The Legendary Song That Became the Rick Roll

The Legendary Song That Became the Rick Roll | The Story Of

Рет қаралды 3,289,182

Күн бұрын

Nearly everyone has been RickRoll’d. But few know the real story of the artist behind the 1987 hit “Never Gonna Give You Up” nor do they know about the mysterious origins of the viral RickRoll video meme that exploded in the mid-2000s. VICE meets Rick Astley and the creators of the song to learn about Rick’s meteoric rise to fame, sudden retirement, and surprising comeback. We also meet the creator of the popular RickRoll meme that cemented this persistent hit for generations to come.
00:00 Intro
01:11 You have been "Rickrolled"
08:00 No one believed it would be a hit
13:13 The burnout
19:00 The song that stands the test of time
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#rickastley #thestoryof

Пікірлер: 7 000

@VICE Жыл бұрын

WATCH NEXT: The Story of 'Unwritten' By Natasha Bedingfield - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/j7CKiLCJmra-Z4k.html

@hayyantoranjzar894 Жыл бұрын

ok.

@Extaxae Жыл бұрын

It’s safe, it’s not rickroll

@stefanegger Жыл бұрын

I thought at least to get rickrolled here, that was really lame @VICE but nice video anyway..

@user-bu1wt1zp7t Жыл бұрын

thats rick roll

@TheNerd Жыл бұрын

I'm dissapointed. It's not a Rick roll

@chosuke02 Жыл бұрын

The fact that the whole meme actually gave Rick the career he always wanted when he was young is the most wholesome thing ever

@CastanedaKicking Жыл бұрын

some people really do deserve the world

@DannyCosmos Жыл бұрын

did he make new music after? and is succesfull now?

@mkw7147 Жыл бұрын

@@DannyCosmos just watch the video?

@AzoSBear Жыл бұрын

@@DannyCosmos together forever?

@taractaylor Жыл бұрын

This story is awesome!

@BubblegumCrash332 Жыл бұрын

Smartest music star ever. He went to the top realized he had enough money to never worked while also realized fame is unhealthy and he walked away. What a genuinely nice person

@SecretSauceyjuice Жыл бұрын

And then came back on his own terms and just keeps it low key. I, for one, am super happy for him. I'm glad he didn't end up as another miserable and drained puppet of the industry.

@AshyGr33n Жыл бұрын

He's got the good ending of the choose-your-adventure where Elvis got the bad one.

@unlearnbusiness Жыл бұрын

His management team also seems to have done a good job in acclimatizing him beforehand. They took a whole year of letting him just spend time within the industry before putting him on the spotlight, which might have helped him get accustomed to the kind of things that go on in the music industry before he became famous. But he's certainly a genuinely down-to-earth nice guy.

@ninjacumin8243 Жыл бұрын

@@AshyGr33n Did Elvis really die in the toilet? 😄

@SiPakRubah Жыл бұрын

@@ninjacumin8243 Sadly yes, because of too much pressure from his fans who forced him to sing, even get threats for even try to stopping actually

@szendrich Жыл бұрын

He chose his authentic self over fake fame and fortune, and the universe gave him back all he desired and all he deserved. I like Rick Astley even more knowing this than when I was a big fan of his back in the 80s and 90s. He was part of my youth and his voice and his songs were household names. Love them still.

@EnergeticSpark63 5 ай бұрын

hello

@asperneto 4 ай бұрын

Same 👍

@marycostello5403 4 ай бұрын

Part of mine too love him so much!

@naomijones3731 4 ай бұрын

Definitely part of mine. Best era ever!

@EnergeticSpark63 4 ай бұрын

@@naomijones3731 hey

@marksearcy6738 5 ай бұрын

The fact that I am 63 years old and remember when this song hit the radio and dance clubs and I just got rick rolled by my 15 year old son . . . . .tells me that this song has a special place in the fabric of music.

@djensen470 4 ай бұрын

I'm 67 years old, and my son Rick rolled me. 😂

@roddiesimmons8773 Ай бұрын

@@djensen470 I'm 63 years old, no son...but I swear my dog...

@notapplicable9970 12 күн бұрын

😂@@roddiesimmons8773

@notapplicable9970 12 күн бұрын

I'm 68, and ALL THREE of my kids Rick rolled me at one point or another. And I admit I loved it! I remember when I first heard the song on the radio, I cranked up the volume and bobbed to the beat. Funny thing is, all these years later, I still crank up the volume every time I hear it. 😊

@timg2727 Жыл бұрын

Rick Astley is a masterclass in the correct way to respond to meme fame. Just fully lean into it and embrace the joke.

@Here0s0Johnny Жыл бұрын

It must be easier if you're a proper adult and aren't immediately recognizable anymore...

@yateswebb Жыл бұрын

Also easier when you’ve already been a top charting artist and not just the butt of a joke

@_A_G_1 Жыл бұрын

When did the 1st rick roll happen idk why but i thought it happened like super early 2000s like 2002 or some

@timg2727 Жыл бұрын

@@yateswebb fair point

@Palestineexists Жыл бұрын

Rickrolling in royalties 💰

@inside1283 Жыл бұрын

Imagine being the guy who rick’rolled Rick Astley. Legend status

@PrettyTigerlilly Жыл бұрын

I was on Reddit that day, it was honestly amazing.

@inside1283 Жыл бұрын

@@PrettyTigerlilly I don’t use Reddit so forgive me if my terminology’s wrong. But if you could somehow find that thread and send us the link, you would also achieve legend status👏

@gweganderson Жыл бұрын

@@PrettyTigerlilly There's video of that AMA? I remember being there too and it was glorious. Ricks response was great. If there's a video of it I'd love to see it.

@seanwashere Жыл бұрын

I'm searching for that reddit post but I keep getting rick roll'd lol

@monicad351 Жыл бұрын

Loved Rick then and I love him now! 80s yes!

@roberthayden1527 11 ай бұрын

Rick is quite typical of his generation. His humble upbringing alongside his dream of playing music in a band. He knew he got a stroke of luck and was happy to ride the wave until it became too much. Rick was smart enough to realize what is important and when enough is enough. Well done Rick! You deserve a happy life and may you continue to entertain us.

