"End of Beginning" is a song by American actor and singer-songwriter Joe Keery, under his alias, Djo. It was independently released on September 16, 2022, as track six of his second studio album Decide and later released as a single on March 1, 2024. The song gained popularity in early 2024 through TikTok.

"End of Beginning"
Single by Djo
from the album Decide
ReleasedMarch 1, 2024 (2024-03-01)
Genre
Length2:39
Label
Songwriter(s)Joe Keery
Producer(s)
  • Joe Keery
  • Adam Thein
Djo singles chronology
"Half Life"
(2022)
"End of Beginning"
(2024)
Lyric video
"End of Beginning" on YouTube

Background and composition edit

Having been released as part of the album Decide in 2022, the song did not garner attention until 2024 when TikTok users picked up a lyric of the track to underline clips of their hometown.[3] As a result, it entered charts in various countries by late February 2024, including Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart.[4]

"End of Beginning" is a synth-pop song,[4] accompanied by guitar riffs and a "nostalgic electro sound", about the recurring feeling of returning to a certain city, in Keery's case Chicago.[5]

Commercial performance edit

"End of Beginning" made its debut on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 51, with 8.4 million streams, on the chart dated March 2, 2024.[3] The song eventually peaked at number 11 in its fifth week on the chart dated March 30, 2024.[6]

In the United Kingdom, the song made its debut at number 100 on the Official Singles Chart Top 100 dated February 16, 2024.[7] The song rose to number 11 in its second week and finally reached its peak at number 4 in its fourth week in the chart dated March 8, 2024 thus becoming Djo's first Top 10 single on the Chart.[8]

Track listing edit

Cassette / digital download[9]

  1. "End of Beginning"
  2. "End of Beginning" (Instrumental)

Charts edit

Chart performance for "End of Beginning"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[10] 3
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[11] 4
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[12] 10
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[13] 36
Brazil (Brasil Hot 100)[14] 67
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[15] 9
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[16] 32
Croatia (Billboard)[17] 24
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[18] 88
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[19] 2
Denmark (Tracklisten)[20] 14
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[21] 17
France (SNEP)[22] 46
Germany (Official German Charts)[23] 7
Global 200 (Billboard)[24] 3
Greece (IFPI)[25] 11
Hungary (Single Top 40)[26] 31
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[27] 11
India International Singles (IMI)[28] 2
Indonesia (Billboard)[29] 1
Ireland (IRMA)[30] 2
Italy (FIMI)[31] 46
Latvia (LAIPA)[32] 2
Lithuania (AGATA)[33] 3
Luxembourg (Billboard)[34] 5
Malaysia (Billboard)[35] 2
Malaysia International (RIM)[36] 3
MENA (IFPI)[37] 4
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[38] 24
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[39] 12
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[40] 3
Norway (VG-lista)[41] 3
Philippines (Billboard)[42] 3
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[43] 7
Portugal (AFP)[44] 9
Saudi Arabia (IFPI)[45] 4
Singapore (RIAS)[46] 3
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[47] 5
South Africa (Billboard)[48] 16
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[49] 60
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[50] 13
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[51] 3
UAE (IFPI)[52] 3
UK Singles (OCC)[53] 4
UK Indie (OCC)[54] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[55] 11
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[56] 28
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[57] 2
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[58] 19
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[59] 11

Certifications edit

Certifications for "End of Beginning"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[60] Platinum 70,000
Canada (Music Canada)[61] Platinum 80,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[62] Gold 15,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[63] Gold 400,000
United States (RIAA)[64] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history edit

Release dates and format(s) for "End of Beginning"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various September 16, 2022 [65]
Italy March 1, 2024 Radio airplay Tune Fit [66]
Various May 17, 2024 Cassette
  • Djo Music
  • AWAL
[9]

