Advertisement

Make a video with this sound

Put this sound on your own clip — text, speech bubbles and speed controls, all in the app.

Related keywords

✦ AI

About this sound

✦ AI

A short Rickroll clip of Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up, played as a prank when a promised link or video suddenly turns into the famous 1987 hit.

The clip opens with the instantly recognisable opening of Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up, complete with its bright eighties pop production, steady drum machine beat and Astley's warm, confident vocal promising never to give you up or let you down. Because almost everyone online knows the joke, the first few notes are enough to trigger a groan, a laugh and a sense of having been caught out. It works as a bait-and-switch: the listener expects one thing, hears something completely different, and realises within seconds that they have been Rickrolled.

Never Gonna Give You Up was released by Rick Astley in 1987 and became a worldwide pop hit before it found a second life online. In the late 2000s, misleading links promising news, trailers or exclusive content began redirecting to its music video instead, creating the Rickroll prank. The joke spread across forums, social media and video platforms because it was harmless, instantly recognisable and easy to share. It remains popular today as a light-hearted way to surprise an audience that already knows exactly what is coming.

Pro Tip for Usage

✦ AI

Drop it right after a fake reveal or a serious setup, then cut it abruptly before the chorus so the joke lands fast. Pair it with a reaction shot, but avoid playing the full song or the prank drags and loses its punch.

Use Cases

✦ AI
  • Pranking friends with a fake download link.
  • Ending a tutorial video with an unexpected twist.
  • Trolling viewers in a fake announcement post.
  • Surprising chat members during a livestream reveal.

Frequently Asked Questions

✦ AI
What is the Rickroll sound?
It is a short audio clip from Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up, usually played when someone clicks a misleading link or watches a fake reveal. The familiar opening instantly tells listeners they have been tricked, which is why it works as a quick prank sound.
Where does the Rickroll come from?
It comes from Rick Astley's 1987 hit Never Gonna Give You Up. In the late 2000s, internet users began disguising links to its music video as other content, turning the song into the Rickroll bait-and-switch prank that spread across forums and social media.
Why do creators use the Rickroll sound in videos?
Creators use it for a harmless surprise at the end of a setup, reveal or fake announcement. Because most viewers recognise the song immediately, the joke lands in seconds without needing an explanation, making it ideal for short videos and livestreams.

Upload your own sounds New

Got a funny clip? Upload your MP3 in the SoundInstants app. Once it's approved, everyone can play it.

Upload in the app
Advertisement

Related sounds

Most popular

See all
Advertisement