Never Gonna Give You Up was released by English singer Rick Astley in 1987. Nearly two decades later, the song became the basis of rickrolling, an online bait-and-switch prank in which a seemingly relevant link or promised piece of content unexpectedly leads to the music video. The meme spread widely during the late 2000s and became one of the internet’s most enduring practical jokes. Short excerpts remain useful because the opening production and Astley’s voice are quickly recognizable, allowing the joke to land within seconds.
About this sound
A short clip from Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up, the song behind the rickroll meme, used for bait-and-switch jokes and surprise reveals.
This short music clip captures the instantly recognizable sound associated with rickrolling: Rick Astley singing over the upbeat pop production of Never Gonna Give You Up. Even within a few seconds, the energetic rhythm and familiar vocal are enough to reveal the joke. Editors use it to interrupt an expected payoff, expose a misleading link, or turn an ordinary scene into a nostalgic internet gag. Its brief length makes the reveal immediate, giving viewers just enough time to recognize that they have been rickrolled before the clip ends.
