Stranger Things 5's cherished artist Joe Keery, known as DJo, has taken the top spot from Taylor Swift on Spotify. The enthusiasm and admiration for his
role as Steve Harrington were so profound that his track End of Beginning surged back up the charts. Joe, performing under the name Djo, reached No. 1 on Spotify's Global chart earlier this week with his 2022 hit, gathering 6.52 million daily streams. He achieved his highest streaming day on the chart with 8.81 million streams on Wednesday. The song has now maintained its position at No. 1 for eight consecutive days. This dethrones Taylor Swift's The Fate of Ophelia, which had held the top position for a significant duration since her album The Life of a Showgirl launched in October 2025. End of Beginning by DJo has been leading since January 2, 2026, coinciding perfectly with Netflix's release of the final episode 8 titled The Rightside Up for Stranger Things 5, concluding the blockbuster series after a remarkable 9-year journey.
Joe Keery surpasses Taylor Swift
Outside of acting, Joe is a well-known musician who creates music under the alias DJo. From 2015 to 2018, he played drums, guitar, and sang for the Chicago-based garage and psych-rock group Post Animal. After leaving the band in 2018 to focus on his acting career, Joe embarked on a solo journey and released the unexpected hit End of Beginning in 2024. Initially the sixth track from his second studio album, Decide, it gained viral popularity on social media, particularly TikTok, leading to its release as a single on March 1, 2024. The song marked his debut entry on the Billboard Hot 100.
Taylor Swift's response to End of Beginning
Joe had previously discussed Taylor Swift's response to his hit track End of Beginning prior to its release, recalling their time together at Electric Lady Studios. "She mentioned, 'Hey, I really like that song of yours…' Somehow it found its way to her attention, and she expressed her appreciation — very gracious of her," the artist recounted.
Joe Keery on balancing his acting and music careers
Joe also shared insights on how he strives to keep his dual identities as an actor and musician distinct. In an interview with Bustle, he stated, "It’s crucial to separate Steve from Stranger Things in relation to the band because I believe it could ultimately harm the band. I think it’s vital for them to establish their own identity and not be solely linked to Stranger Things."
For those unfamiliar, Joe had also recommended to the Duffer Brothers that they incorporate the original version of Heroes in the end credits of Stranger Things 5 alongside a montage of various characters from different scenes throughout the seasons, presented in an animated comic book style. He felt it aligned well with the Netflix show's aesthetic, especially since previous seasons featured a cover by Peter Gabriel.
