never gonna give you up

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About this sound

A short clip of Rick Astley singing “Never Gonna Give You Up” from his 1987 hit, used for rickroll pranks, bait-and-switch edits, and memes.

This clip captures the instantly recognizable title line from Rick Astley’s upbeat pop song “Never Gonna Give You Up.” Astley’s deep, clear vocal arrives over the track’s bright 1980s dance production, creating a cheerful musical reveal that many viewers immediately recognize. Because the song became inseparable from rickrolling, even this brief excerpt can turn an ordinary scene into a playful prank. Its sudden appearance signals that the audience has been fooled, while the catchy delivery keeps the joke light rather than harsh.

“Never Gonna Give You Up” was released by English singer Rick Astley in 1987 and was written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman. The song became a major international pop hit, but gained a second cultural life through rickrolling. Popularized online during the 2000s, the prank disguises a link or promised piece of content before redirecting viewers to the song’s music video. The joke remains widely understood because the opening music, Astley’s voice, and the unexpected switch are recognizable within seconds.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Never Gonna Give You Up sound?

It is a brief excerpt from Rick Astley’s 1987 pop song “Never Gonna Give You Up.” This version captures the recognizable title lyric commonly used as the reveal in rickroll pranks and meme edits.

Who sings Never Gonna Give You Up?

English singer Rick Astley performs the song. It was written and produced by the British songwriting and production trio Stock Aitken Waterman and released in 1987 as Astley’s debut single.

Why is this sound used for rickrolling?

Rickrolling tricks someone with a misleading link, setup, or promised reveal before unexpectedly playing Rick Astley’s song. The clip works because audiences quickly recognize the lyric and understand that the surprise switch is the punchline.