Rick Astley discography explained

Artist:Rick Astley
Studio:9
Compilation:12
Singles:24
Option Name:Remix albums
Option:2

The discography of English singer and songwriter Rick Astley consists of nine studio albums, five compilation albums, two remix albums, and twenty-four singles.

His debut studio album, Whenever You Need Somebody, was released in November 1987. It peaked at number 1 on the UK Albums Chart and number 10 on the US Billboard 200. Astley became a global pop sensation in 1987 with his debut single "Never Gonna Give You Up" written by the trio Stock Aitken Waterman. The song was at number one on the UK Singles Chart for five weeks, becoming the year's highest-selling single. The song was also a worldwide number one hit, topping the charts in 24 other countries, including the US, Australia, and Germany. "Whenever You Need Somebody" was released as the second single from the album in October 1987. The single was a recycled Stock, Aitken, Waterman song, originally recorded by O'Chi Brown in 1985. It became a successful European hit, reaching number 1 in seven countries, including Germany and Sweden, following up the success of his debut single. It also reached Number 3 in the UK. In December 1987, Astley released a cover version of the Nat King Cole classic "When I Fall in Love". This single is mainly remembered for a closely fought contest for UK Christmas Number 1. Astley's fourth single release would be "Together Forever" in 1988, reaching Number 2 in the UK. It was denied the top spot by Kylie Minogue's debut "I Should Be So Lucky". The song was more successful in the US, reaching number 1, making it his second US chart topper. His fifth and final release from his debut album was "It Would Take a Strong Strong Man". It was a more soulful song when compared to his other releases and was mainly intended for the North American market. It was another hit for Astley reaching Number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Number 1 in Canada.

His second studio album, Hold Me in Your Arms, was released in November 1988. It peaked at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart and number 19 on the US Billboard 200. The lead single, "She Wants to Dance with Me" was Astley's first single which he wrote himself and became a worldwide top 10 hit. In Europe, "Take Me to Your Heart" and "Hold Me in Your Arms" were released as the next singles. "Giving Up on Love" was released as the second single off the album in the US and Canada and was later released in some countries of continental Europe as the fourth and last single off the album and a cover of The Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" was released as the third and last single in the US and Japan.

His third studio album, Free, was released in March 1991. It peaked at number 9 on the UK Albums Chart and number 31 on the US Billboard 200. It was his first album not to be produced by the noted production team of Stock Aitken Waterman. It gave Astley another hit single in the ballad "Cry for Help" which became a Top 10 in both the UK and US. Further singles "Move Right Out" and "Never Knew Love" were less successful.

His fourth studio album, Body & Soul, was released in September 1993. It peaked at number 185 on the US Billboard 200. Two singles were released from the album "The Ones You Love" and "Hopelessly". After this album, Astley left the music business behind for several years and released no new material until 2001. It is estimated that by retirement at the end of 1993 Rick Astley had sold approximately 40 million records.

His fifth studio album, Keep It Turned On, was released in December 2001. The album peaked at number 56 on the German Albums Chart. Two singles were released from the album "Sleeping" and "Keep It Turned On". "Sleeping" peaked at No. 60 in Germany and No. 69 in Switzerland.

His sixth studio album, Portrait, was released in October 2005. The album peaked at number 26 on the UK Albums Chart. His first album to chart in the UK since Free in 1991. My Red Book, was planned to be released in January 2013. This unreleased album contains tracks such as "Lights Out", "Superman" and "Goodbye But Not the End". "Let It Rain" and "I Like the Sun" appear on his album 50. "Lights Out" was released in 2010, his first single released in the UK for almost 17 years.

His seventh studio album, 50, was released in June 2016. The album peaked at number 1 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Astley's first number-one album since his 1987 debut album, Whenever You Need Somebody. "Keep Singing" was released as the lead single from the album on 6 April 2016, peaking to number 127 on the UK Singles Chart. "Angels on My Side" was released as the second single from the album on 13 May 2016.

His eighth studio album, Beautiful Life, was released in July 2018. The album peaked at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Astley's fifth top ten album in the United Kingdom. The album includes the singles "Beautiful Life" and "Empty Heart".

His greatest hits album, The Best of Me, was released in October 2019. The first compilation to be compiled by Astley, it features hit singles and album tracks throughout Astley's career. The deluxe version of the album includes a second disc which features several pianoforte versions of the singles featured on the first disc. A pianoforte version of "Never Gonna Give You Up" is included on the first disc.

His most recent studio album Are We There Yet? was released in 2023.