@mgparis Жыл бұрын

This is genuinely so touching. Rick is a class act in every possible way. I can't even describe how grateful I feel to have been a teenager in the 80s.

@nicolamills8003 6 ай бұрын

Me too, was awesome ay

@richarddevoe9990 6 ай бұрын

Me too 😊

@bluewaters3100 6 ай бұрын

I was in my 30's in the 80's and loved this song and many others. I feel fortunate to have been a teen when the Beatles ,Rolling Stones, Moody Blues, and Elvis were in their prime. It was a music revolution that brought music to this song and many other rock & roll songs.

@julz7753 19 күн бұрын

i was in my 20s so it was the whole club thing

@Spo8 Жыл бұрын

The fact that Rick's introduction to the meme was getting back to back rickrolled by his friend is incredible.

@MrJ0mmy Жыл бұрын

i remember i was there the day rickroll started on 4chan and years latter its still not dead

@er2206 Жыл бұрын

I had no idea

@joshuaoha Жыл бұрын

Rick seems like a really self aware, intelligent, and awesome dude

@vanman757 Жыл бұрын

Isn't he just ?.. Great guy...

@SamirYadav12357 Жыл бұрын

Absolutely

@andrewferguson8032 Жыл бұрын

What a class act! I can’t believe how well he’s handled it

@SecretSauceyjuice Жыл бұрын

If you wanna hear more of Rick in a conversational format, he was on Chris Hardwick's podcast a few years ago. Really cool bit.

@Spicymeatbawls Жыл бұрын

Definitely the type of dude you wouldn’t wanna give up

@barbrakatz Жыл бұрын

We loved this song when it first came out because of his look, his voice and that he sang the words every girl wanted to hear. Even his attempt at dancing was adorable! I can’t believe how casually it all came together. It looked like every element had been choreographed within an inch of its life for a hit music video. And they originally shelved the song?? Wow!

@michaelbiehl7516 9 ай бұрын

Well said!

@aybanpali 6 ай бұрын

“How did the dance come about?” “Fear.” Rick is literally the funniest guy in the world who doesn’t know it. A national treasure.

@Drfresh1402 5 ай бұрын

Yes!!!

@dggalindez102661 3 ай бұрын

He was so real for this

@Mangosteencountry Жыл бұрын

This documentary just reinforced the fact that Rick is a nice, honest, very grounded person. What a gem! and that voice and song doesn't ever get old.

@shethingsd Жыл бұрын

Absolutely

@jonathanwashington9199 Жыл бұрын

I Wonder If Rick Astley Knew Just How Famous The Meme Would Become

@tomasinacovell4293 Жыл бұрын

His voice was a bit like an adolescent imitating Tom Jones, but in the music video his shoes aren't clean and shiny enough, lacks professionalism, although his being a ginger sort of saved it at the same time. Reminded me of the Miami Vice theme more than anything else?

@candimero1151 Жыл бұрын

You’re right and it made me smile

@Lylo-mj8ek Жыл бұрын

AMEN! Still rocks the house to this day! Even my grandchildren love it and dance their little hearts out with Rick! May God bless him! Peace.

@crystalsolis Жыл бұрын

Rick never gave us up. He never let us down. He never ran around and deserted us. He never made us cry. He never said goodbye. He never told a lie and hurt us. ❤️

@scarredfanumberone Жыл бұрын

and so do I

@THEMIMICRYM Жыл бұрын

Best comment I’ve read recently. Thank you 🙏

@jorgesoler7753 Жыл бұрын

you seem to know him well. it's like you've known each other for so long

@Bangbangbigelow Жыл бұрын

@@jorgesoler7753 No it’s not that it’s that his heart was aching and he was too shy to say

@MsDudette21 Жыл бұрын

lol im done with all of you

@rosaspohr 8 ай бұрын

I mean, I remember talking to my grandma, we were sharing music, having a chat, I was telling her I loved this new singer and she telling me she liked the redheaded guy, just to find out we were talking about the same person, I was a teenager, she was 70, it was a moment, I cherish that memory

@xpusostomos 2 ай бұрын

ha, cute

@sandrahedlund4214 9 ай бұрын

His daughter told him when he first found out about Rickrolling that it wasn't about him and how it started. At that time it was true. How gracious and accepting Rick has been has made it a love song from him to all his fans and from them to him.

@rishirajupadhyay1704 Жыл бұрын

This couldn't have happened to a better guy. He is humble and nice. I actually like the person and hope more music artists strive to be like this guy as he is as a person.

@StefanMedici Жыл бұрын

He's the guy you'd actually want to have a beer with at the local pub.

@bugattiwu Жыл бұрын

You wouldn't get this from any other guy

@jeffersonott4357 Жыл бұрын

I had the same reaction watching that video. Also, a good thing about having a baby face when you are 20, is, he’s killing it in his 50s. Good for him.

@GangstaCreeper Жыл бұрын

Then you get Kanye west lol 😆

@juliessister5562 Жыл бұрын

💯💯💯💯

@threengcircus Жыл бұрын

I love how he never took himself too seriously; not in his abilities, success, even resurgence in a joke. He embraces it and 'rolls' with it. Great admiration and respect for him!

@Tony_Baloney_69420 Жыл бұрын

Agreed

@mikerosoft1009 Жыл бұрын

Well there was that one time when Rick lost it on a reporter. The reporter asked him how he felt about Rick rolling and Rick grabbed them by the collar and yelled in there face. There's footage of it as well. m.kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pp2Ji7uays3MpKM.html

@jaffrry5120 Жыл бұрын

@@mikerosoft1009 a youtube link on a rick roll video? I wonder what it could be?

@jaffrry5120 Жыл бұрын

The thing I liked about him is that he didn't capitalize rickrolling for extra clout which probably most people would have done when given an opportunity for a resurgence. He embraced it but didn't go overboard.

