Rickrolled!

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About this sound

The classic Rickroll clip from Rick Astley's 1987 hit Never Gonna Give You Up, used online for bait-and-switch jokes and surprise meme reveals.

This sound is the familiar Rickroll moment from Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up, usually recognized within a second by its bright 80s synths and smooth pop vocal. Even in a short clip, it instantly signals that someone has been baited, tricked or playfully trolled. The effect is less about shock and more about the joke landing the moment viewers realize what they are hearing. That instant recognition makes it perfect for meme edits, fake links, sudden cutaways and comedic reveal posts.

Rickrolling is an internet bait-and-switch meme built around Rick Astley’s 1987 song Never Gonna Give You Up. The prank became widely known in the mid-2000s when disguised links would unexpectedly open the music video instead of the promised content. It spread across forums, social platforms and video sites because the song is instantly recognizable and harmlessly cheesy. The meme still works because audiences know the setup, so the humor comes from the reveal and the shared recognition.

Use Cases

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rickroll sound from?

It comes from Never Gonna Give You Up, the 1987 pop song by Rick Astley. Online, people usually use a short recognizable section of the track to deliver the classic Rickroll bait-and-switch joke.

Why is this sound called a Rickroll?

A Rickroll is an internet prank where someone expects one thing but gets Rick Astley’s song instead. The name combines Rick, from Rick Astley, with the idea of being rolled or tricked by the reveal.

How do creators usually use the Rickroll clip?

Creators place it after a misleading setup, fake link joke or dramatic build, then cut to the recognizable music for the punchline. It works best when the audience realizes the trick immediately and shares the joke.