10 years since the “Rick Roll” phenomenon of 2008. #RickAstley

It was April 1st, 2008. I remember it like it was yesterday! In arguably the largest April fool’s prank in internet history, practically every video on YouTube would start, then shortly transform into Rick Astley’s classic hit song and video, “Never gonna give you up”. I was listening to the song on my 80’s playlist and thought, “Has it really been 10 years since the infamous Rick Roll day of 2008”?

The song itself is retro, having been released in 1987. The song by the UK singer hit the ground running in the US, and over decades it has been a very popular song. The song was the lead single on his hit debut album “Whenever You Need Somebody” which according to his own official website, has sold 15.2 million copies worldwide. Seeing the image of young Astley in a trench coat, pacing side to side has been used in several internet memes and vines across the world.

Is this insanity? It is such a simple idea. “Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and desert you. Never gonna make you cry, never gonna say goodbye, never gonna tell a lie, and hurt you.” Simple enough lyrics for anyone to learn, yet genuine enough with the right beat to last for decades. It’s no wonder that much of the music of the past is still relevant today, regardless of genre.

10 years passes by quick. Think about what you were doing in 2008. What frame of mind were you in? Now think back to 1998, 1988, 1978, or 1968 if you were born. It is good to look back and smile. For me it’s a great way to self medicate and appreciate the memories through music and media. I am a firm believer that sometimes in the process of moving forward in this thing we call life, looking back on memories like the Rick Roll will make you smile. Let that smile and feeling of nostalgia, propel you into the future.