@omko73 Жыл бұрын

By the way he was quite popular back in the 80s

@HeyItsAJOmega Жыл бұрын

How the hell can you not love Rick? What a charming & humble guy, & I love the appreciation he has for how much this song ended up doing for him, both originally in 1987 and even now. Some folks end up hating or resenting the song that made them famous, their one hit or whatever, but Rick just seems so bloody chuffed that its still going now. And that chat about his burnout and quitting the business was so frank & honest - I can't imagine how awful it had to feel, to have to walk away from his career & his dreams, because it was basically killing him. & especially as I'm sure MH topics like burnout weren't as readily discussed back then, & I'm sure he felt - or was made to feel - so selfish & ungrateful or even weak that he couldn't stomach it anymore. Its probably worked out great that this song blew up again twenty years after it first came out, when Rick's in a more mature & comfortable place in his life to be able to embrace the fame and popularity of the song like he struggled to the first time around. And I love how humble & down to earth he is - my favourite moment from his performances with the Foo Fighters was the second time they did it, at an FF show in London, and Rick and Dave Grohl are chatting onstage and Dave goes 'why are you yelling man?' and Rick replies 'BECAUSE I'M REALLY FOOKIN' NERVOUS, DAVE' 🤣 Rick's the best. And big ups to Pete Waterman as well, both as a music and train nerd - I'd be fascinated to know how many old steam locomotives and model trains this song paid for 🤣

@alexperaza9475 11 ай бұрын

I think part of the magic is that it's so damn wholesome. The video, the lyrics, his performance... There's an innocence and earnestness to it that makes it stick in your mind, whether it's ironically or unironically, the song just stays with you.

@AshyGr33n Жыл бұрын

"How did the dance come about?" "Fear!" Haven't had a hearty laugh for a while. Rick is a treasure. Also shout out to the guy who made the meme, he's just as self-aware and wholesome.

@pangster99 Жыл бұрын

I had a good laugh on that response also. 😂

@Axqu7227 Жыл бұрын

I love that the guy who made the meme is an Air Force 4chan goblin.

@nurlindafsihotang49 4 ай бұрын

Ey, all the trolls army need a meme master sargeant during battle

@Honor.DreamsCODM Жыл бұрын

He lived long enough to see himself become a legend. That is a blessing.

@dm19609721 11 ай бұрын

but for decades he hated singing the song that defined him

@lubmir2k 11 ай бұрын

I do not appreciate his music, but the man himself is obviously talented and very agreeable. Big respect.

@Kokoro66 11 ай бұрын

He was a legend as a singer!😂A good looking young guy had that special voice…he was really beautiful😢

@eveabr 11 ай бұрын

I'm sorry, but he was always a legend, man

@guilhermian 7 ай бұрын

He lived long enough to get Rick Rolled 😃

@harolddewaal4268 11 ай бұрын

I admire his honesty and the fact that he never forgot what music means to him. That allowed him to stay true as a human being. And what a wonderful voice the man has.

@kristenblount8422 11 ай бұрын

Oh my God. This man is a treasure. I came here after watching his Glastonbury performances. Amazing. I really hope he keeps it up. New music, old music, covers... I really don't care. I just hope he gets to do whatever makes him happy, this time around. Go Rick! 😊❤

@Warlord_Megatron 7 ай бұрын

Same lmao. This video popped up in my feed after the Glastonbury performance

@rg975 Жыл бұрын

Rick is such a humble person, most people would let all that instant fame go to their head. He was very wise taking a break to focus on his family.

@nightday2030 Жыл бұрын

The part about him just wanted to go home, to his family to where he belongs, that one hit the place.

@fmar.8311 Жыл бұрын

give me a break snowflake

@TheAdventurerAndDiscoverer Жыл бұрын

We’re no strangers to love

@s2Capacidade2s Жыл бұрын

Hope his kids hear this and are super proud of how amazing of a dad he is.

@Cangaca777 Жыл бұрын

Now his looks actually match his voice! xD He really seems like a genuine and humble dude! : )

@AverytheCubanAmerican Жыл бұрын

Dude made a song, was literally perfect with it, got his dream career, went "Yeah this is pretty cool, that's enough now" and stopped and just does what he wants now, he's won. It's nice that this song is so timeless, so enduring that even decades later most people still know the words even if they were not even born when it came out. And this video tells the story so well Quite crazy to think if that song didn't come out in 1987, Shawn wouldn't have started the Rick roll, and what is now a trolling masterpiece wouldn't exist besides being just another popular 80s song

@rieldebonk1044 Жыл бұрын

Hello, long time no see, you got mad at THAT joke! the communist one! (No beef anymore i just find this funny)

@AC-mp7cx Жыл бұрын

idk about legend. Hes famous for a meme. Thats very cool and all, but he's not that famous nor a legend, especially for an 80s star, but has a very funny popular edgy meme

@Bettinasisrg Жыл бұрын

Yes he quit right when his next choice to go on would've meant the "drugs" in sex, drugs and rock and roll!

@markcarty2662 Жыл бұрын

@@AC-mp7cx his legend is. Your inability to recognize is irrelevant.

@nurlindafsihotang49 Жыл бұрын

Imagined the pressure, enduring many burn bridges and dissampointment from fans friends mentors and family, for Mr Astley. But he did what he must.

@peteryeung111 4 ай бұрын

Actually, Mr. Rick Astley aged very well. This was one of my favourite song as a teenager 😂

@misslizmoon Жыл бұрын

I got Rick Rolled by one of my professors along with my entire class just before spring break, and the fact that I could come back with the Foo Fighters together with Rick Astley in my return email was hands-down one of the best things that ever put a smile on my face throughout my time as a grad student... and now, my kid, who is eleven LOVES that song to pieces, just as much as I did when I was his age in the eighties. Its wild.

@RedSpartan32 Жыл бұрын

The Rick Roll wouldn’t work if the song didn’t INSTANTLY put a smile on everyone’s face. A great, fun, timeless pop song by a grounded and humble guy. He deserves all of his success and I wish him nothing but more of it!

@rothed16 9 ай бұрын

He honestly seems like a good humble dude. Loved this video about it

@Dzokhar 7 ай бұрын

Why doesn't it ever get old? We should all hate this song and yet, I smile every time.

