Never Gonna Give You Up was released by Rick Astley in 1987 and became a worldwide pop hit long before the internet turned it into a prank. In the late 2000s, users began disguising links to its music video as news stories, downloads or important announcements, a bait-and-switch that became known as Rickrolling. The joke spread through forums, social media and April Fools stunts, helped by how instantly recognisable the chorus is. It remains popular because the reveal is harmless, nostalgic and easy to understand even for people who have never seen the original video.