Rickroll sound

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About this sound

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The Rickroll sound effect is the opening of Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up, used as a bait-and-switch prank in memes and videos to surprise listeners.

The Rickroll sound is the instantly recognisable opening of Rick Astley's 1987 hit Never Gonna Give You Up, starting with its bright drum beat and upbeat synth line before Astley's smooth vocal comes in. Even a couple of seconds is enough for most listeners to know exactly what is coming, which is why it works so well as a surprise. Played out of context, it turns a serious-looking link, video or message into a joke, catching people off guard and usually making them laugh at being tricked rather than annoyed.

Never Gonna Give You Up was released by Rick Astley in 1987 and became a worldwide pop hit. Two decades later it was reborn online as the Rickroll, a bait-and-switch prank where a promising link unexpectedly led to the music video. The joke spread rapidly through forums, YouTube and social media in 2007 and 2008, turning the song into shorthand for a harmless trick. It has stayed popular because the opening is universally recognisable and the prank still catches new audiences by surprise.

Use Cases

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the Rickroll sound?

The Rickroll sound is the opening of Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up, most recognisably its drum intro and first vocal line. It is used as a short audio prank to trick listeners who expect something else.

Where did Rickrolling come from?

Rickrolling began online in the late 2000s as a bait-and-switch joke, where links promising one thing opened the music video for Never Gonna Give You Up instead. It spread through forums and video sites and became a lasting internet meme.

How do creators use the Rickroll sound in videos?

Creators place it after a misleading setup, such as a fake reveal or serious announcement, so the sudden familiar song undercuts the expectation. It works best as a short, loud surprise at the end of a clip or scene.