Rick Astley On The Continuing Success Of His First Hit ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’

Singer-songwriter and National Treasure Rick Astley joins Rob ahead of his new US tour with New Kids On The Block, Salt N Pepa and En Vogue. The pair discuss first meeting at CarFest, and Rick tells Rob all about how he started out as a tea boy after he signed with his first record label! Rick also explains the worldwide phenomenon Rickrolling, which he has learnt to use to his advantage.
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Rob Brydon is best known for his work on The Trip, Gavin & Stacey and presenting the BBC One comedy panel show Would I Lie To You?
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🎥 Edited by Greg Bernstein
This channel is a co-production with The Talent Bank thetalentbank.uk/
#RobBrydon #RickAstley #NeverGonnaGiveYouUp

[@RobBrydon]

Listen to the full episode free and exclusively on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7oUGuD5PYzBXEoozniNaTF

[@ChuddmasterZero]

Bloody hell Rick has aged well.

[@ordinarytree4678]

Thats what happens when you effectively retire in your 20s

[@jackienuttall7549]

Yes he didn't choose drugs ..that's why he looks young

[@ChuddmasterZero]

@@jackienuttall7549 good for him. It would appear to have been an excellent choice.

[@GWills-ys6rd]

I've bumped into Rick Astley a few times in Kingston-Upon-Thames. He's such a robust and friendly character having had to deal with so much negativity over the years. The music industry has always acknowledged that his vocal ability was very impressive and still is to this day. He deserves all the success and happiness that currently fills his life. Again, a wonderfully warm and authentic dialogue skillfully hosted by Rob Brydon. I would have loved to have seen a tiny music room session with Rob & Rick with some backing tracks, 'Cry for Help' would have been perfect, such a wonderfully soulful song (especially with Dawn Joseph's backing vocals).

[@sstills951]

I'm a pretty good guy as well.

[@HOTD108_]

@@sstills951 I don't know man, you seem like the type who would give me up, let me down, run around, AND desert me.

[@sstills951]

@@HOTD108_ Never!

[@e4jasperi]

Tiny room music session needs the tiny man in a box singing along 🤣

[@MrAndyStenz]

Rick seems like such a grounded and humble guy. His story is so cool!

[@dancesontheceiling]

I live in the US & am a big fan of The Trip, WILTY, but especially this series where a nice man interviews nice people & actually engages the guests. I admire that you ask interesting questions and (shocker) listen to the answers. All the best from North Carolina.

[@okaylumberjack]

Astley has such a lovely speaking voice, especially with that northern accent. Actually you both do (love that Welsh accent as well, Rob). I could listen to you two wittering all day.

[@joeey_long]

Saw Rick in Australia and he was brilliant. Didn't realise how funny he is as a person too! A proper entertainer

[@MM-qd4km]

If you needed any more proof that Rick is a good guy he looks for a coaster for his drink. Top Bloke.

[@Kiinell]

His daughter was spot on when she said the Rick Roll wasn't about him. It could literally be any video from the 80's. I'm glad he listened to her and also glad he hasn't been tempted to capitalise on it, because that would be so lame and he's way better than that.

[@seagullrob9703]

Respect for Rick. He seems a really nice, grounded guy. Cheers for that Rob Brydon.

[@jamesrichie7844]

5:45 Gary Barnicle sounds like one of Bob Mortimer's friends.

[@lsdev4229]

Thanks Rob and Rick. Great memories from Rick's music. Met my Husband in '88 married for over 30 yrs...good times,good times!🥰,Sharon.

[@79devo]

Rick is fabulous 👌🏻

[@rallymanize]

I must admit i was never a great Rick Astley fan, but he does have a good voice. But after listening to you guys chatting today, i can see he is a really good guy who loves what he does. Nice one guys.

[@Elwaves2925]

Same here. I lumped him in with all the other, over-produced, generic and frankly terrible, SAW artists because that's where he came up through. Yet, he was always the one with actual singing talent and a great voice.

[@Schmidtelpunkt]

It looks like he didn't take the success for granted back then and now is rewarded with a cheerful nature free of the cynicism people like him are often cursed with.

[@ordinarytree4678]

I used to dislike him and the Rickroll until I actually paid attention to the lyrics. His lyrics for that song are some of the most virtuous lyrics I've ever heard in pop music. Seriously, where else have you heard a love song that was about devotion and loyalty, first and foremost, rather than being about the sex or the chase or the looks or the money? This man, when he was basically still a child, sang about being a devoted partner. When I noticed that, he instantly became one of my major rolemodels and the song is still one of my favourites, though I do prefer his "Keep Singing" and "Angels".

