Rick Astley makes candid admission about chart-topping single

More than 30 years ago, singer Rick Astley promised he was never going to give us up, let us down, or hurt us.

The 1987 hit "Never Going To Give You Up" was Astley's first solo-offering and saw stratospheric success. It spent five weeks at the top of the UK charts, was the year's highest selling single, and topped the charts in 24 other countries, including Australia.

The enduring success of the song today is due in part to the internet phenomenon called "Rickrolling", a prank where a hyperlink leads to Astley's original music video.

READ MORE: Josh Thomas reveals what still surprises him

Speaking to Today entertainment presenter Brooke Boney, Astley said that has opened the chart-topper up to a new audience.

But then he made a candid admission.

"When I was 27, I just stopped altogether everything. I remember it really vividly, I just had enough," he said.

"Probably for 15 years I didn't sing that song or any of the old tunes. I sang them a few times at friends' weddings but I never actually sang them professionally

"In a lot of ways I think that has done me a lot of good because it sort of taught me to appreciate them and appreciate that kind of crazy golden moment that I had."

The news that Astley had performed at weddings in the past got Brooke particularly excited.

"I'm glad to hear that you are available for weddings. If and when I get married, you can expect an invitation in the mail. You might have to sing for your supper," she joked.

Astley said Brooke "was on".

You can watch Brooke's interview with Rick Astley at the top of the page.

Nine (the publisher of this website) owns and operates the streaming service Stan.

Join the Today show family and give yourself the chance to win great prizes by signing up to our weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox every Wednesday with a special message from Karl and Ally. You can sign up for free here.