Joe Keery Used His Stranger Things Money to Defy the Music Industry

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For a moment, it seemed like Steve Harrington, the popular character from Stranger Things played by Joe Keery, was going to die. After successfully using a radio tower in the alternate dimension to try and destroy the Mind Flayer (a dramatic moment in the show’s final episode), he nearly fell to his death. But Keery himself wasn’t concerned, even when reading through the script for the last episode of the hit Netflix series. He says, “I didn’t really believe anyone would die. It wasn’t like Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings, where characters are often killed off. I figured my character would survive.”

The dramatic confrontation turned out to be a distraction, with Steve’s romantic competitor, Jonathan, unexpectedly arriving to help just in time, setting up the group’s ultimate win. Everyone survived – a conclusion some critics found a bit too convenient, especially since the episode aired on New Year’s Eve. The story then jumps forward 18 months, showing the group reunited on a rooftop. Steve is the only one still living in Hawkins, where he’s become a popular baseball coach and sex education teacher, and dreams of having a large family. He seems like the kind of person who will be a permanent fixture in the town, and whose death will one day be front-page news in The Hawkins Post.

While best known for his role in Stranger Things, 33-year-old Joe Keery is currently a very popular musician under the name Djo. His 2022 song, “End of Beginning,” has become a global hit, breaking streaming records on Spotify and Billboard for the past two weeks. It’s even surpassed songs by established artists like Taylor Swift. The song saw a boost in popularity in 2025, but its success goes beyond just being a popular sound on TikTok. Keery himself is a bit doubtful of the official streaming numbers, pointing out that it’s impossible to truly measure how many times a classic song like “Back in Black” has been played. Though “End of Beginning” wasn’t featured in Stranger Things, Keery believes his role in the show’s final season definitely helped introduce his music to a wider audience and propelled the song to new heights. He feels the song has taken on a life of its own, becoming associated with endings and new beginnings – both for the year and for the show itself.

Many viewers were surprised that no main characters died in the final episode. What do you think that decision communicated? For me, the show wasn’t focused on life or death, but on the bittersweet experience of growing up and losing your innocence. That’s a surprisingly powerful and clever way to end the series. It’s sadder, in a way, because everyone experiences that feeling of saying goodbye and realizing things will never be the same. The fact that ten years have passed both for the actors and the audience makes it even more impactful – especially for those who started watching as children. It’s a really resonant moment, and I think that’s why the ending connected with so many people.

No matter how the show ends, some people are bound to disagree. I understand that! Honestly, I could see arguments for killing off any of the characters. Ultimately, the showrunners—the brothers—made the final decision, and we all support their choice. But for me personally, the ending felt like a satisfying way to conclude the series. It really worked for me.

Steve and Dustin share one of the show’s most important relationships – they even vowed to risk everything for each other. Steve considers Dustin his best friend, and it’s interesting to think about what defines their connection and how they’ve helped each other grow. Putting characters with very different personalities together can be really insightful. Especially in the early seasons, we see how different Steve and Dustin are, and when someone challenges you to become a better person, you naturally feel thankful for their influence.

After Steve rescues Derek from the Mind Flayer, the camera focuses on Steve’s face as Derek hugs him. It seemed like a deeply personal moment for your character. Can you talk about filming that scene and what you were trying to convey?

Not really, I was just doing my job and trying to look the part! But honestly, it speaks to how great it was working with the young actor who played Derek. He’s a really talented kid, and he reminded me a lot of Gaten Matarazzo. He was fourteen during filming, came from a supportive family in Chicago, and just had a natural ability. There’s something special about working with younger actors; they often feel less self-conscious than adults. I was genuinely moved by his performance, and that’s what you see in that moment.

The final scene with Robin, Nancy, and Jonathan showed that Steve was the only one who stayed in Hawkins after the time jump. What do you think this experience proved to him about what’s important and his role in the town? I believe he’s a pretty simple guy who values things like family, peace, and being surrounded by loved ones. He probably has goals, but he knows what truly matters. Personally, I wouldn’t have stayed in Hawkins.

