Never Gonna Give You Up was released by Rick Astley in 1987, and it became an internet bait-and-switch joke in the late 2000s when misleading links promised one thing and delivered the song instead. The prank spread through forums, video sites and social media, becoming one of the most recognisable memes online. Extended versions appeared as creators wanted a version that lasted beyond a quick gag, making it useful for longer videos, streams and live reactions where the joke needs time to build.