In “What year is this?” news, Rick Astley has a number one album – in his home country of England. The singer, now 50, just hit the charts with his comeback album, titled 50. Well, naming your album after your current age worked for Adele. Apparently, this tactic also proved successful for Rick.
You young whippersnappers may only know Rick from the internet phenomenon known as “Rickrolling,” where pranksters would tempt you to click a link only to be taken to a video for Rick’s 1987 hit “Never Gonna Give You Up” (still a damn catchy tune if you ask me). The prank garnered Rick over 70 million views of the song’s video on YouTube and led to a surprise appearance at the 2008 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. England’s Telegraph complied some fun facts about Rick that are worth a read. He was kind of a big deal.
The singer retired in 1993 to raise his daughter and now, 23 years later, Rick is back with a vengeance. The new album beat out Paul McCartney and popular British singer Tom Odell to take the top spot. The first single off of the album, “Keep Singing”, shows off Rick’s still soulful pipes, and the singer still has the youthful looks he rocked back in the 80s. Yes, I admit, I fangirled out a little when I saw this video. He’s still a cutie.
Rick, who thought the whole Rickrolling thing was “hilarious” is slightly surprised about the success of his comeback album. He recently told the Daily Mail, “It’s all a bit bonkers. I am not allowing myself to believe that it is all happening. This time last year, I would have laughed at the thought of being number one again. And I almost didn’t care whether it hit the top or not. Because it is just fantastic to be here.” Sadly, we US Rick fans will have to wait until October 7th to download the album, which is available for pre-order on iTunes.
I think it’s awesome that Rick is back. I always thought he was a great singer. I do like “You Move Me” better than “Give You Up,” but he was part of the soundtrack of my college years and I’m glad to see him again. With 80s classics like Ghostbusters coming back to the big screen – along with rumored remakes of Overboard, War Games and Police Academy, it’s kind of inevitable that we’re ready to welcome some of the decade’s more memorable voices back to the airwaves (or streaming services – I’m not that old).
Photo credit: Getty Images, WENN.com
What the what? Ok…. random if you ask me.
I first learned about him when he was featured as a character to unlock by collecting stuff (and he was a Mecha boss!) in a rock-themed event for the Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff game a while ago. I still have him running around my Quahog doing things, including dancing in the street. Plus a bunch of buildings offered in the game during the event with his song lyrics as their names… “Say Goodbye” Greeting Cards store, “Make You Cry” Therapy Center, “Give You Up” Consignment Shop… He did new voice clips for his character.
I looked him up on YouTube and actually liked the way he sang. I was surprised when I figured out how long ago the videos were made. There’s a certain timelessness to them, somehow.
He has a radio show over here (UK) on a station called Magic. He’s a real soul-boy and comes across as a lovely bloke.
I always support REAL singers. He has a great voice. I feel like at the beginning his voice was Bigger than he was.. He just looked to young for that voice.. Now he fits it.. and I really happy for him. Looking at some of the male singers.. It’s nice to see a MAN in there bringing it..
Like.
I always loved Rick and I’m actually all wiggly and squeely that he has new music!
His voice is fantastic.!
And he seems to have aged into his face finally, as well!
He looks really great, very handsome. Great voice too.
Ha! I was 13 when Rick hit it big. But I had cool older cousins that I liked to copy and who snotted all over the Stock Aitken Waterman phenomenon, so I never liked him.
This has made me remember Bros. My little friend at school was a Brosette and wore the Grolsch bottle tops in the shoes and everything.
Bros!!!
When will i be famous? I can’t answer, i can’t answer that!
Loved Bros.
I had a two year period when i abandoned ska and reaggea and gave into teeny bop before discovering stadium rock and the joys of pouting, big haired rockstars.
86, 87 were amazing years for throwawy teen pop.
…but i remain flummoxed that in all the look backs, revivals, nostalgia tours, videos, shows, Five star is never mentioned. The biggest pop act of 86/ 87 in Britain, and narry a mention anywhere. I know they collapsed under a weight of legal shenanigans, but enough to scrub them from history forever?!
Their lead singer appeared on the first season of the voice uk. Much squealing in my house.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x3gYZgADHNU
And the young Judge didn’t know who she was.
I mean, who can forget this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Sng4JWYn-o8
Do you remember the show that Pete Waterman did with Michaela Strachan? What was that called? I used to stay up and watch that… hang on… THE HIT MAN AND HER! He always looked er… wasted on the marching powder.
