Description
“End of Beginning” by Djo is a nostalgic synth-pop and indie-pop song by American actor and musician Joe Keery, released under his musical project Djo. Originally included as the sixth track on his second studio album, Decide (2022), the song became a single in March 2024 after gaining major traction on TikTok. It was released through Djo Music and AWAL, written by Joe Keery and produced by Joe Keery and Adam Thein.
Musically, “End of Beginning” blends synth-pop, indie pop, and baroque rock. Its sound is driven by nostalgic synthesizers, guitar riffs, bass, programmed or live-style drums, and layered vocals. The production combines a warm, retro electronic texture with a melodic indie-rock feel, creating a reflective atmosphere that fits the song’s themes of memory, change, and identity.
The lyrics focus on the feeling of returning to a meaningful place after time away. The song is especially connected to Chicago, where Joe Keery grew up, using the city as a symbol of personal history, youth, and the version of yourself that remains tied to home. Its title, “End of Beginning,” captures the emotional tension between moving forward and looking back.
“End of Beginning” became Djo’s breakthrough global hit after TikTok users began using a lyric from the song in videos about their hometowns and personal memories. The trend helped the track enter charts around the world in early 2024. It reached the Top 10 in more than 25 countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States.
One curiosity is that the song was first premiered live in Birmingham, Alabama, on April 28, 2022, before its wider success. Another notable detail is its later resurgence in January 2026, following the finale of Stranger Things, the series in which Joe Keery plays Steve Harrington. The renewed exposure helped the song climb again internationally, including reaching No. 1 in the United Kingdom and on the Billboard Global 200.
Lyrics
Just one more tear to cry
One teardrop from my eye
You better save it for
The middle of the night
When things aren't black and white
Enter, Troubadour
Remember twenty-four?
And when I'm back in Chicago, I feel it
Another version of me, I was in it
I wave goodbye to the end of beginning
This song has started now
And you're just finding out
Now, isn't that a laugh?
A major sacrifice
But clueless at the time
Enter, Caroline
Just trust me, you'll be fine
And when I'm back in Chicago, I feel it
Another version of me, I was in it
I wave goodbye to the end of beginning
(Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye)
You take the man out of the city
Not the city out the man
You take the man out of the city
Not the city out the man
You take the man out of the city
Not the city out the man
You take the man out of the
And when I'm back in Chicago, I feel it
Another version of me, I was in it
Oh, I wave goodbye to the end of beginning
(Goodbye, goodbye)
Youtube video
Songs links
Specification
“End of Beginning” by Djo is a nostalgic synth-pop and indie-pop song by American actor and musician Joe Keery, released under his musical project Djo. Originally included as the sixth track on his second studio album, Decide (2022), the song became a single in March 2024 after gaining major traction on TikTok. It was released through Djo Music and AWAL, written by Joe Keery and produced by Joe Keery and Adam Thein.
Musically, “End of Beginning” blends synth-pop, indie pop, and baroque rock. Its sound is driven by nostalgic synthesizers, guitar riffs, bass, programmed or live-style drums, and layered vocals. The production combines a warm, retro electronic texture with a melodic indie-rock feel, creating a reflective atmosphere that fits the song’s themes of memory, change, and identity.
The lyrics focus on the feeling of returning to a meaningful place after time away. The song is especially connected to Chicago, where Joe Keery grew up, using the city as a symbol of personal history, youth, and the version of yourself that remains tied to home. Its title, “End of Beginning,” captures the emotional tension between moving forward and looking back.
“End of Beginning” became Djo’s breakthrough global hit after TikTok users began using a lyric from the song in videos about their hometowns and personal memories. The trend helped the track enter charts around the world in early 2024. It reached the Top 10 in more than 25 countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States.
One curiosity is that the song was first premiered live in Birmingham, Alabama, on April 28, 2022, before its wider success. Another notable detail is its later resurgence in January 2026, following the finale of Stranger Things, the series in which Joe Keery plays Steve Harrington. The renewed exposure helped the song climb again internationally, including reaching No. 1 in the United Kingdom and on the Billboard Global 200.
Specification
“End of Beginning” by Djo is a nostalgic synth-pop and indie-pop song by American actor and musician Joe Keery, released under his musical project Djo. Originally included as the sixth track on his second studio album, Decide (2022), the song became a single in March 2024 after gaining major traction on TikTok. It was released through Djo Music and AWAL, written by Joe Keery and produced by Joe Keery and Adam Thein.
Musically, “End of Beginning” blends synth-pop, indie pop, and baroque rock. Its sound is driven by nostalgic synthesizers, guitar riffs, bass, programmed or live-style drums, and layered vocals. The production combines a warm, retro electronic texture with a melodic indie-rock feel, creating a reflective atmosphere that fits the song’s themes of memory, change, and identity.
The lyrics focus on the feeling of returning to a meaningful place after time away. The song is especially connected to Chicago, where Joe Keery grew up, using the city as a symbol of personal history, youth, and the version of yourself that remains tied to home. Its title, “End of Beginning,” captures the emotional tension between moving forward and looking back.
“End of Beginning” became Djo’s breakthrough global hit after TikTok users began using a lyric from the song in videos about their hometowns and personal memories. The trend helped the track enter charts around the world in early 2024. It reached the Top 10 in more than 25 countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States.
One curiosity is that the song was first premiered live in Birmingham, Alabama, on April 28, 2022, before its wider success. Another notable detail is its later resurgence in January 2026, following the finale of Stranger Things, the series in which Joe Keery plays Steve Harrington. The renewed exposure helped the song climb again internationally, including reaching No. 1 in the United Kingdom and on the Billboard Global 200.
Specification
“End of Beginning” by Djo is a nostalgic synth-pop and indie-pop song by American actor and musician Joe Keery, released under his musical project Djo. Originally included as the sixth track on his second studio album, Decide (2022), the song became a single in March 2024 after gaining major traction on TikTok. It was released through Djo Music and AWAL, written by Joe Keery and produced by Joe Keery and Adam Thein.
Musically, “End of Beginning” blends synth-pop, indie pop, and baroque rock. Its sound is driven by nostalgic synthesizers, guitar riffs, bass, programmed or live-style drums, and layered vocals. The production combines a warm, retro electronic texture with a melodic indie-rock feel, creating a reflective atmosphere that fits the song’s themes of memory, change, and identity.
The lyrics focus on the feeling of returning to a meaningful place after time away. The song is especially connected to Chicago, where Joe Keery grew up, using the city as a symbol of personal history, youth, and the version of yourself that remains tied to home. Its title, “End of Beginning,” captures the emotional tension between moving forward and looking back.
“End of Beginning” became Djo’s breakthrough global hit after TikTok users began using a lyric from the song in videos about their hometowns and personal memories. The trend helped the track enter charts around the world in early 2024. It reached the Top 10 in more than 25 countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States.
One curiosity is that the song was first premiered live in Birmingham, Alabama, on April 28, 2022, before its wider success. Another notable detail is its later resurgence in January 2026, following the finale of Stranger Things, the series in which Joe Keery plays Steve Harrington. The renewed exposure helped the song climb again internationally, including reaching No. 1 in the United Kingdom and on the Billboard Global 200.
