The History of Rick Rolling
"Rick Rolling" is one of the internet's most famous pranks, dating back to 2007. It involves tricking someone into clicking a link that unexpectedly leads to Rick Astley's 1987 music video "Never Gonna Give You Up."
The meme originated on the message board 4chan as a bait and switch prank called "duckrolling." In May 2007, the first "Rick Roll" occurred when a link to the Rick Astley video was posted as a fake trailer for the highly anticipated video game "Grand Theft Auto IV."
The prank's popularity exploded in 2008, with April Fool's Day pranks by YouTube and major websites. Rick Astley himself embraced the meme, performing it live at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2008, and later participating in various Rick Roll surprises.
Today, Rick Rolling remains relevant in internet culture, having evolved from a simple prank to a cultural touchstone that spans generations of internet users.
Fun Facts
- • Rick Astley was only 21 when he recorded the song
- • The song reached #1 in 25 countries in 1987
- • Rick Rolling became popular before social media was mainstream
Ready to Start Rick Rolling?
Now that you understand the history and technology behind Rick Rolling, it's time to start pranking!
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