[@rallymanize]

@@ordinarytree4678 A wonderful story on how when we actually listen to what is being sung, about the real feelings of life, and not about sex and looks as you say. Life changing moments that can last a life time.

[@beverleypender5931]

THAT song was an anthem for me. Loved it.

[@garymacmillan6401]

A totally genuine guy.

[@trevorporter4776]

One beautiful song by Rick is his version of 'When I fall in Love', Bea u ti ful.

[@andyrainnie1886]

What a lovely fella! I hope you have a good time on the US Rick, good luck with the shows.

[@theanubisfan10]

I cannot believe Brydon Rickrolled us.

[@teroril]

Gotta respect the Rick for weighing whether or not people are trying to milk the meme in deciding what deals to do! (Alliterations were unintended 😂).

[@RailingMedia]

Loving your spotify podcast of these interviews, Rob! You and Rick have a great rapport, can't wait to listen to the full chat.

[@carolynquinn8325]

What a treat to catch up a bit with Rick Astley! He seems like such a lovely fellow. And I’m delighted to hear he’ll be heading over to this side of the pond - hope he and his tour mates have some planned Canadian stops along the way🍁

[@kevinlance1813]

A true gent. Please let me say as a runner you can be near death and when Rick comes up on the playlist suddenly you are transformed into an energized and happy runner. Thanks for that Rick and also for another great interview Mr. Brydon.

[@garrick3727]

My mother likes Elvis and Rick Astley. It's not as odd of a combination as it first sounds.

[@nairocamilo]

I absolutely love Rick's songs. I really liked that new album he launched by 2016-ish

[@patrickmuhwheeney6518]

Wow, he's so mellow and intelligent, and a great understanding of what he does... Thank you Mr. Brydon!

[@diggabledork]

Rick is so wonderful. Cheers!

[@PipeDreamerJacques]

This was a particularly nice interview. Rick seems to be a very warm and humble fellow.

[@flippetskater]

This was lovely. I really appreciate hearing stories of how things happened, or came about, when the interviewee is allowed to simply speak on it - it's not a canned, hit-and-run media piece. I've gotta say, I clicked because an hour ago, I was listening to 80's radio in the car, and Never Gonna Give You Up came on, and I'm not ashamed to say that I turned it up and rocked out to it. It's a great song, and always was.

[@BrendanPramjee]

Rick is a legend and his super talented as well and oh a bloody decent human being !

[@Elwaves2925]

Rick is a talented singer, with a great voice, who got stuck with the over-producing, generic pop creating SAW. He may have been the only truly talented one among them IMO. I love that he embraced Rick Rollin' and even did it with the Foo Fighters. Always seems like a really nice guy.

[@albedo0point39]

Kylie turned out OK.

[@Elwaves2925]

@@albedo0point39 I can't deny that she was very successful after SAW but IMO it was still the same type of generic, over-produced pop that lacked any real soul.

[@JK_Clark]

@@albedo0point39 Kylie turned out OK despite the over-producing, generic pop creating SAW. She's a massive talent and totally gorgeous! Imagine how many talented artists were ignored during the SAW years, just because they didn't have the 'X-Factor'.

[@barbara82589]

Not only a nice bloke but what a voice with such depth and resonance! As people say, when ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ was released with video, you couldn’t believe such that voice came from such a young cute kid. Hope the tour comes through near us.

[@Awesomepossum2025]

Two Legends

[@angeladawn805]

How lovely indeed to see an interview that I didn't realise I wanted to see. It's nice to get a better handle on Rick, (other than cloudy memories of the 80's, and memes) - so thank you Rob :)

[@AshArAis]

Before a rickroll, the original was a duckroll, which was a picture of a duck on wheels. Likely because pictures were easier than videos at the time pre KZbin. The difference is, people wouldn't keep sending this specific version if they didn't love it. It's like the song We Are Number 1 from Lazy town. People loved it, and loved Stefan Karl, and they funded his treatments when he was ill. Memes only last a short time if there's no substance or love to it. It stands to Rick that his material is great, and he's a lovely genuine person. He took on the strange situation with a level head and good spirits. Fair play to him.

[@elainemackie1431]

Love Rick

[@hoisin75]

Cry for help is an absolute peach. Rick was rocking some awesome long hair around that time if memory serves - getting away from the teen pop image in look and sound

[@ShineKelly]

Oh! He is lovely! As per usual .. thank you Rob for another lovely interview - it's like you're picking them just for me :) I could have listened for at least another 3 mins as well lol - curse you swimming gala! Respect and appreciation to both you and Rick all the way from New Zealand!

