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Rickrolling began in the mid 2000s as a bait and switch prank built around Rick Astley's 1987 hit Never Gonna Give You Up. A link promised something else but led to the song's video instead, and the trick spread across forums, chats and early YouTube. The opening drums became shorthand for the whole joke, recognisable before Astley even sings. This shortened version reflects how the meme evolved for quick edits and soundboards, where a single recognisable hit signals the prank faster than playing the full track.
About this sound
The opening drum hit from Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up, cut to just the start for instant rickroll pranks and meme bait-and-switch edits.
This clip isolates the very first beat of the Rickroll, just the punchy opening drum hits before the melody and vocals begin. It lasts less than a second, but those electronic drums are instantly recognisable to anyone who has been tricked online. The sound creates a split second of anticipation and dread, because listeners know exactly what song is about to start. Used on its own, it works like a musical jump scare, hinting at the full prank without actually playing it, which makes the reaction funnier and the timing much sharper for short edits.
