Rick Astley

Released: November 16, 1987

Songwriter: Mike Stock Matt Aitken Pete Waterman

Producer: Mike Stock Matt Aitken Pete Waterman

My heart starts breaking
When I think of making
A plan to let you go
I keep thinking maybe tomorrow
I'm gonna let you know
But I when I think about leaving
I think about losing
The only love I ever knew
Every time I think of you

My heart starts aching
My hands keep shaking
And you know, you know, you know

It would take a strong, strong man
To ever let you go (to ever let you go)
To ever let you go

My heart's been hurting
When I see you flirting
Every night out on the floor
I keep thinking maybe tomorrow
You'll grow to love me more
But whenever we're together
I could leave you never
Even though you treat me cruel
Every time I look at you

My heart starts aching
My hands keep shaking
And you know, you know, you know
It would take a strong, strong man
To ever let you go (to ever let you go)
To ever let you go

I tried to resist you
When you're gone, all I ever do is miss you
Anyone in love would know
Anyone with half a heart
Could never let you go

But I, when I think about leaving
I think about losing
The only girl I ever loved
Can't you tell me why do you hurt me
I guess some people never see
Especially a fool like me

My heart starts aching
My hands keep shaking
And you know, you know, you know
It would take a strong, strong man
To ever let you go (to ever let you go)
To ever let you go

To ever let you go
I'll never let you go
(To ever let you go)

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.

more tracks from the album

The Best of Me

From the albums

Whenever You Need Somebody (1987)
The Best of Me (2019)

Rick Astley popular songs

It Would Take a Strong Strong ManRick Astley

Rick Astley

The Best of Me