End Of Beginning (Slowed + Reverb) - And When I'm Back In Chicago I Feel It

At its core, the song is a profound meditation on the bittersweet nature of growing up, moving on, and reconciling with the past. Written by Joe Keery (under the musical moniker Djo), the lyrics reflect his personal journey of leaving behind his life as an underground musician and college student in Chicago to pursue a massive acting career in Los Angeles, catalyzed by his breakout role in Stranger Things at the age of 24.

The phrase "end of beginning" serves as the central thematic anchor. It represents the conclusion of the introductory, formative chapter of his life—his "age of innocence" and early adulthood. The song acknowledges that while this foundational period is over, it is permanently etched into his identity. When he sings, "Another version of me, I was in it," he is expressing the universal experience of feeling temporarily transported back to a former self when visiting a place tied to deep, foundational memories.

Furthermore, the song delves into the hidden sacrifices inherently tied to monumental life changes. The speaker recognizes that leaving his old life was a "major sacrifice," even if he was "clueless at the time" about the sheer magnitude of how his life would irrevocably change. The inclusion of his sister, Caroline, highlights the absolute necessity of familial grounding when navigating sudden fame and life-altering transitions. Ultimately, the song is an act of emotional closure: waving goodbye to the past not with regret, but with a profound, melancholic gratitude.

The narrative of the song opens with a moment of quiet emotional release, as the speaker acknowledges shedding a tear for the closing of a significant life chapter. However, there is a conscious effort to reserve this deep emotional outpouring for the solitude of the "middle of the night," when the complexities of life become more apparent and things are no longer simply black and white. This imagery suggests a period of transition where the speaker is grappling with the weight of impending change and the loss of simpler times.

The speaker then shifts to a direct reflection on their past, specifically asking to remember being twenty-four years old. This is framed as the era of the "troubadour," a time of artistic exploration, youthful wandering, and naive ambition. During this period of profound uncertainty and life-altering decisions, a figure named Caroline enters the narrative. She offers a crucial, grounding voice of comfort and reassurance amidst the chaos, promising the speaker that everything will eventually work out fine and encouraging them to trust the process.

The emotional core of the song bursts forth as the speaker describes the visceral, almost supernatural experience of physically returning to the city of Chicago. Being back in that specific geographic space triggers a profound sensation of reconnecting with a past version of themselves—a version that fully inhabited that time and place. Acknowledging that this era has permanently passed, the speaker solemnly waves goodbye to the "end of beginning," marking the definitive, inescapable transition from their formative years into full adulthood and mainstream success. It is an act of closure that is both beautiful and deeply sorrowful.

In the bridge, the narrative reinforces the enduring impact of these formative experiences by repeating the well-known adage that while one can physically leave a city, the essence and influence of that city will always remain within them. The story concludes with a final, echoing farewell to that introductory phase of life, blending deep appreciation for the foundation it built with the bittersweet acceptance of moving forward into the unknown.

The song was written by Joe Keery (Djo) and co-produced with his frequent collaborator, Adam Thein. The inspiration for the track stems directly from Keery's own life experiences, specifically his departure from Chicago—where he attended DePaul University and played in the psych-rock band Post Animal—to relocate to Los Angeles following his casting in the hit series Stranger Things.

Keery debuted "End of Beginning" live during a concert in Birmingham, Alabama, on April 28, 2022. It was subsequently recorded and independently released on September 16, 2022, serving as the sixth track on his sophomore studio album, Decide. For over a year, the song remained a hidden, appreciated gem solely within his core fanbase.

However, the song's trajectory dramatically shifted in early 2024. The track experienced a massive viral explosion on TikTok, largely driven by users sharing montages of their hometowns, travels, and nostalgic memories set to the track's chorus. Recognizing the newfound demand, the song was officially pushed to radio as a single on March 1, 2024. In the midst of this viral wave, audio manipulators like the creator 3slow2 released specialized "Slowed + Reverb" edits (such as the heavily streamed February 22, 2024 release) that further popularized the song in the lo-fi and mood-based internet communities. The track then experienced a massive second wave of global popularity in late 2025 and early 2026, coinciding with the series finale of Stranger Things, propelling it to the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart and the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song employs several key symbols and metaphors to convey its deep themes of nostalgia and life transitions:

• Chicago: The city of Chicago is not merely a geographic location in the song; it is a powerful symbol of the artist's youth, innocence, and formative years. It represents a simpler time before the complexities of global fame, serving as a physical manifestation of his past self.
• The "End of Beginning": This phrase acts as a metaphor for a profound rite of passage. It symbolizes the threshold between the initial, exploratory phase of young adulthood and the definitive leap into a demanding, permanent career. Waving goodbye to it signifies making peace with the loss of that youthful anonymity.
• Caroline: Mentioning his sister Caroline symbolizes the grounding forces of family and unconditional love. Amidst the chaos of a rapidly changing life, her reassurance represents the steadying anchor that helps one navigate the terrifying leap into the unknown.
• The Middle of the Night: This setting represents a time of deep vulnerability and introspection. When "things aren't black and white," it symbolizes the complex, nuanced reality of adulthood, contrasting with the simpler, more absolute perspectives often held in youth.