@Kam_926 6 ай бұрын

I've loved Rick Ashley's music from day one! I'm happy for him to be doing what makes him happy. I'll always play his music! ❤

@Dzokhar 5 ай бұрын

The number of times we've heard it, we should all hate this song but we don't.

@PhDrSeuss 4 ай бұрын

I'm guilty ......yes, this song always/still puts a smile on my face 😊 ever since I first heard it.

@MissCaraMint Жыл бұрын

Honestly the rickroll wouldn’t have stuck around for so long of people didn’t legit love the song and video. It’s all just so charming you can’t help but smile when it comes on.

@dsxa918 Жыл бұрын

It's a good song that carries all te qualities of a jingle you might want to dismiss, while articulating a message that you want to believe in and that may in fact speak to, and reinforce your best of intentions. Your deepest desires. "Never going to give you up"

@hollywhatley5510 Жыл бұрын

I was 8 when the song came out and 28 when I first got rickrolled... and I have lived the song my entire life. Easy to sing. Easy to embrace. Easy to have so much fun with. I'm so happy with this! THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES RICK!

@dondamon443 9 ай бұрын

I was in the Air Force in the UK from 1986-1989. I was just starting my CD collection. Rick Astley was one of the CDs that I found. I had heard him on the local radio stations. Nice catchy tune, I liked it. Rick's voice was very powerful sounding and the melody to the song was catchy as well. I still have that CD today. Still play it. I think it will be a "forever" classic.

@thespeedyyoshi Жыл бұрын

Whoever edited this video is a genius. It’s incredible how well you can tell a story from start to end in such a captivating way with 3-6 interviews. They even almost have dialogue at points!!

@omko73 Жыл бұрын

Smart comment

@TXTrojan Жыл бұрын

absolutely agree. This was put together really well.

@matthew-h Жыл бұрын

My first liked video of 2022. I guess you can say that I don't give them out willy-nilly.

@psychvision101 Жыл бұрын

are you the editor

@JHarris Жыл бұрын

And even Rick rolled us throughout the video!

@MrMrphilratcliffe Жыл бұрын

What a lovely bloke. Fame hasn't touched him at all. Feet firmly on the ground and putting his mental health and family first. Fair play to him

@TurboWorld Жыл бұрын

rock on Rick! Rock on!

@tofu1313 Жыл бұрын

@@TurboWorld roll on Rick!

@TurboWorld Жыл бұрын

@@tofu1313 makes me happy! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/h66Rpph_l5iodps.html

@Bgoods Жыл бұрын

yeah he has the perfect attitude about it all

@agentspencer7739 Жыл бұрын

Well said.

@deanrobertoleson4669 11 ай бұрын

Rick seems like a level-headed good guy. Wish him the best for all future endeavors.

@Tonia682 3 ай бұрын

I was in college when this song came out…great times! His style in the video is timeless… I think that part lends to its longevity all these years later

@Sandsd72 4 ай бұрын

I met the love of my life at a party when i was 16 and this was the first song we danced to, we whent on to have 5 children , when the rick roll took off my kids would constantly send me the the links😂 im in my 50s now and when i hear this song it makes me stop just for a min ❤

@hanslidlwagen4115 Жыл бұрын

Rickroll is not just a regular meme. It's the greatest meme of all time that will never ever be forgotten.

@RNCHFND Жыл бұрын

I just hope they gave some good cash to the guy that created the meme, he deserves it

@ITSONLYMEWATCHING Жыл бұрын

It's nemero uno.

@Ervixius_ Жыл бұрын

Yeah, it actually won’t die, there would be like only 3 rickrolls a week, but it will never die

@Quiter19 Жыл бұрын

I will never Dessert You

@damienc6691 Жыл бұрын

It never be given up

@RoseEyed Жыл бұрын

The way he flipped from almost breaking down as he talked about touring in his mid-to-early-twenties to the subtle smile as he talked about getting off the plane to go home speaks volumes. He's proud of that decision and I'm happy he is. He knew himself enough at that young age to get off the ride before it got dangerous. And now that he's older he has the chance to do music again on his terms. A good reminder there's life after your youth and you don't have to do everything at once. Some times you can get your cake and eat it too, just not at the same time.

@Mainyehc Жыл бұрын

Beautifully put.

@ararazul9638 Жыл бұрын

I remember a Kurt Cobain interview where he fantasizes about leaving the spotlight, growing old and being able to have a comeback, this time playing on his own terms. I kept thinking about that during the video, because that's exactly what Rick succeeded in doing.

@edp3202 Жыл бұрын

and the fame and adulation remained without him being on the road.

@shelleynobleart Жыл бұрын

Very well put.

@sunnyquinn3888 Жыл бұрын

That reminds me of the song "Right where I need to be" by Gary Allen.

@markbishop5520 4 ай бұрын

My brother and I won a trip to Turks and Caicos right when this song came out. I drove him crazy playing it over and over on my Walk man. And I still love it❤

@dj-kq4fz Жыл бұрын

From hitmaker to meme to (perhaps) ironically appreciated, to legitimately appreciated by most everyone (especially modern bands), is a career beyond anyone's imagination (IMHO). His amiability, humility, and enduring charm is a testament to his great character. Great guy, amazing talented person.

@MrBazukaz Жыл бұрын

When he said "People appreciate a decade when they get far enough away from it" I felt that and it's sooo true, nostalgia hits hard

@TheAdventurerAndDiscoverer Жыл бұрын

So among us is still dead and not going to be appreciated until a decade comes?

@jamirimaj6880 Жыл бұрын

another form of "you don't know what you have until it's gone"

@eliza6971 Жыл бұрын

I feel that, I hated the vibe of the 00's when I was in them, but now it seems kinda cute and funny

@M________________________ Жыл бұрын

This is so weird, this video is 22:43 long but exactly at the moment i read this he said it at 20:15.

@user-ip7ed3te2o Жыл бұрын

*citypop has entered the chat*

@FilosophicalPharmer Жыл бұрын

Broke my heart seeing how his quick launch into stardom still affects him today. Thankful he stood up and told those around him he couldn’t do it any longer. Being true to ourselves is much more important than meeting the expectations of those around us.

