position. The track displaced Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia,” which had maintained its stranglehold on the charts for 78 consecutive days following Swift’s October 2025 album release.

Joe Keery’s “End of Beginning” hits #1 on US Spotify, dethroning Taylor Swift. pic.twitter.com/1T7cpcR9CB

— Stranger Things Memes (@SThingsMeme) January 4, 2026

The timing coincided perfectly with the *Stranger Things* season 5 finale on December 31, 2025. Unlike previous instances where the show directly featured chart-climbing songs, “End of Beginning” never appeared in any episode. The surge represented pure fan-driven momentum, demonstrating authentic grassroots support over manufactured industry promotion. This organic achievement highlights what happens when genuine artistry connects with audiences rather than relying on corporate media manipulation.

Joe Keery just dethroned Taylor Swift (Sources: Spotify, NY Post)

Swift’s Gracious Recognition of Real Talent

The story becomes even more compelling when considering Swift’s previous endorsement of Keery’s work. During a June 2023 encounter at a New York recording studio, Swift approached Keery with genuine enthusiasm, telling him, “Hey, I really love that track.” Keery later recalled on *The Spout Podcast* how Swift’s musical knowledge impressed him, noting her reputation for being “hip to new music” across genres.

Swift’s track “The Fate of Ophelia” continued its Billboard Hot 100 dominance, securing a tenth consecutive week at No. 1—her longest-running chart-topper, surpassing “Anti-Hero’s” eight-week reign. Meanwhile, Keery’s “End of Beginning” climbed from No. 16 to No. 6 on the same chart, marking Djo’s first top-10 breakthrough. The dual success demonstrates how authentic artistry can coexist without manufactured rivalry.

“The song has just been swallowed by culture,” “Stranger Things” Joe Keery said about his No. 1 hit

Actor-Musicians Breaking Hollywood’s Music Barriers

Keery’s success represents a broader trend of actors successfully crossing into music without compromising their artistic integrity. Before *Stranger Things* fame, he spent years grinding as drummer, guitarist, and vocalist for Chicago psych-rock band Post Animal from 2015-2018. His solo project Djo, launched in 2019, has produced three albums including *Twenty Twenty*, *Decide*, and *The Crux*.

This achievement differs significantly from typical Hollywood vanity music projects. Keery built his musical credibility through years of dedication to his craft, creating substantive work that resonates with audiences based on merit rather than celebrity status. His success proves that when actors approach music with genuine commitment and talent, they can achieve legitimate artistic breakthroughs that transcend their television fame.

Watch: Joe Keery just dethroned Taylor Swift on US Spotify with ‘End of Beginning.’