Wow, thinking back to that final day on set… it was just incredibly emotional. Seriously, after ten years working on the show, it all hit us. I remember driving to set with Charlie and just knowing we were both about to cry! The whole day had this amazing, bittersweet energy – like we were all really saying goodbye and closing a huge chapter in our lives. It was a really special, but tough, experience.

Do you think these four characters will genuinely continue meeting in Philadelphia each month, or was their plan just a way to deal with saying goodbye? Will their connection last and become a lifelong friendship? I honestly don’t know. They mean well, but it’s impossible to say if they’ll actually follow through.

Do you have any lingering questions about Steve or any of the show’s narrative decisions?No.

You suggested using David Bowie’s “Heroes” as the closing song for Stranger Things, and the Duffer brothers agreed. What made that song feel like the perfect choice? Well, I’m a big Bowie fan, and the show actually used a Peter Gabriel cover of “Heroes” earlier on. To me, that song is a powerful anthem for anyone who feels like an outsider, which is really at the heart of what Stranger Things is about. It feels like a triumphant moment. I’m happy I suggested it, but the Duffer brothers really made it work with how they used it in the final credits – it was a perfect ending.

It’s incredible to see my song, “End of Beginning,” at number one worldwide! It really took off after the show finale, which makes sense – the song is all about a big life change and moving forward, and that felt perfect for the end of such a beloved series. But I’ve been thinking… is there more to its success right now? I’d be kidding myself if I didn’t admit Stranger Things played a huge part! It definitely did. But honestly, the song had a moment about a year and a half ago, too. It started with TikTok and the way music spreads now, especially through social media. And I think the message resonated with people. The first time it gained traction, everyone was so curious about what that feeling was like, saying it must have been wild. But this time around, it feels even bigger and more special.

I’m fascinated by the financial side of songs that become huge hits, especially since only a small number – around 238 – have reached two billion streams. I recently spoke with Curt Smith from Tears for Fears, whose song “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” is in that club. He explained they were able to renegotiate their record deal and now receive half of the Spotify royalties. As an independent artist without a label, I’m curious how your song “End of Beginning” changed things for you, both financially and creatively.

I was already fortunate because I was using money I earned from working on Stranger Things to fund my music. That allowed me to stay independent and avoid signing with a label. My costs were low – I mostly worked from home, and only spent a couple of weeks in a studio, covering travel and studio time. Now, my music is self-funded. I was able to include a children’s choir on my song “Back On You” from The Crux, something I’d always dreamed of. Having the financial freedom to pursue expensive or unusual ideas, like renting instruments I hadn’t used before, is a real luxury. You’re right to point out that independence was really important to me – I didn’t need an upfront payment. I was focused on owning the project long-term, and it’s worked out well. In fact, it was already sustainable before “End of Beginning” became popular, and that song just boosted it further.

Artists often describe unexpectedly huge hits as something that can’t be forced or predicted in the studio. It’s tempting to try and recreate that success, but for me, the real goal is to always create something new and explore different sounds. No artist wants to repeat themselves – once you’ve made a song, the fun is in moving forward. I actually experienced a similar situation with my last album, and now this song is also doing well as I start a new record. Ultimately, I focus on finding personal experiences or feelings that are strong enough to inspire a song, and then sharing that with the world.

Now that Stranger Things has finished, has the song taken on a new meaning for you? It’s a funny cycle – you can get really tired of hearing a song, but then it comes back into popularity and you get tired of it again. We were playing it a lot last year, which gave me a fresh perspective. But honestly, it’s still very tied to that period in my life, and hearing it always brings back those memories. Sometimes I even skip it, though! You go online and suddenly it’s everywhere, and you just think, ‘I can’t listen to it right now.’

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2026-01-16 16:56