Joe Keery Hits Number One: A 'Stranger Things' Soundtrack Surge

The Rise of Joe Keery: From Hawkins to Chart-Toppers

Joe Keery, the beloved actor who brought Steve Harrington to life in Netflix's Stranger Things, is celebrating a remarkable moment in his dual career as a musician. Under the stage name Djo, he has shot to the number one spot in the UK charts with his single *End of Beginning*, originally released in 2022. Its resurgence is not merely a personal achievement for Keery; it coincides with a broader fascination with nostalgic music spurred by the show's finale, which has propelled various 1980s classics back into the public's consciousness.

“For younger users, the release date doesn't matter because they're hearing everything for the first time.”

Keery's leap to the top spot epitomizes the unique synergy between music and television in our digital age, where viral moments can spark unexpected revivals. *End of Beginning* isn't part of the series' official soundtrack, but fan-made edits of the show's poignant concluding episode have turned it into a TikTok phenomenon, amassing 5.4 million streams in the UK alone just this past week.

Nostalgic Gold: Classic Tracks Riding the Wave

A host of 1980s tracks showcased in Stranger Things have also seen a remarkable rise in popularity, with legends like Prince, Kate Bush, and The Police making notable comebacks in the charts:

• 12 - Prince, *Purple Rain* (1984)
• 14 - Kate Bush, *Running Up That Hill* (1985)
• 17 - The Police, *Every Breath You Take* (1983)
• 20 - Fleetwood Mac, *Landslide* (1975)

This phenomenon highlights a fascinating trend: music from earlier decades continues to capture the zeitgeist as we increasingly showcase our nostalgia on platforms like TikTok.

Chart-Topping Trends and Viral Moments

The significance of TikTok in propelling these older songs into modern relevance cannot be overlooked. Data trackers like Chartmetric are noting a surge in streams as nostalgia serves as a gateway for younger audiences to explore classics from past eras. According to Sarah Kloboves, a music data expert, “TikTok has a habit of tapping into nostalgia as a way to engage audiences.”

“These older tracks ultimately appeal to a broader audience.”

This revival is not just a fleeting trend but a reflection of how our collective consciousness and cultural touchstones are reshaped through social media platforms. Every play of “Running Up That Hill” from a teenager suddenly experiencing it for the first time can only add to the song's mystique and place in cultural history.

The Streaming Era: Past Meets Present

One can't ignore the impact streaming has had on music consumption. With over 55 million plays globally on Spotify in just a week following Stranger Things' finale, the passive act of scrolling through TikTok videos is now a powerful springboard for music popularity.

The Bigger Picture: Our Love for Nostalgia

Despite not being featured in the latest season, iconic tracks like The Police's *Every Breath You Take* and Dua Lipa's *Lush Life* have also reclaimed their spots within the top 40, demonstrating just how omnipresent this love for nostalgia has become. Streaming platforms, TikTok challenges, and the sheer reach of internet culture have turned the way we engage with music into a shared experience.

While Keery garners applause for his dual talent, his success mirrors a genre-blurring landscape where television and music coalesce into a phenomenon that feels at once fresh and timeless, reminding us that the melodies of our past are not only comforting but pivotal in shaping contemporary culture. As our playlists are enlivened with the echoes of yesteryears, we must marvel at the profound connection between art and audience that continues to thrive in today's digital world.