@unpopuIaropinion Жыл бұрын

yes yes and later he keeps on doing it when he needs the money

@SamuelNewham Жыл бұрын

@@unpopuIaropinion Come on man. I'm a huge cynic at the best of times but can totally understand why Rick needed space from the industry but also felt the desire to return. The guy just wanted to play shows and now he's got that wish

@handlemonium Жыл бұрын

One hit wonders........sometimes it grows on you, sometimes it grows on the rest of us.

@ShainAndrews Жыл бұрын

@@handlemonium You too... he is not a one hit wonder. Just because you don't know of his other work does not mean it does not exist. It means you have incredibly limited exposure.

@ShainAndrews Жыл бұрын

@@unpopuIaropinion Hey wanker. He has a very successful career. Well beyond this song.

@kennethandrysiak4130 Жыл бұрын

Fascinating back story. Beyond whatever ‘uniqueness’ the song and the time in music history when it was released holds… is Rick expressing his vulnerability as a human being… divorce in his family… seeking identity in his preteen and teen years… wondering about life and his part… suddenly being thrust into fame and fortune… and having to step back, get perspective, and change direction before being crushed by it… he is laying it all out… real as real gets. This is what I feel is so powerful about this video.

@ElLuis1122 Жыл бұрын

His sadness and his frustration at 14:20 was so real, it made me tear up a little bit.

@captain_commenter8796 Жыл бұрын

Rick Astley seems like such a chill and friendly guy. No wonder he never gives us up.

@bbmmr8 Жыл бұрын

I agree, he never lets us down

@MagnificentCreature Жыл бұрын

He won’t run around either

@jak.cr1ym Жыл бұрын

Not to mention the fact that he doesn’t desert you either.

@CakeInMyPockets5 Жыл бұрын

He also seems like the guy to never make you cry

@TheSongwritingCat Жыл бұрын

He still exudes a "nice young man" energy

@mehal1257 Жыл бұрын

Wow, he's a seriously good dude. No ego, no BS, just grateful for what he did. I was a child of the 80s and remember this song/video well. I thought it was too "pop" back then, but looking back it's a good representation of the decade. All the best Rick Astley!!!

@GregJoshuaW Жыл бұрын

I felt the same about the song back then. We didn't have MTV or anything so I had no idea what he looked like. I actually thought he was black TBH. When I saw who Rick was I was LOL shocked at how wrong I imagined him. Haha!!!

@bamachine Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I was a teen in the 80's. I was into hard rock and metal, so of course I made fun of the song/video back then but kudos to Rick, would have a beer with him any day.

@abikeanditsboy3449 Жыл бұрын

I wondered what became of him and this video was the perfect answer.

@ChillGuy_0777 Жыл бұрын

@GregJoshuaW My mom literally said the same thing to me. She had only heard the song in the 80's and thought he was black. You don't really expect him to have a singing voice like that.

@dreamcreationmedia4000 7 ай бұрын

I was a music director in Denver and put this song on our playlist. It did very well. Our station played R&B.

@elainewest7230 10 ай бұрын

I bought Rick’s cassette tape when it came out. We were station in Sicily Italy, His voice was so different than any other artist and I loved it. Also his cover on song “When I Fall In Love” was beautiful. I will always be a fan.

@thecompanioncube4211 Жыл бұрын

"Even when I was 21, the guy in the video is not me" Damn... that's an emotional hit. Rick is the humblest guy ever. Couldn't have happened to a better person. Godspeed ya Rickrollers

@carbine090909 Жыл бұрын

i loved getting rickrolled. No matter what mood you were in, suddenly you've got that song in your head, like happy hypnosis, and that for me was the joke - you were bait-and-switching someone because you knew they'd smile and sing along and do that little drumroll dance, and have a wholesome thought for a second, despite themselves. It was something we could all share in. I'm glad its coming back, we need it. ♥️

@stevencoardvenice Жыл бұрын

Wang Chun is good too

@MichaelOKC Жыл бұрын

@@stevencoardvenice Great!! Now I Have to Wang Chung tonight!!

@ColoringKaria Жыл бұрын

That’s why this joke was always so good! Unlike a lot of other “pranks” it’s not at anyone’s expense. Not even Rick. Because it’s never like Rick is bad. It’s like a surprise and a fun one. Like the one I saw it first was Rick and then the Obama/McCain election videos of them what was funny! In an era where everything is soo mean where pranks lead to people being physically injured heres a joke that’s funny, fun and wholesome.

@carbine090909 Жыл бұрын

@@ColoringKaria 💯

@carbine090909 Жыл бұрын

@@MichaelOKC doesn't everybody?

@eveabr 11 ай бұрын

My 10-year-old son introduced me to the meme and it was so nice, because at that moment we were sharing sth from my pre-teen years. And this is just one of his hits. He was huge! His songs are unforgettable! He deserves all the best!

@thuydoan7496 9 ай бұрын

Pete Waterman must have really cherished Rick Astley to let him live with him. I'm so glad Pete did so. Rick Astley had an amazing voice.

@DS-nq1dg Жыл бұрын

I'm a 50 year old Black guy and love Rick! He just always seemed genuine. To this day when my lady and I get in a fight, I just say "come on baby, we're no strangers to love." And she immediately says "don't you dare!" Rick works!

@julieanna8495 Жыл бұрын

This is priceless! 🥰😂❤️👍🏼

@sayansarkarz5414 Жыл бұрын

Wholesome

@TWROC96 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful and fun.

@odigomez1787 Жыл бұрын

“Never going to give you up” will live on, not because of the meme but because it’s an amazing song.

@Kaylaw9 Жыл бұрын

And because Rick Astley seems like a cool guy.

@Tawadeb 11 ай бұрын

Great words

@eglol 9 ай бұрын

Yes! I mean, the meme will go on because it's actually a great song

@thuydoan7496 9 ай бұрын

When I first heard this song, it immediately blew me away. Rick's vocals were so powerful in this song.

@lebambale Жыл бұрын

A really well-edited interview, content and tone wise, flows nicely from topic to topic, from history to reflections like what it means to the future finally, from happier moments, to heavier, harder, sadder stuff behind it all. Perhaps nothing too exceptional, just a professionally done documentary and exemplary because of it.

