Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorRick has rolled into YouTube’s billion-views club.The official video for the popster’s 1987 hit “Never Gonna Give You Up” — uploaded almost 12 years ago — surpassed 1 billion lifetime views on YouTube on Wednesday.The video has benefited from one of the earliest YouTube memes: “Rickrolling,” a prank in which someone shares a link promising one thing — but which, in fact, launches the red-headed Brit’s dance-pop iconic music video.
The indestructible Rickrolling meme has generated untold millions of views for Astley’s video: On April Fool’s Day 2021 alone, it topped 2.3 million views, according to YouTube.“Never Gonna Give You Up” is only the fourth music video from the 1980s to join YouTube’s Billion Views.
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