The 7 Deepest Secrets Hidden In Joe Keery's "End Of Beginning" Lyrics That Made It A Viral Smash

The viral phenomenon of "End of Beginning" by Djo, the musical moniker of actor Joe Keery, has taken the world by storm in early 2024, nearly two years after its initial release. This melancholic, synth-pop anthem is more than just a catchy tune; it's a poignant, introspective look at young adulthood, dramatic personal change, and the bittersweet pang of nostalgia for a life left behind. Its unexpected resurgence on TikTok has propelled it to global chart-topping status, proving that Keery's songwriting depth resonates universally with listeners grappling with self-discovery and the passage of time.

Released originally on Djo’s 2022 album, Decide, the track’s delayed success is a testament to its timeless themes. As of today, December 15, 2025, the song remains a fixture in the cultural zeitgeist, thanks to a specific, emotionally charged lyrical snippet. We dive into the full lyrics to uncover the seven deepest secrets and key entities that define the song's profound impact.

Djo: The Man Behind the Music—A Quick Biography

Before achieving global fame as Steve Harrington in the Netflix sensation Stranger Things, Joseph David Keery was deeply immersed in the Chicago music scene. His dual career as a critically acclaimed actor and a serious musician under the pseudonym Djo provides the crucial context for the raw honesty found in "End of Beginning."

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• Full Name: Joseph David Keery
• Stage Name (Music): Djo
• Born: April 24, 1992 (Newburyport, Massachusetts)
• Early Music Career: Guitarist and drummer for the Chicago-based psychedelic rock band Post Animal (2014–2019).
• Solo Debut: Released his debut solo EP, Twenty Twenty, in 2019.
• Breakthrough Album: Decide (2022), which features the track "End of Beginning."
• Acting Role: Best known for playing Steve Harrington in the Duffer Brothers’ series Stranger Things (2016–present).
• Musical Style: Primarily synth-pop and psychedelic rock, often characterized by lo-fi textures and vintage synth sounds.

The Viral Core: Analyzing the "End of Beginning" Lyrics

The song’s structure and lyrical content are a masterclass in evocative storytelling, using specific geographical and emotional entities to paint a picture of transition. The core theme revolves around the idea of saying "goodbye to the end of beginning"—a powerful paradox that signifies moving past the initial, formative phase of young adulthood and accepting a new, more mature reality.

1. The Bittersweet Nostalgia of "Chicago"

The most famous and viral line of the song anchors its entire emotional landscape: "And when I'm back in Chicago, I feel it." Chicago is not just a city; it represents a specific, formative period in Joe Keery's life—the time before the massive, life-altering success of Stranger Things. He moved to Chicago for school and his early music career with Post Animal. The city is a tangible entity of his past self, a younger, less famous version of Joe Keery. The "feeling" he references is the immediate rush of nostalgia and the ghostly presence of the person he used to be, which he only encounters when he returns to that specific place.

2. The "Major Sacrifice" and the Crossroads of Fame

The lyrics hint at the difficult choice and immense change that came with his acting success. Keery sings about a "major sacrifice, but clueless at the time." This refers to the necessary shift away from his life in Chicago and his band, Post Animal, to fully embrace the demands of a global acting career. The sacrifice wasn't a loss of something bad, but a loss of a comfortable, familiar beginning—a life he had to leave behind to step into a new, unknown one. The "clueless" aspect highlights the suddenness and overwhelming nature of the transition into Hollywood fame.

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3. Waving Goodbye to the Younger Self

The title phrase, "waving goodbye to the end of beginning," is the central poetic device. It is an acknowledgment that the initial chapter—the experimentation, the innocence, the "beginning"—is definitively over. He is not saying goodbye to the beginning itself, but to the *end* of it, suggesting he is now fully in the next phase. This concept of self-discovery and growth resonates deeply with the young adult audience on TikTok who are facing similar life transitions, such as moving for college, starting a career, or leaving their hometown.

Deeper Entities: Unpacking the Verses

Beyond the chorus, the verses are rich with specific entities that add layers to the song's meaning, moving it beyond general nostalgia to a deeply personal narrative.

4. The Mystery of "Caroline"

One of the most intriguing entities in the song is the line: "Enter, Caroline." The identity of Caroline is never explicitly revealed, but in the context of the song, she represents a person—likely a former partner or close friend—who was a significant part of his Chicago life. Her entry into the narrative serves as a mental timestamp, a reminder of the specific relationships and emotional entanglements that define that lost era. She is a symbol of the past, making the farewell feel more personal and complete.

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5. The "Tear to Cry" and Emotional Reservation

The opening lines set a tone of reserved melancholy: "Just one more tear to cry, one teardrop from my eye. You better save it for the middle of the night." This suggests a form of emotional discipline. The speaker is holding back his grief or sadness, rationing his tears for a private moment. This entity of emotional reservation speaks to the struggle of appearing composed while dealing with massive internal change, a feeling many young people can relate to as they navigate new, demanding environments.

6. The "Black and White" Transition

The lyric continues, "When things aren't black and white, and they are only dark." This phrase uses the entities of "black and white" to represent simplicity, certainty, and easy answers—the clarity often afforded to a younger perspective. The transition to "only dark" symbolizes the complexity, confusion, and emotional ambiguity of adult life. The world is no longer simple; it's a more nuanced and challenging space, which is why the nostalgia for the clearer "beginning" is so strong.

7. The Validation of the "New Beginning"

The song’s success itself acts as the ultimate validation of the "new beginning." Joe Keery has expressed that the viral hit is "validating" because it shows people are connecting with his music, not just his acting persona. The song is about his life *before* the fame, and its independent success proves that his identity as Djo, the musician, is valid and resonant. The journey from a hidden album track to a global Official Singles Chart success story is the real-world manifestation of the song’s theme: moving beyond the past's shadow and starting a new, successful chapter.

In conclusion, "End of Beginning" is a sophisticated piece of synth-pop artistry that expertly blends personal autobiography with universal themes of growth, change, and the power of place. Its deep dive into the Chicago years, the emotional major sacrifice, and the poetic farewell to the end of beginning are what cemented its status as a defining viral hit of the decade. It’s a powerful reminder that even global stars like Joe Keery, or Djo, are still navigating the complex, bittersweet journey of self-discovery.