OMG yes. Hahahahaha
Just yesterday I was listening to the radio and remembering how my 80s childhood was dominated by reggae and ska, growing up in a beach town. Then everyone went to college and came back listening to a crazy variety of things, based on where they went. Doesn’t seem like there are the same regional pockets like that anymore (?).
A dozen years ago, I came home to find The English Beat playing in a park down the street to a crowd of maybe 40 people–couldn’t believe it!
Paul Young is another guy from that era who had a fabulous voice. He just recently put out another album, and it is my “car driving” music. He has had quite a sad life, but his music and voice is still great. There was something about the 80’s, I get quite misty when I think about it, the big hair, everything. Also, when will George Michael get off his lazy bum and put out more music? Another insanely talented chap. Freedom, and Faith, foreva!
Antipodean: we have a radiostation here called Magic FM which is always playing Paul Young and other 80s pop music.
A friend of mine went to school with the Bros brothers and had to sit between them to keep them quiet during class.
Ha!!
He’s looking better than ever!
You go, Rick!
As a die-hard 80s fan, I enlist “Never Gonna Give You Up” as a solid feature in my personal top50 from that period. Also, whenever the song plays in a club, you can be sure everyone will start screaming, jumping and dancing their as**s off ! It’s such a happy tune!
He looks good for his age!
He looks good PERIOD.
he’s a redhead right? I have this theory…that redheads don’t age lolz, look at Eric Stoltz, Gillian Anderson, julianne moore, jessica chastain…etc
@mp: As an almost 37 yr old redhead who is struggling with nearing 40, I absolutely LOVE your theory!
Or Redheads just stay out of the sun and take care of their skin obsessively…
Sweet story and he has a great voice.
Wow, good for him! I love that he found the Rickrolling thing funny, and I like the new song.
I saw him at Radio City Music Hall in NYC in 1989 (don’t judge me) and he put on a fantastic show. He was a very good live singer
My wave of nostalgia is complete. I can’t WAIT for this album to come out stateside.
Ha, this is a nice story. I about fell off the sofa laughing when he Rickrolled the Macy’s parade.
Same – I can’t believe that was eight years ago!
Good for him! He was a big deal in the late ’80s. His humility is refreshing.
Never Gonna Give You Up is in my rotation and I have no shame about that. Together Forever is another one. He voice is, velvet.
I have no shame either.
She Wants to Dance With Me is still my jam.
No shame here, either. I loved both of those songs then, and still dance in my living room to them now.
Cry for Help is also a good tune of his, not a dance one but good for moodier days.
Joining the chorus! He has a great voice and I’m glad he’s having a career resurgence.
Yay!
I happy for him. I still love Rick. He has a great voice still
Congratulations to team BMG Infectious, especially my wonderful partner, for working so hard on this record and getting it to number one. Amazing that its world news!
Thank your partner from this US fan. I’m pre-ordering the CD from iTunes after listening to this single. Loved him in the 80’s, love him now.
Wow he looks amazing!
This makes me happy
By the way, for some reason, for the last two days my comments have not shown up, which is why I’ve changed my name (from Snazzy to SnazzyisAlive), to see if it works …
EDIT: It works with the new name. Sorry CBers if I commented somehow that got me blocked!
For the Rick lovers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAhUy0MWjP8
I forgot how much I love “She wants to dance with me”.
LOL!!! I just posted that that that song is my jam!!! It’s such a good song!!
Omg. I thought that was Robin Thicke.
Anyway, I am so happy for Rick. How kick ass is it that he beat Sir Paul for the top spot?!
Still cuter than a bug’s ear!!
Good for him! I always liked his music. I had to hide his CD among the grunge and heavy metal CDs in my collection. Now that I’m old I can admit to liking him publicly. 🙂
Me too! I never minded being rickrolled… don’t think I’ll ever tire of his music.
Awesome!
he still has it!!! love it, thanks I am gonna pick this CD up.
I can admit I like him and Robbie what’s his name that sings “milleniummmmm”
I get teased by my friends but I don’t care.
Robbie Williams is extremely talented. I remember when he left Take That, the teens needed a support line. I think I will crank up Let Me Entertain You.
Fan—F**king- TASTIC!
This is a great song. The guy’s still got what it takes that’s for sure!
This is the best news I have read all month and I was salivating at the Tiddlewiffty debacle.
Just saw the Family Guy episode today where Brian sings his song at a dance!