@katisugarbaker7349 Жыл бұрын

He’s a beautiful soul. Humility, wisdom, and talent don’t always go together but they do in this man. No coincidence that the song --Never Gonna Give You Up-- is loved and it was he who brought it to the world. What almost everyone wants to know is there’s someone or a heavenly power that is there, that is NEVER gonna give them up. We share that deep deep wish. So you sing it in a catchy melody and it has the power to transcend EVERYTHING. What a wonderful phenomenon. Thanks to Mr. Cotter, too, for taking the song and that gorgeous voice for another spin around the globe.

@nurlindafsihotang49 4 ай бұрын

Well, aside his staking claim he brought stripe Polo shirt back😂

@GTSE2005 Жыл бұрын

I love how humble Rick is about this. We wouldn't get this from any other guy.

@charlesedward5047 Жыл бұрын

I see what you did there...

@justsomefish Жыл бұрын

Yes and his songs never gonna let you down.

@RobertDoornbosF1 Жыл бұрын

I hope we'll never say goodbye to this song

@somedudewatchingyoutube9163 Жыл бұрын

Rick is humble, but he’s also never gonna hurt us

@JCPrototypes Жыл бұрын

HIs family was first. RESPECT

@JEFFKINGS Жыл бұрын

There are so many of Rick's contemporaries from that time period that are dead, broke, or total nutters in 2022. Incredible that he not only made it out of that scene with a good head on his shoulders, but has experienced an entire career renaissance by not taking himself too seriously and embracing the meme.

@rosericci1363 11 ай бұрын

Wow, what a neat guy ! Didn't let fame go to his head, kept his priorities straight, his humility comes through loud and clear.

@emte5676 5 ай бұрын

Never Going to Give You Up IS the happiest love song of devotion EVER made and Rick Astley breathed life into it. It is a phenomenon of love. It can never be a joke, because it is too beautifully joyful!

@SAJuk-lb4dh Жыл бұрын

I was 18 in the UK when this was released . It was huge . I don't know if Rick realises that every lad wanted to be like him, the hair ,the clothes. Every lass fancied the pants off him . What a good humble fella he has always been . Big respect Rick and thanks for the memories of some class songs 👌

@Atite_Lometen Жыл бұрын

I was 8 in El Salvador and even in the most secluded part of that tiny third world country you'll find a dude with a boombox on his shoulder blasting every ones hears, everyone loves that song everyone lol

@huzcer Жыл бұрын

Great song, now more than then I think. Rick is obviously a great guy as you can tell from this piece but the persona in the video would have been considered pretty uncool at the time for many!

@jal051 11 ай бұрын

I was 15. In Spain. It was huge too. I still have the maxi-single somewhere in a box.

@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un Жыл бұрын

As a fellow meme, Rick is a deep and humble nice soul. The Rick Roll isn't a joke, it's a guaranteed smile on someone's face! I was blown away by that powerful voice coming out of him the first time MTV played that video. It's a crying shame the industry burned him out, but he deserves every bit of the attention. Keep rollin', Rick!

@SamirGamingREAL Жыл бұрын

So when you gonna feed all the starving children?

@dyronw.brodbeck Жыл бұрын

@@SamirGamingREAL After the RepublicRats start.

@tankexpert Жыл бұрын

Its the suprime leader

@yoface938 Жыл бұрын

Comes to show that society really doesn’t care about music or talent, it just wants to worship the money and idolize the people and the money they bring. Everyone wants their cut and piece of the pie, wether it be money or fame through an tv interview all the way down to an autograph.

@Somedudeidk26 Жыл бұрын

It's a fake Kim guys

@Dzokhar 7 ай бұрын

How on earth could this whole thing get even more wholesome and amazing?

@markreeves7116 9 ай бұрын

Great Documentary. Always loved this song. Happy that it’s back. Rick Astley is a super special guy and I’m so happy he’s found his own happiness. I do remember as a kid seeing his music video and thinking “no way that voice is coming from that kid!”

@petedavis7970 Жыл бұрын

"It couldn't happen to a nicer guy" - Pete Waterman From everything I've seen of Astley in interviews in the past few years, this seems to be a very true statement. I'm so happy for him that he's found success on his own terms in the years since. He deserves it!

@Patralgan Жыл бұрын

Like many others, back in 2007, at first, I was annoyed when I was rickrolled constantly, but at some point it clicked... I went from being annoyed to realizing that the song is not embarassing but actually super amazing. Every time I hear the song, it's a delight.

@kevinkertarahardja1836 Жыл бұрын

yeah me too, from being annoyed to occasionally look it up on youtube.

@tjenadonn6158 Жыл бұрын

There's just something about the combination of deep soulful vocals and ridiculously '80s synthpop that works unexpectedly perfectly. You can hear it elsewhere on the Yazoo records "Upstairs at Eric's" and "You And Me Both," with Allison Moyet's contralto taking songs like "Only You," "Don't Go" and "Situation" even further than Vince Clarke's (formerly of Depeche Mode and later one half of Erasure) synth arrangements already were. Even going back to the Donna Summer/Georgio Moroder collaboration. "I Feel Love" it. Just. Works.

@edwin97a 7 ай бұрын

Rick is an Icon when I'm in grade 10, really a Super Star. Everybody is dancing Every time we hear this song. Greetings from Canada

@dimension323 11 ай бұрын

Ive known the song before youtube circa 1999 one day my mother put a 80s hits Custom CD and this was number 1 because if the intro, thanks for the memories rick.

@danmccarthy4700 Жыл бұрын

This man deserves all the happiness in the world.

@michgingras Жыл бұрын

this not even an opinion this is a waste of time

@nashtrashcool Жыл бұрын

@BlahblahblahblahblahblahblahFU Жыл бұрын

This guy is so genuine… he knows what he wanted, how he wanted to live, and is satisfied with it. Good for him!

