'80s singer Rick Astley latest Web phenomenon - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 04-05-2008, 09:20 AM

NEW YORK (Billboard) - It's been more than 20 years since Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" topped the Billboard Hot 100, but it is once again infiltrating the public consciousness thanks to the phenomenon known as "RickRolling."

Around March 2007, bloggers and online social networkers started casually linking to the song's nostalgically '80s music video via YouTube. RickRolling was a psych-out for readers who would click on tantalizing hyperlinks, only to fall prey to a young Astley's blonde bouffant and idiosyncratic dance moves.

RickRolling has since taken on a life of its own, with YouTube users creating their own lip-synced routines and real-life RickRoll interruptions at, say, a Scientology protest or board meeting, often with the refrain "You've been RickRolled."

The movement has spurred digital sales for the track, which has sold at least 1,000 downloads per week since late December and peaked with 2,500 sales the week of March 9.

On April Fools' Day, YouTube RickRolled users by linking to the video on all of its home-page features. Other online outlets like Sports Illustrated and Live Journal followed suit. Altogether, the video was viewed 6.6 million times in one day, generating 43,000 user comments and boosting the track to No. 77 at Amazon's download store.

"YouTube brought (RickRolling) to our attention late last year and were able to track the sources of the hits," says Sam Gomez, VP of digital marketing for Sony BMG's commercial music group of Sony BMG, Astley's label.

"Then about a month ago we were approached with the idea of the April Fools' prank. Rick and his manager loved it. So we wanted to have fun with this."

Gomez adds that it was all made possible through the alliance that Sony BMG made with Google and YouTube in 2006 for access to its back catalog of videos.

Sony BMG has issued "Never Gonna Give You Up" as a ringtone, and is mulling another greatest-hits release for 2008 in the United Kingdom. Three of Astley's albums -- his debut, "Whenever You Need Somebody"; "Greatest Hits"; and "Platinum & Gold Collection" -- remain in print in the United States via Sony BMG's RCA/Legacy label.

Reuters/Billboard

ilovethe80s · 04-05-2008, 01:12 PM

I actually like that song

Dean Winchester · 04-05-2008, 02:52 PM

I said it before in the April Fools thread... I just don't get "Rickrolling", I was born in 1979 so I was about 8 when the song was popular, and remember it very well. I suppose if I was born in 1989 with minimal exposure to music of the 80's, the video would come off far more random, but as it stands, "ok.... this is a Rick Astley video, what about it?" is my attitude when people have tried to Rickroll me.

ilovethe80s · 04-05-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Winchester

I said it before in the April Fools thread... I just don't get "Rickrolling", I was born in 1979 so I was about 8 when the song was popular, and remember it very well. I suppose if I was born in 1989 with minimal exposure to music of the 80's, the video would come off far more random, but as it stands, "ok.... this is a Rick Astley video, what about it?" is my attitude when people have tried to Rickroll me.

I know I don't understand the big thing about it either I guess people must think it's a bad song or something but I actually think it's good

waichingliu81 · 04-05-2008, 04:46 PM

rick astley was big during the late 80s when he worked with UK pop producers, mike stock, matt aitken and pete waterman, aka the pop phenomenon known as SAW. although his music was often sneered at by record industry insiders, not to mention the british record buying public also for being cheesy and annoying.

though rick is known for 'never gonna give you up', he also sang together forever, take me to your heart and even a rendition of nat king cole's when i fall in love. i liked a lot of his records as a kid, and i still do for that matter

Dean Winchester · 04-05-2008, 06:25 PM

Rick Astley is in fact Kylie Minogue slowed down. Is it any coincidence they both were signed and worked with SAW circa 1987?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=l4rv0Dy5CQk

catlover79 · 04-06-2008, 12:28 AM

First the New Kids are coming back, and now Rick Astley is regaining popularity. Is this 2008 or 1988??

Dean Winchester · 04-06-2008, 12:42 AM

^ don't forget Paula Abdul has a song out as well

Stormtracker TF · 04-06-2008, 12:43 AM

RickRolling is legendary.

EmoJoe · 04-06-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muppettracker TF

RickRolling is legendary.

agreed. nothing beats it.

Dean Winchester · 04-06-2008, 12:54 AM

count me in as someone who prefers "Together Forever" (Rick's OTHER #1 hit)

Cactus Jack · 04-06-2008, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

agreed. nothing beats it.

Ditto, unless you like Chocolate Rain and sneezing pandas

Cactus Jack · 04-06-2008, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Winchester

count me in as someone who prefers "Together Forever" (Rick's OTHER #1 hit)

I dont like any of them , but I dont think theyre extremely horrible.

REO Speedwagon is a WHOLE NOTHER STORY

80sTrivia · 04-06-2008, 10:09 AM

Funny!!!

