Never Gonna Give You Up was released by English singer Rick Astley in 1987 and became a worldwide pop hit long before it became a meme. In 2007, users on 4chan began posting misleading links that promised one thing but opened the song's music video instead, creating the bait-and-switch prank known as Rickrolling. The joke spread through forums, YouTube and social media, and Astley later embraced it with surprise live performances. It endures because the setup is simple, the song is instantly recognisable, and the payoff is harmless.