@nurlindafsihotang49 4 ай бұрын

But not back then. He almost got sued

@l.w.i7478 Жыл бұрын

Just watched the video of him in Glastonbury, came straight to your video afterwards, and both are heartwarming and I love them to bits. You go, Rick! 🎉

@candyman.5757 9 ай бұрын

i think rick is an amazing person and deserves the kind of respect that the song gave him ...the newer songs that he makes also have that emotionally chill connection with the mind .

@Santiago-ii7sl Жыл бұрын

The fact he has absorbed the meme, accepted it, and even joked about it himself says a lot about his character. It must have been very confusing and probably humiliating to think you're being joked about for your music. Anyway I'm sure he now understands the nature of the internet and that it was never personal towards him it was just an elaborate funny internet joke. Glad to see it.

@secondsein7749 Жыл бұрын

The thing is, his song was never a joke to begin with. It was a genuinely good song that propelled him to stardom when it came out. If it was really a bad song then he might be miffed by it. I doubt it considering his personality but my point is that even if it was any other person, they wouldn't be as miffed by it as well if their greatest song is used a prank instead of their worst.

@sandraa3550 Жыл бұрын

He has the loveliest nature - such an awesome guy :)

@sainttimothy2230 Жыл бұрын

He made his money and dipped,I would have done the same thing

@NorrlandsAstrid Жыл бұрын

I mean, how could you not?

@JustsomeSteve Жыл бұрын

You know Vice, sometimes you can be really annoying. But sometimes you create absolute gems. This is one of them!

@EnergeticSpark63 Жыл бұрын

hey

@fernandogaibor8043 Жыл бұрын

100% agree, I desuscribe to the channel when they started posting blm stuff a year or two ago (annoying), but now, this is good

@SurvivingAnotherDay Жыл бұрын

@@fernandogaibor8043 BLM!!!!!

@colesmith7754 Жыл бұрын

@@fernandogaibor8043 🤡

@istudy9 Жыл бұрын

100%

@mainstay. Жыл бұрын

What an absolutely nice guy. I'm so glad his life went from good to best. A rock/pop story that succeeded and wasn't the usual plummet into drugs and pain.

@Testacabeza 11 ай бұрын

We have a friend that looks like Rick, and we have been calling him Rick since the song came out :) And my sons love Rick and all his new records. What a nice man he is. Cheers!

@VeteranVandal Жыл бұрын

Rick is a legend. He didn't look the part, but dressed great, danced with complete fear and ACED it.

@MonkeyJedi99 Жыл бұрын

Was? IS!

@dehartfamily3091 Жыл бұрын

Perfect comment really

@zhoubaidinh403 Жыл бұрын

did he ever rake in the big bucks?

@VeteranVandal Жыл бұрын

@@zhoubaidinh403 I think his first boom did it for him.

@erikdiaz5999 Жыл бұрын

It’s cause he didn’t give you up.

@jlv3x Жыл бұрын

35 years and the song still sounds incredible, stands up to anything released today. Great songs just never get old!!!

@bimapringgo Жыл бұрын

That's the magic of Stock Aitken Waterman

@juts_sama Жыл бұрын

But, have you heard about the word?

@positivelyserena 6 ай бұрын

I love this song then and now. 54 years old and still sing along to it every time it plays on the radio!

@CeeJay2.O 4 ай бұрын

Yeah me too, Rick Ashley was in a poster on my wall as a teenager and that was 37 years ago 😂😂😂😂😂

@user-rs6ef6ch1c 11 ай бұрын

Back then I was 17. I’m 53 now. Still singing out loud when it’s on the radio. It’s true what they say, it’s in your emotional dna. And what a nice guy.

@bmcr-fr2jy Жыл бұрын

My 9 year old son randomly rick rolled me a couple of weeks ago (for the first time ever). I was so amazed that the rick roll is still relevant, and that it is still currently being used and discovered by a new generation. My son was surprised when I informed him that I already knew what rick rolled is, and that the rick roll has been around since before he was even born. Plus the original song was recorded a few decades earlier. It's amazing how it can affect a new generation as if it was just thought up yesterday. Since then, he has been watching the actual film clip for the original song regularly, and singing along with it like it's on the top of his playlist for this month's latest hit releases. It's incredible to see the song being an influence on a new generation all these years later.

@warrax111 Жыл бұрын

discovered by negative way.

@filipedias7284 Жыл бұрын

Hahaha this is my favorite thing ❤️❤️

@Coccolinodc Жыл бұрын

It’s a testament to the quality of music in the 80’s that so many of those songs are being rediscovered by the youth of today

@SC-gp7kt Жыл бұрын

I'm finding the younger generations love this song. Rightfully so!

@hanz3470 Жыл бұрын

I hope the proudest moment of my son isn't his love for a music video.

@carlop-Delbrook Жыл бұрын

I love how this song went from a hit, to a joke, now it’s a piece of nostalgia that everyone embraces. Thank you Rick for giving us a early 90s and early internet time capsule

@Cangaca777 Жыл бұрын

He seems like a very funny, genuine and humble guy. i'm really happy for him and where he's at with his life.

@zyncwargaming179 Жыл бұрын

Nostalgia??? im still rolling people today.! anyway this is a cool cat video.

@graciekattan6618 Жыл бұрын

I thought rickrolling was still relevant today?

@mwmulv Жыл бұрын

Check how they used it in season two of Ted Lasso. You might actually shed some years.

@tigerofcopenhagen2225 Жыл бұрын

Song is 80's - not 90's :) Internet is 90's.

@petermaardananders6803 11 ай бұрын

I cant stop humming it, when it comes up again. Im old enough to heard it on WAPS radio 'pirates' in Amsterdam for the 1st time, it got me hook, line and sinker. Soon later it went ballistic, and the Rickroll is 'never gonna give you up'. Did'nt knew the full backstory, only knew he was a guy serving tea etc in the S, A & W studio. Good to know the full story now, happy to see how great it all worked out. 👍

@domso1o 7 ай бұрын

I remember being 9/10 years old surfing the early days of KZfaq and would be livid when Rick Astley popped up in a video. Nowadays, i appreciate and miss those days. A timeless classic.

