Never Gonna Give You Up was released by Rick Astley in 1987 and became a worldwide chart hit before finding a second life online in the late 2000s, when misleading links that promised one thing and played Astley's video instead became known as Rickrolling. The joke spread across forums, social media and video platforms because the song was so earnest and familiar, and it has endured as a friendly internet prank rather than a mean-spirited one. Creators still use the chorus because almost everyone recognises it within a second.
About this sound
The catchy chorus from Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up, the song behind the classic Rickroll prank and countless nostalgic video edits.
This short clip captures the instantly recognisable chorus hook of Rick Astley's 1987 hit, with bright eighties pop production, a driving beat and Astley's warm, confident vocal delivering the line about never giving someone up. It sounds upbeat, polished and almost absurdly sincere, which is exactly why it lands so well in edits. Hearing it instantly triggers nostalgia for some listeners and a knowing smile for others, turning an ordinary video moment into a playful bait-and-switch or a cheerful throwback.