I'm glad Rick himself is in on the act, and reaping some financial benefit as well! So many of Rick's songs are the sort of happy, fluffy tunes that put me in a good mood whenever I happen to hear them while shopping at the grocery store!

Chelsea · 04-06-2008, 10:15 AM

Of all the various inane and bizarre things that the teens and twentysomethings of today have cooked up, this is one of my favorites - just because of my fondness for 80s music.

04-05-2008, 09:20 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	'80s singer Rick Astley latest Web phenomenon NEW YORK (Billboard) - It's been more than 20 years since Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" topped the Billboard Hot 100, but it is once again infiltrating the public consciousness thanks to the phenomenon known as "RickRolling." Around March 2007, bloggers and online social networkers started casually linking to the song's nostalgically '80s music video via YouTube. RickRolling was a psych-out for readers who would click on tantalizing hyperlinks, only to fall prey to a young Astley's blonde bouffant and idiosyncratic dance moves. RickRolling has since taken on a life of its own, with YouTube users creating their own lip-synced routines and real-life RickRoll interruptions at, say, a Scientology protest or board meeting, often with the refrain "You've been RickRolled." The movement has spurred digital sales for the track, which has sold at least 1,000 downloads per week since late December and peaked with 2,500 sales the week of March 9. On April Fools' Day, YouTube RickRolled users by linking to the video on all of its home-page features. Other online outlets like Sports Illustrated and Live Journal followed suit. Altogether, the video was viewed 6.6 million times in one day, generating 43,000 user comments and boosting the track to No. 77 at Amazon's download store. "YouTube brought (RickRolling) to our attention late last year and were able to track the sources of the hits," says Sam Gomez, VP of digital marketing for Sony BMG's commercial music group of Sony BMG, Astley's label. "Then about a month ago we were approached with the idea of the April Fools' prank. Rick and his manager loved it. So we wanted to have fun with this." Gomez adds that it was all made possible through the alliance that Sony BMG made with Google and YouTube in 2006 for access to its back catalog of videos. Sony BMG has issued "Never Gonna Give You Up" as a ringtone, and is mulling another greatest-hits release for 2008 in the United Kingdom. Three of Astley's albums -- his debut, "Whenever You Need Somebody"; "Greatest Hits"; and "Platinum & Gold Collection" -- remain in print in the United States via Sony BMG's RCA/Legacy label. Reuters/Billboard
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04-06-2008, 12:28 AM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	First the New Kids are coming back, and now Rick Astley is regaining popularity. Is this 2008 or 1988??
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04-06-2008, 12:43 AM	#9
Stormtracker TF Happy Easter! Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: Jul 19, 2002 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 102,598	RickRolling is legendary.
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04-06-2008, 10:09 AM	#14
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	Funny!!! I'm glad Rick himself is in on the act, and reaping some financial benefit as well! So many of Rick's songs are the sort of happy, fluffy tunes that put me in a good mood whenever I happen to hear them while shopping at the grocery store!
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04-06-2008, 10:15 AM	#15
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	Of all the various inane and bizarre things that the teens and twentysomethings of today have cooked up, this is one of my favorites - just because of my fondness for 80s music.
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04-05-2008, 01:12 PM	#2
ilovethe80s Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 28, 2002 Location: MA Posts: 6,973	I actually like that song

04-05-2008, 02:52 PM	#3
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	I said it before in the April Fools thread... I just don't get "Rickrolling", I was born in 1979 so I was about 8 when the song was popular, and remember it very well. I suppose if I was born in 1989 with minimal exposure to music of the 80's, the video would come off far more random, but as it stands, "ok.... this is a Rick Astley video, what about it?" is my attitude when people have tried to Rickroll me.

04-05-2008, 04:46 PM	#5
waichingliu81 debbie allen Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 4,347	rick astley was big during the late 80s when he worked with UK pop producers, mike stock, matt aitken and pete waterman, aka the pop phenomenon known as SAW. although his music was often sneered at by record industry insiders, not to mention the british record buying public also for being cheesy and annoying. though rick is known for 'never gonna give you up', he also sang together forever, take me to your heart and even a rendition of nat king cole's when i fall in love. i liked a lot of his records as a kid, and i still do for that matter

04-05-2008, 06:25 PM	#6
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	Rick Astley is in fact Kylie Minogue slowed down. Is it any coincidence they both were signed and worked with SAW circa 1987? http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=l4rv0Dy5CQk

04-06-2008, 12:42 AM	#8
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	^ don't forget Paula Abdul has a song out as well

04-06-2008, 12:54 AM	#11
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	count me in as someone who prefers "Together Forever" (Rick's OTHER #1 hit)