@corndogonasticc Жыл бұрын

Rickroll is such a massive part of meme history that without it, we probably wouldn't get the memes we have now. Plus that its iconic, a banger and a meme that will never give you up. Kudos to rick and the rest of the people who worked on this masterpiece.

@TheAdventurerAndDiscoverer Жыл бұрын

*We’re no strangers dangers*

@fromulus Жыл бұрын

Rik Astley is great, this whole story is great. Dude can't stop becoming a world-wide phenomenon and he's not even trying to.

@tonycarpenter-Makzimia 11 ай бұрын

One of the songs that defined the year I met my wife. 36 years on, and counting :). Loved Rick, still do, a music treasure.

@xXDanielXx321 Жыл бұрын

Young song artist needed to watch this. Rick was going thru depression and he handled it pretty well.

@roncooper8666 Жыл бұрын

I'm a 76 year old guy from California ... of course I'm familiar with this song. Back in the day, when it first hit the airwaves, it was everywhere! It truly was a ubiquitous phenomenon. Sadly, but truthfully, I had no idea who sang the song. It the years since then I may have heard the name Rick Astley a handful of times? But even hearing his name never made any conscious association with the song, "Never gonna give you up ... " Watching this video was a total accident, a fluke! I was just watching some unrelated stuff on KZfaq when this video started running and suddenly I was drawn into the interview by this very pleasant chap who turned out to be none other than Rick Astley. Now, having watched the entire video, I am left with the impression that Mr. Astley is a genuinely nice, humble, man who deserves the best this life can provide. I really enjoyed this video and now I have a face that connects with such a famous song. What a genuinely nice human being!

@SecretSauceyjuice Жыл бұрын

He's a good dude. If you're bored and want to hear another cool conversation with him, he was on Chris Hardwick's ID10T podcast a few years back. I enjoyed it when it came out, but I might go back and re-listen.

@roncooper8666 Жыл бұрын

@@SecretSauceyjuice Thanks for the heads-up! It sounds like a winner -- I already like Chris Hardwick. I'll check it out.

@SecretSauceyjuice Жыл бұрын

@@roncooper8666 For sure, man 🤙

@NewUnion111 Жыл бұрын

Ron you seem like a lovely guy yourself. A nice comment

@roncooper8666 Жыл бұрын

@@NewUnion111 Thank you, ma'am! That's about the nicest thing anyone has said about me in quite a spell. I suppose that it takes a good person to recognize a good person? And, if that's the case, then I believe that you would thereby fall into that category yourself? Actually, I would motion that anyone with a name as beautiful as yours should automatically be qualified, by default, to be a genuinely good person! Can someone please second that motion? 😁

@MiKi-sx3tt Жыл бұрын

You can see how fame really change his eyes. At the peak of his fame, his eyes just dead. I can't imagine the pressure he was going under at that time. Glad he still never give up his music. He's such a gem.

@aliwooz913 Жыл бұрын

just shows that money and fame really doesn't give your life full happiness. yeah it can buy you things others can't but that doesn't bring happiness

@lisadominguez3457 Жыл бұрын

I fell in love with Rick’s voice the moment I heard his single and the moment I had my first look at him? I think my mouth fell open and I fell in love deeper. Being a backup singer you lose all preconceptions of what a performer looks like and only feel the voice. Rick was a complete oddity to what I believed I was incapable of, assumptions based on just my sense of hearing.

@Clarice-rp7mh 4 ай бұрын

First time I saw this video for this song, which I already loved, I was in San Antonio, TX. We were there for our monthy visit to Sea World , on our annual passes. My daughter was 2 & 1/2 years old. She was dancing to this song, and I thought Rick Astley was absolutely adorable. He appeared to be the picture of clean living and trust, when so much of the other music videos were all about sex and inuendo. I was 30 years old, I am now 67 and wish Rick had a longer list of hits, in the USA. Thanks for this reminder. These days I only buy greatest hits CDs, I will have to research Rick.

@jrodohio Жыл бұрын

This honestly made me tear up. Rick seems like such a good guy. I'm genuinely happy for his success.

@SebLeBrox Жыл бұрын

I cant believe that it seems like the producers still dont understand that this is their masterpiece. I always loved this track. Made me want to get into music making.

@rcnhsuailsnyfiue2 Жыл бұрын

To be fair this is just one hit of many for Stock Aitken Waterman, they’ve had twelve others reach no. 1 and countless more in the top 40.

@heidiartamuse2954 Жыл бұрын

This song is so uplifting still. I remember getting 'rickroll'd', and I loved it. I was instantly smiling. Rick's voice is fabulous, and everyone had to do the dance when that song is played. There was another thing that went around on facebook. It was a Wheel of Fortune clue, and I couldn't get it. Everyone got it, and the completed clue was ' Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down.' So fantastic! That led me to do a dive into videos and new songs on youtube. With all the 'stuff' out there now, songs like this are completely refreshing and uplifting.

@richardcrouch356 7 ай бұрын

Rick I joined the Army in 1986 (at 17) and all your songs kept me going if I was down I cheered myself up by playing your songs on a cassette funny enough I still have it and I took it every where Ireland, Hong Kong Hawaii etc right to the point I still listen to your songs now, all i can say is your songs kept me going, thank you

@brianw13 Жыл бұрын

10:43 to 11:30 had me rick rolling in laughter haha. All the clothes were his. His dance was based on fear. I love everything about this story. Thank you Rick Astley & Vice.

@brookiegremlin6660 Жыл бұрын

i love his reference to "double denim" iykyk

@farahdraim5572 Жыл бұрын

Rick Astley is the G.O.A.T. Full of humility and heart, what a legend. Love you, Rick!

@HPB1776 9 ай бұрын

What an amazing guy Rick is, so warm and humble. I live next to his home town, Newton-le -Willows and have loved the song since I was at high school. He's just such a typically, genuine, down to earth, salt of the earth Northerner. He did a free concert at Manchester Arena for NHS front line workers who needed a boost after struggling through covid (as soon as it was safe to mix). It was so amazing, he's an amazing musician. It made me cry happy tears. He also had another great local band called The Lottery Winners as a supporting act to help them raise their profile. More men should be like Rick. ❤