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Rickrolling began in 2007 as an online bait-and-switch prank, when a disguised link that promised one thing instead opened Rick Astley's 1987 hit Never Gonna Give You Up. The joke spread from forums to YouTube, social media and live events, helped by the song's upbeat chorus and Astley's earnest performance, which made the reveal feel harmless and funny rather than hostile. Variations like this one keep the format fresh by adding a spoken denial first, so even viewers who know the original prank can still be caught out.
About this sound
A short Rick Astley clip that promises no rickroll before dropping into Never Gonna Give You Up, used as a playful bait-and-switch prank in videos and memes.
This eight-second clip sets up a joke before it lands, opening with a spoken promise that no rickroll is coming and then cutting straight into the familiar opening of Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up. The sudden switch from a casual, reassuring voice to the bright pop beat and instantly recognisable chorus is what makes it work, because listeners relax for a split second before realising they have been caught out. It feels cheeky rather than mean, turning a classic internet prank into a quick punchline that works best when the audience thinks they are safe from it.
