Rick Astley

Released: June 10, 2016

Songwriter: Rick Astley

Producer: Rick Astley

[Verse 1]
Reaching for my crossbow
I patiently take aim
I've got you in the crosshair
Never gonna hurt me or anybody else again

[Chorus 1]
Yes, you rule the world for now
You do
Yes, you rule the world for now
Yes, you rule the world
You and all your money
Yes, you rule the world for now

[Chorus 2]
I'm starting with you
And then I'll tear the room
To pieces, to pieces
I'm starting with you
Then I'll tear the room to pieces
To pieces, to pieces

[Verse 2]
Prowling through the city
I need someone to blame
Tomorrow's headline news
You'll all know my name

[Chorus 1]
Yes, you rule the world for now
You do
Yes, you rule the world for now
Yes, you rule the world
You and all your money
Yes, you rule the world for now

[Chorus 2]
I'm starting with you
And then I'll tear the room
To pieces, to pieces
I'm starting with you
Then I'll tear the room
To pieces, to pieces

[Bridge]
I'll put away my crossbow
So empty all your guns
Maybe there's another way
To get things done

[Chorus 3]
Yes, they rule the world for now
They do
Yes, they rule the world for now
But we can take the air
They can keep their money
Yes, we rule the world for now
If we choose to

[Chorus 4]
I'm starting with you
And then we'll find a place
Where peace is, where peace is
I'm starting with you
And then I'll build a place
Where peace is, where peace is
I'll find a place where peace is

Richard Paul Astley is a British entertainer, most known for his 1987 sensation “Never Gonna Give You Up” which was the subject of rick-rolling. He recieved a Brit Award for Best Single in 1988 for his hit and a “Best Act Ever” Award at the 2008 MTV EMAs upon its re-emergence into popularity.

Born in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire on February 6, 1966, Astley’s first taste of music came at the age of 10 and he became known as a drummer throughout school before dropping out at age 16. He played for a local live act entitled “FBI” (with future Conservative Party politician David Morris as guitarist) that gained popularity around London. Astley, a huge admirer of Nat King Cole soon moved to lead vocalist by the time the group garnered the interest of Pete Waterman, a record executive and 1/3 of the Scott-Aitken-Waterman production trio. Waterman hired a 19 year-old Astley as a gofer (assistant) and Morris as a songwriter at his PWL (Pete Waterman, Limited) Studios. He used this time to pull Astley out of his ‘shyness’ and secured them both a contract with RCA Records.

“When You Gonna” with fellow PWL protégé Lisa Carter was his debut release, but it found little success and received no promotion; it was Lisa’s only official output. His first solo release, “Never Gonna Give You Up”, was dropped on July 28, 1987, and turned Astley into an international star. It topped 24 different charts and moved nearly 2 Million copies. Astley’s debut album Whenever You Need Somebody found similar success – it collected Gold or Platinum certifications in 10 different regions, including Platinum 4x in the United Kingdom.

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50 (2016)

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Rick Astley

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