Rick Astley, “Never Gonna Give You Up” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 110^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Never Gonna Give You Up”  by Rick Astley. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! In the 110^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Never Gonna Give You Up”, performed by 🎙 Rick Astley.

Theme & Lyrics ✍

“Never gonna give you up / Never gonna let you down / Never gonna run around and desert you.” Aww, how sweet and dedicated of you, 🎙 Rick Astley.  Honestly, when it comes to the 1987 pop classic, 🎵 “Never Gonna Give You Up”, little analysis or explanation is necessary. “Never Gonna Give You Up” was massively successful, peaking at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. as well as in multiple countries throughout the world.  To date, the RIAA has certified the single as quintuple platinum, while its parent album, 💿 Whenever You Need Somebody, is double platinum in its own right.  Face it, this is one of those quintessential 80s songs that never grow old, still resonating to this day.

So, what makes “Never Gonna Give You Up” so iconic? The production, in all its exuberance, is a huge selling point.  It’s incredibly groovy and those keys (synths) pop, including synthesized strings.  Also, supporting Astley’s warm lead vocals are inspired background vocals, which give this record more oomph – more punch.  Does Astley’s performance feel cheesy and dare I say, schmaltzy? Of course, it does! It’s not helped by seeing the compelling music video 🎶📼, which incited rickrolling (it’s the dancing for sure, y’all).  Also, while Astley, who was 21 at the time, was a handsome young man, he also comes off as dorky – no disrespect. 

Final Thoughts 💭 

The lyrics in 🎵 “Never Gonna Give You Up” do matter, but the big takeaway is that Rick is going to remain dedicated to you FOREVER, it seems.  Honestly, doesn’t it seem like “Never Gonna Give You Up” is the type of song that will last forever?  Food for thought while considering this Rick Astley classic! 

🎙 Rick Astley • 💿 Whenever You Need Somebody • 🏷 BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited • 📅 1987

 Rick Astley, “Never Gonna Give You Up”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 110 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash,  The Musical Hype]