The predominant emotional tone of the song is deeply melancholic, profoundly nostalgic, and bittersweet. It captures the unique, aching sensation of yearning for a time that can never be reclaimed, while simultaneously acknowledging the absolute necessity of moving forward. The combination of Keery's gentle vocal delivery and the lush, reflective synthesizers establishes an atmosphere of late-night introspection.

In the Slowed + Reverb mix, this emotional landscape is significantly magnified. The drawn-out frequencies and echoing vocals strip away the original track's upbeat pop sensibilities, leaving behind a raw, heavy atmosphere of sadness and longing. The listener is enveloped in a sonic environment that feels like actively mourning a lost era, shifting the sentiment from a fond look back to a deeply emotional, almost spiritual reflection on the impermanence of youth.

The cultural impact of "End of Beginning" has been massive and multifaceted. Though originally released in 2022, it became a cultural phenomenon in early 2024 through TikTok. The track was utilized in millions of videos, spawning viral trends where users showcased their hometowns, documented their travels, or humorously depicted subtle signs of winning the lottery. This organic virality propelled the independent track onto the global charts, earning Djo his first Billboard Hot 100 entry and reaching the Top 5 in the UK.

The song experienced an unprecedented second wave of monumental popularity in late 2025 and early 2026. Following the highly anticipated series finale of the Netflix show Stranger Things—in which Keery stars as Steve Harrington—fans organically adopted the song as the unofficial farewell anthem for the series. Despite not appearing on the show's official soundtrack, the song's themes of waving goodbye to a formative era resonated perfectly with the conclusion of the beloved decade-defining show. This fan-driven movement pushed the song to the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart in January 2026 and propelled it to number six on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing Joe Keery's status as a dual threat in both acting and music.

The song primarily utilizes an AABB and sometimes alternating rhyme scheme, employing both perfect rhymes (cry/eye, fine/time) and slant rhymes (beginning/in it) to maintain a conversational, narrative flow. This structured yet relaxed approach to the lyrical meter gives the song the intimate feeling of a personal letter being read aloud.

Rhythmically, the original track is driven by a steady, pulsing beat that mimics the relentless forward motion of time and life. However, in the Slowed + Reverb version, the rhythmic structure is profoundly impacted. The dragging tempo forces the listener to dwell on every individual beat and lyrical phrase, creating a hypnotic and somber pacing. The interplay between the slowed, deliberate vocal delivery and the drawn-out instrumental swells emphasizes the heavy emotional weight of the words, turning a wistful pop reflection into a profound, cinematic lament for the inescapable passage of time.

In its original form, "End of Beginning" is a heavily nostalgic synth-pop and baroque rock track characterized by pulsing bass lines, shimmering 80s-inspired synthesizers, and restrained guitar riffs that create a glossy, new-wave texture. Joe Keery's vocal delivery is soft, reassuring, and deeply introspective, drawing the listener into a highly personal, diary-like narrative.

The specific "Slowed + Reverb" iteration of the song—popularized by creators like 3slow2—radically alters the stylistic impact of the track. This audio manipulation technique intentionally decreases the tempo and lowers the pitch of the original recording, while simultaneously drowning the track in a heavy layer of acoustic reverberation. This technique transforms the energetic synth-pop anthem into a lethargic, dreamlike dirge. The reverb creates a sense of vast, empty space, acoustically simulating the feeling of a memory echoing through the corridors of the mind. This sonic alteration perfectly complements the song's intrinsic themes of yearning and nostalgia, making the listener feel as though they are physically immersed in the hazy, distorted memories of the artist's past.

Who is Djo and how does he relate to Stranger Things?

Djo is the musical alter-ego of Joe Keery, the American actor widely known for his fan-favorite role as Steve Harrington in the massive Netflix hit series 'Stranger Things'. Keery was a musician in the Chicago-based band Post Animal before focusing on his solo project as Djo.

What does the phrase 'End of Beginning' mean?

The phrase refers to the conclusion of the first major chapter of Joe Keery's life. It symbolizes the transition from his years as a struggling student and indie musician in Chicago to becoming a globally recognized actor in Los Angeles, bidding farewell to his era of youth and anonymity.

Who is Caroline in the song 'End of Beginning'?

Caroline is Joe Keery's real-life sister. In the song, she represents a grounding and comforting presence. Her line, 'Just trust me, you'll be fine,' highlights the importance of family support when he was facing monumental, terrifying changes early in his career.

Is 'End of Beginning' on the Stranger Things season 5 soundtrack?

No, the song is not featured on the official Stranger Things soundtrack. However, following the show's series finale in late 2025, fans organically adopted the track as an unofficial farewell anthem on social media, rocketing it to the top of the global music charts in early 2026.

Why did the 'Slowed + Reverb' version of the song become so popular?

The 'Slowed + Reverb' edit, popularized by creators like 3slow2, stretches the audio and adds heavy echoes, creating a dreamy, cinematic atmosphere. This specific sonic treatment perfectly amplifies the song's themes of nostalgia and longing, making it highly appealing for moody, aesthetic TikTok videos.