Who was the first person to get Rickrolled?

This is the story of the best internet meme in the world, Rickrolling.

Produced by Matt Beat.

Check out my band, @ElectricNeedleRoom!

Sources/further reading:

An annotated script of this video:

#rickroll #internethistory #rickrolling

Rickrolling is a bait and switch prank, almost always using a disguised hyperlink that leads to the music video for Rick Astley’s hit song, “Never Gonna Give You Up.” Usually there is some sort of build up to get you to click on the link. Like, “look who was in the news!” I mean, it’s difficult not to be tempted to click on something like that. So you do, and "Never Gonna Give You Up" welcomes you. Here is the story of how that all got started.

[mattbeatgoeson]

BHAHAHAHAHHAAAA! Y'all got Rickrolled!

[carschmn]

Having an older song explode after years retired couldn’t have happened to a nicer person. I’m very happy Rick got the chance to enjoy some notoriety when he was mature enough to enjoy it.

[daisywrabbit]

The original Rick roll was:
Hearing Rick Astley on the radio and imagining him as a big, burly man, then seeing his music video on TV, and realizing he’s a puny kid.
Never gonna give you up subverting expectations since 1987.

[leonskennedy]

What makes Rickrolling the greatest meme ever is that it’s a genuine good song, and Rick Astley is a talented wholesome guy

[SidharthPriyadarsh]

Please keep making such interesting videos on trendy topics

[chewface]

Actually, I got you all beat. My stepfather was the first person ever Rickrolled. 1996. I had Rick Astley's "Whenever You Need Somebody" on cassette. My walkman wasnt working very well, so my stepdad fixed it. Then he needed to test it out. He only listened to country music and had no idea what I listened to. The first song on the cassette was Never Gonna Give You Up. When it started, the look on his face was of utter disgust and agony. And then the lyrics kicked in, and my stepdad was like, "You listen that stupid black music!?!" Still makes me laugh to this day.

[GeeksWelcomeYT]

So Rockstar is kind of responsible for Rickrolling becoming a thing? Fascinating!

[FODTony]

Just found this channel and I can’t explain how wonderful it is to see someone as enthusiastic about history and music. Mr. Beat is definitely one of the greatest creators on the platform.

[raya]

i was born in 1987. i enlisted in the navy in 2006. i met my buddy ricketts, or wikitts because he too pretends to know a lot about video games, who would constantly send me this song. every time i hear it, i smile and shake my head.

good times.

[alonkatz]

If Mr. Beat linked one of his own videos or songs claiming it was "Never Gonna Give You Up", that would be a Beatroll!

[flyyhighhr]

The song is unironically a banger. Glad this meme showed it to a whole new generation

[KJJDS]

Do I hear She Wants To Dance With Me in the background? Nice!

[carschmn]

6:18 lol there’s not a lot of things 18 million people do

[SteveWeiserOnYouTube]

I'm old enough to remember when this song was all over the airwaves, and I just wanted to punch the effing radio every time.

[BigbricksFR]

0:13 is really important info, guys I promise it’s not a rickroll

[MrGrogan]

Duckrolling in many cases also involved the audio of Patrick Stewart saying, "I'm Jean Luke Picard of the USS Enterprise"

[Guarbanglamaharajishaannandi]

Cameraman is the first one to get rickroll

[mccollum]

His super cute face and boy next door image didn't hurt either. Love you, Rick!!!!

[franzferdinand]

As someone born in 99, to me the song just feels so 80s. A solid banger from a lost age

[kylehazachode]

Aw man, I thought you were gonna mention the Ted Lasso episode where we got rick rolled through out the entire episode.