Rick Astley, the British pop sensation whose catchy ’80s tune “Never Gonna Give You Up” found new life in the internet age, has officially joined Spotify‘s elite “Billions Club,” according to a June 2 announcement. The infectious synth-pop track from his 1987 debut album “Whenever You Need Somebody” has now surpassed one billion streams on the platform.
“I never could have imagined back in 1987 that ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ would still be going strong decades later,” Astley, 59, said in a statement. “Thanks to streaming platforms, a whole new generation has been able to discover music like mine. Reaching one billion streams is something I never dreamed of and to everyone who’s ever listened, thank you.”
The track, crafted by powerhouse production team Stock Aitken Waterman, dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks and has moved five million units to date.
The song experienced an unexpected second wind in the late 2000s when the “Rickrolling” meme took the internet by storm. This digital prank involves tricking someone into clicking a disguised link that leads to Astley’s music video. When the unsuspecting victim lands on the video instead of their intended destination, they’ve been officially “Rickrolled.”
Thanks to this viral phenomenon, “Never Gonna Give You Up” racked up massive YouTube views (currently at 1.6 billion), became a staple at sports events, and even got a shoutout from The White House’s X account during Obama’s presidency.
“I don’t know how my career would have turned out without Rickrolling,” Astley reflected in his 2024 memoir “Never.” “But it would be stupid to say it hasn’t ultimately done me a lot of good.”
While “Never Gonna Give You Up” remains his signature hit, Astley’s catalog includes other bangers like “Together Forever,” “She Wants to Dance with Me,” “Cry for Help” and “It Would Take a Strong Man.” His latest album, 2023’s “Are We There Yet?,” peaked at No. 2 in his home country of the U.K.
LINK LOVE
 |  |  |
| Ryan Murphy is mad that everyone hates his version of JFK Jr & Carolyn Bessette (Celebitchy) | The maddening twist ending to ‘We Were Liars’ explained (Pajiba) | Now Brad Pitt Is wearing a jumpsuit (Go Fug Yourself) |
 |  |  |
| A newly-out Anna Camp and her girlfriend Jade Whipkey make their red carpet (OMG Blog) | The frisky guys of Too Hot to Handle: Spain, handle it themselves (Boy Culture) | Zane Carter in Burberry trunks (Kenneth in the 212) |
HOT DEALS
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation featuring a totally transformed audio experience with Adaptive Audio and Transparency mode, and an updated fit for all-day comfort. [Walmart]
New Balance Gender Inclusive Made in USA 990v6 Sneaker
A best-selling runner keeps up the pace as a crossover street sneaker sporting the performance cushioning and streamlined profile that have maintained its status as an all-time winner. [Nordstrom Rack]
Like most websites, Socialite Life uses affiliate links where available, which means we earn a little commission if you click through and buy something. Also, as Amazon Influencers, we earn from qualifying purchases. Savings shown are those from the date and time of this article’s publication.
