Rick Astley in his signature beige outfit from the 'Never Gonna Give You Up' music video.

Never Gonna Give You Up

2008music/prankclassic

Published March 10, 2026

Also known as: NGGYU · Never Gonna Give You Up Meme

A classic rickroll meme using Rick Astley's song, tricking users into watching the music video through deceptive links.

bait and switch memes trolling memes music video memes earworm memes

Overview

The rickroll is a classic internet prank where users trick others into clicking deceptive links leading to Rick Astley's 1987 music video "Never Gonna Give You Up."

The prank originated on 4chan and evolved into one of the internet's most enduring pranks, transcending the platform to become mainstream.

Origin & Background

Platform
Internet forums/links
Creator
Rick Astley
Date
2008

Rickrolling is a bait and switch: a person provides a web link that claims to be relevant to the topic at hand, but the link actually takes the user to the 1987 Rick Astley music video for Never Gonna Give You Up.

How It Spread

The rickroll became one of the internet's oldest and most persistent pranks, where users trick others into clicking links that lead to Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" music video. The prank became a cultural craze that persists across decades.

The meme spread across all internet platforms, becoming synonymous with internet pranks and bait-and-switch humor. It remains relevant and active after nearly two decades.

Platforms

4chanRedditTwitterYouTubeall platforms

Timeline

1987-01-01

Original Rick Astley song released

2008-12-10

Know Your Meme entry created

2025-01-01

Never Gonna Give You Up is still actively used and shared across platforms

View on Google Trends

How to Use This Meme

Create deceptive links (often shortened) that appear to lead to content users want, but instead direct to the music video.

1

Learn the Never Gonna Give You Up format by looking at popular examples

2

Think of a situation or joke that fits the meme perfectly

3

Create your own version of Never Gonna Give You Up using a meme tool or app

4

Share it where your audience will get the reference

Create Your Own

Cultural Impact

The rickroll represents online culture's longevity and how pranks can become institutional traditions. It demonstrates how the internet preserves and continues traditions.

Fun Facts

One of the oldest internet pranks still in use

Rick Astley himself embraced the meme

2020 rickroll of the entire internet by YouTube

Used in countless high-profile pranks

Remains instantly recognizable after nearly 20 years

The Never Gonna Give You Up meme has been shared millions of times across social media

You can create your own Never Gonna Give You Up meme using free tools like Imgflip

Never Gonna Give You Up first appeared in 2007

The meme is still remixed and adapted by creators

Brands and marketers have used Never Gonna Give You Up in their campaigns

The meme is still remixed and adapted by creators

Derivatives & Variations

Rickroll link variations

A variation of Never Gonna Give You Up

(2007)

QR code rickrolls

A variation of Never Gonna Give You Up

(2007)

Rickroll compilations

A variation of Never Gonna Give You Up

(2007)

Frequently Asked Questions