Have you ever been rick-rolled?
Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” has over 130 million views on Youtube and there are countless links that lead to other versions of his 1987 hit, so statistically speaking, you probably have. A friend sends you a link in an email, and you say, “hmm…this looks interesting,” only to click it and find a deep-voiced 20-something wearing denim on denim and dancing like your Dad at a barbecue. Yeah, the prank is internet gold. It’s everything we love to hate about the 80’s.
But how much has Rick Astley made from Rickrolling?
The video has been shared over and over racking up views from your computer and a million others. Surely, Rick Astley must be bringing in the big bucks with all those royalties, right?
Actually, as of 2010, Rick Astley has accumulated a hefty sum of…$12. According to Mental Floss, this is because Astley didn’t write the song. He only performed it, so he simply receives a performer’s share.
But he’s not salty.
Rick Astley seems like a pretty cool guy, though and doesn’t appear to be bothered by the lack of royalites. Astley said that he doesn’t plan on capitalizing on the internet phenomenon by making a remix, and his only concern is that the meme doesn’t embarrass his daughter. He encourages others to remix his hit, but said, “I think the artist themselves trying to remix it is almost a bit sad. No, I’m too old for that.” He was quoted saying the trend was “bizarre and funny,” but Astley hasn’t said much beyond that.
[Featured Image Credit: IsThisReallyMyLife.com]