References edit

  1. ^ Cavender, Elena (March 20, 2024). "Is Djo's 'End of Beginning' the beginning of the end for TikTok as a music discovery platform?". Mashable. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  2. ^ Griffiths, George (February 27, 2024). "Djo tops Official Trending Chart with End of Beginning". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Zellner, Xander (February 27, 2024). "Hot 100 First-Timers: Djo (Joe Keery From Stranger Things) Debuts With Viral Hit "End of Beginning"". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Smith, Carl (February 21, 2024). "Djo's End of Beginning: Joe Keery's synth-pop track goes viral with TikTok trend". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  5. ^ Driever, Natalie (February 23, 2024). "Djo - "End of Beginning"". WDR 1 (in German). Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  6. ^ "Billboard Hot 100™ - WEEK OF MARCH 30, 2024". Billboard. March 30, 2024. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  7. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 on 16/2/2024". Official Charts. February 16, 2024. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  8. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 on 8/3/2024". Official Charts. March 8, 2024. Archived from the original on April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "End Of Beginning Cassette". Djo Store. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  10. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  11. ^ "Djo – End of Beginning" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  12. ^ "Djo – End of Beginning" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  13. ^ "Djo – End of Beginning" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  14. ^ "Djo Chart History (Brasil Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  15. ^ "Djo Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  16. ^ "Djo Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  17. ^ "Djo Chart History (Croatia Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  18. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 202417 into search. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  19. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202410 into search. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  20. ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 12, 2024". Hitlisten. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  21. ^ "Djo: End of Beginning" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  22. ^ "Top Singles (Week 14, 2024)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  23. ^ "Djo – End of Beginning" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  24. ^ "Djo Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  25. ^ "IFPI Charts". www.ifpi.gr. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  26. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  27. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs - Week 14] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  28. ^ "IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 8th April 2024 | Week 14 of 52". IMIcharts. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024.
  29. ^ "Djo Chart History (Indonesia Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  30. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  31. ^ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 13" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  32. ^ "Straumēšanas TOP 2024 – 10. nedēļa" [Streaming TOP 2024 – Week 10] (in Latvian). LAIPA. March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  33. ^ "2024 10-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  34. ^ "Djo Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  35. ^ "Djo Chart History (Malaysia Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  36. ^ "TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 12 (15/03/2024-21/03/2024)". RIM. March 30, 2024. Retrieved March 30, 2024 – via Facebook.
  37. ^ "The Official Mena Chart - This Week's Official MENA Chart Top 20 from 08/03/2024 to 14/03/2024". theofficialmenachart.com. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  38. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 12, 2024" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  39. ^ "Djo – End of Beginning" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  40. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  41. ^ "Singel 2024 uke 11". VG-lista. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  42. ^ "Djo Chart History (Philippines Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  43. ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 15.03.2024–21.03.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  44. ^ "Djo – End of Beginning". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  45. ^ "This Week's Official Saudi Arabia Chart Top 20: from 15/03/2024 to 21/03/2024". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. March 15, 2024. Archived from the original on April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  46. ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 12 (15 - 21 Mar 2024)". RIAS. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  47. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202412 into search. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  48. ^ "Djo Chart History (South Africa Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  49. ^ "Top 100 Canciones/PROMUSICAE". El Portal de Musica. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  50. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 14". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  51. ^ "Djo – End of Beginning". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  52. ^ "This Week's Official UAE Chart Top 20: from 08/03/2024 to 14/03/2024". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. March 8, 2024. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  53. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  54. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  55. ^ "Djo Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  56. ^ "Djo Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  57. ^ "Djo Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  58. ^ "Djo Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  59. ^ "Djo Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  60. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles for week of 1 April 2024". Australian Recording Industry Association. April 1, 2024. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  61. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Djo – End of Beginning". Music Canada. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  62. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Djo – End of Beginning". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  63. ^ "British single certifications – Djo – End Of Beginning". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  64. ^ "American single certifications – Djo – End of Beginning". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  65. ^ Anderson, Carys (September 16, 2022). "Djo (Stranger Things' Joe Keery) Releases New Album Decide: Stream". Consequence. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  66. ^ Predolin, Stefano (February 28, 2024). "Djo - End of Beginning (Radio Date: 01-03-2024)". EarOne (in Italian). Retrieved March 2, 2024.