[@mushypeas468]

Brilliant interview both lovely blokes. I remember Rick from the 80s my 13 year old daughter was introduced to Rick whilst playing Fortnite. She couldn't believe I knew of him before her and after introducing her to the rest of his music she's a huge fan.

[@BobbyLCollins]

I have to admit I was fully expecting this to redirect to a Never Gonna Give You Up video.

[@simonsaysrewind]

Very brilliant interview 👏

[@julianlineham]

Another gem, such a wonderful conversation, great interview Rob

[@onlyme219]

Ricks music is not my thing but I agree he is a national treasure, Goodluck with the tour

[@fourscoreand9884]

What a story :o

[@markpx]

This is the only time I was expecting to be rickrolled and it didn't happen. I can't win!

[@em_pen]

He was very interesting to listen to, I wanted that to go on longer! If you ever do any non-edited, extended thingies I'd love to see more.

[@jacobpaint]

It’s quite meta having Rick explain Rickrolling when he is one of the few justifiable reasons to use clickbait.

[@layalabi1667]

Loved it! Thanks!!

[@ChrisPollitt]

Great interview!

[@irmaomaycon3067]

Great!

[@jeremyparsons5379]

Exceptional 👍👍

[@thechipman2473]

Top guy

[@Joker-yw9hl]

The man, the myth, the legend

[@mrmeg01]

What a nice fella

[@mikerinn6187]

Spectacular

[@nbell63]

Another corker. I appreciate finding real people behind the *Star* glamour. At the end, Astley's comment regarding co-writing - a generous, no 'big noting' description of professionals getting stuck in. Yeah, good! 😊

[@trendydelquendy]

Ooh 'ees nice innee! Lovely Rick.

[@Mark_Brooks]

Fold in a duet @Rob Brydon and you'll always be glad you did. Ask him to do it with you when he gets back from the US.

[@RealBesty]

Well, that 15 minutes just flew by!

[@the_trooper_72]

I didn't really care for Rick's music when I was growing up, one thing I can say though is he seems a real nice down to earth guy..!! 😎👌🏻💯

[@petarpredrag9987]

top quality sound production, very ear-pleasing

[@robinsmith5442]

Is it just me or does Rick look like he could be a Wahlburg cousin?

[@ElleElle7830]

This was such a pleasant conversation to listen in on. Rick’s right up there with Noel Gallagher when it comes to storytelling.

[@drumboarder1]

The way he looks at the meme made me a fan. Gotta love lame 80s music

[@dcworld1076]

how hasnt rick aged?

[@rayberezitzky8560]

How DARE you! { love it }

[@TheRickster.]

I bet Stock Aitken & Waterman cashes more on that song than Rick himself.

[@protocol6]

Rickrolls are related to the old "made you look" tricks like "Hey, you dropped your pocket." It's probably also related to jump scare videos. It used to be common to see videos with a click-bait title that made you want to watch them carefully (news, sports, kittens, whatever) and they maybe had something in the video that required you to pay close attention. Right at the critical moment, you'd get a scary monster flash on with a scream. Honestly, I prefer the Rickrolls. It's also much nicer than the more disgusting variants like goatse and the like. I would not recommend looking up that last one. In this case, ignorance is bliss.

[@guidologo]

Boomer me this.... it's still a good song

[@juliannechan7282]

Can't help wondering if he remembers the time when he was performing in a revolving restaurant, where Alan Davies came on his stage by accident coming out of the loo... 😂

[@codo862]

He got famous by rickrolled the world

[@jamesgibson1123]

The man that Robbie Williams could havr been

[@CUMBICA1970]

Sad thing is his songs were abominated by the pundits back in the days but teenage me loved it and still do (granted commercial pop songs hardly get any critical recognition.) But good news is they all die and later generation rewrites history haha. Heck even the Beatles couldn't escape the treatment as one NY Times review of the day trashed George Harrison's "Something" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" as 'mediocrity incarnated.'

[@forhealth5730]

Rob looking at Rick's hair like it's some magical being

[@MyNameIsBucket]

I'm gonna say it... I thought "Together Forever" was better.

[@MondayNightFriend]

I don't know what speaking voice I was expecting...but it wasn't Bob Mortimer's lol

[@dalriadaskillen]

He sounds nothing like Bob. Bob is from Middlesborough, which is North Yorkshire, and Rick is from the St Helen’s area of Lancashire. Look at a map and see where those towns are.

[@ThatCoalSoul]

Second.

[@daramaccarthy]

No coaster 🙄

[@deeestuary]

Rick Astley wasted his great voice on trivial pop songs.

[@njparkin5894]

Great interview!