Albums

Studio albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
(sales threshold)
UK
[1]
AUS
[2]
AUT
[3]
CAN
[4]
GER
[5]
NL
[6]
NZ
[7]
SWE
[8]
SWI
[9]
US
[10]
Whenever You Need Somebody
  • Release date: 16 November 1987
  • Label: RCA
  • Formats: Cassette, CD, LP
1 1 3 2 1 2 3 2 2 10
Hold Me in Your Arms
  • Release date: 26 November 1988
  • Label: RCA
  • Formats: Cassette, CD, LP
8 19 30 3 3 42 28 7 11 19
  • CAN: 2× Platinum
  • UK: Platinum
  • US: Gold
  • AU: Platinum[15]
Free
  • Release date: 12 March 1991
  • Label: RCA
  • Formats: Cassette, CD, LP
9 20 24 17 8 23 16 26 31
  • UK: Gold
Body & Soul
  • Release date: 28 September 1993
  • Label: RCA
  • Formats: Cassette, CD
185
Keep It Turned On
  • Release date: 3 December 2001
  • Label: Cruz Music/Polydor
  • Formats: CD, LP
56
Portrait 26
50
  • Release date: 10 June 2016[16]
  • Label: BMG
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP
1 41 21 65 44
  • UK: Platinum
Beautiful Life
  • Release date: 13 July 2018
  • Label: BMG
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP, cassette
6 70 40 44
  • UK: Silver
Are We There Yet?
  • Release date: 13 October 2023[17]
  • Label: BMG
  • Formats: CD, digital download, LP, cassette
2 29
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
(sales threshold)
UK
AUS
GER
SPA
[18]
Together Forever – Greatest Hits and More...
  • Release date: 2000 (Taiwan)
  • Label: RCA
Greatest Hits
  • Release date: 19 March 2002 (US)
    28 August 2002 (EU)
  • Label: BMG
16
  • UK: Gold
The Best of Rick Astley – Never Gonna Give You Up
  • Release date: 11 March 2003
  • Label: BMG
Love Songs
  • Release date: February 2004
  • Label: BMG
The Platinum and Gold Collection – Rick Astley
  • Release date: 9 March 2004
  • Label: Arista
Artist Collection: Rick Astley
  • Release date: 12 October 2004
  • Label: BMG
Collections
Together Forever – The Best of Rick Astley
  • Release date: 16 July 2007 (UK)
  • Label: Music Club
Ultimate Collection
  • Release date: 28 April 2008 (EU)
  • Label: Sony BMG
17
Playlist: The Very Best of Rick Astley
  • Release date: 17 June 2008 (US)
  • Label: Sony BMG
The Best Of
  • Release date: 6 October 2014
  • Label: Camden, Sony Music
Greatest Hits
  • Release date: 5 November 2014 (Japan)
  • Label: RCA
The Best of Me
  • Release date: 25 October 2019
  • Label: BMG
4 175 76 25
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Remix albums

TitleDetails
Dance Mixes
  • Release date: 1990
  • Re-release: July 2007
  • Label: RCA
12" Collection
  • Release date: 1999
  • Re-release: 2006
  • Label: BMG

Unreleased albums

Singles

As lead artist

TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
UK
AUS
BEL
[20]
CAN
[21]
GER
IRE
[22]
NL
NZ
SWE
SWI
US
[23]
"Never Gonna Give You Up"19871 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 Whenever You Need Somebody
"Whenever You Need Somebody"3 3 2 1 3 2 9 1 1
"When I Fall in Love" / "My Arms Keep Missing You"2 5 1 6 2 3 25 12 14
  • UK: Silver
"Together Forever"19882 19 2 1 5 1 12 10 14 1
  • CAN: Gold
"It Would Take a Strong Strong Man"1 10
"She Wants to Dance with Me"6 15 3 1 10 4 8 10 12 12 6Hold Me in Your Arms
"Take Me to Your Heart"8 41 11 10 5 11 43 10 16
"Hold Me in Your Arms"198910 77 25 32 7 35
"Giving Up on Love"45 38
"Ain't Too Proud to Beg"89
"Cry for Help"19917 13 5 4 14 9 11 17 7Free
"Move Right Out"58 110 36 52 66 81
"Never Knew Love"70 42
"The Ones You Love"199348 132 54 54 Body & Soul
"Hopelessly"33 8 28
"Sleeping"200160 69 Keep It Turned On
"Lights Out"201097 rowspan="3"
"Superman"2012
"Goodbye But Not The End"2013
"Keep Singing"2016127 75 50
"Angels on My Side"
"Dance"
"Beautiful Life"201869 Beautiful Life
"Empty Heart"
"Try"
"She Makes Me"
"Giant"2019
"Every One of Us"77 The Best of Me
"Love This Christmas"2020rowspan="2"
"Unwanted"2021
"Dippin My Feet"2023Are We There Yet?
"Never Gonna Stop"
"Forever and More"
"Driving Me Crazy"
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
UK
AUS
BEL
GER
IRE
NL
NZ
SWE
SWI
"When You Gonna"
198720 17 Greatest Hits
"Let It Be"
1 28 3 3 2 4 4 9 1
"Learning to Live (Without Your Love)"
O'chi
"Winter Wonderland"
2013Wilde Winter Songbook
"Will o' the Wisp ft. Rick Astley" [3-track EP]
2021rowspan="2"
"Bring Back the Time"
2022
"Owner of a Lonely Heart"
2023
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Promotional singles

TitleYearAlbum
"Wonderful You"1991Free
"Keep It Turned On"2002Keep It Turned On
"Vincent"2005Portrait
"Pray with Me"201650

Notes

Notes and References

  1. Peak positions in the United Kingdom:
  2. Peak positions in Australia:
  3. Web site: Discographie Rick Astley. Austrian Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  4. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Rick Astley|chart=Canadian Albums}} Rick Astley – Chart History: Canadian Albums]. Billboard.
  5. Peak positions in Germany:
  6. Peak positions in the Netherlands:
  7. Peak positions in New Zealand:
  8. Peak positions in Sweden:
  9. Peak positions in Switzerland:
  10. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Rick Astley|chart=Billboard 200}} Rick Astley – Chart History: Billboard 200]. Billboard.
  11. Web site: Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Gold & Platinum . . 27 June 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110511120126/http://www.cria.ca/goldplat.php . 11 May 2011 .
  12. Web site: BPI Searchable Database . . 27 June 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090924015932/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/Search.aspx . 24 September 2009 .
  13. Web site: RIAA – Recording Industry Association of America – Searchable Database. Recording Industry Association of America. 27 June 2011.
  14. Web site: 1988 ARIA Albums Chart. Australian Record Industry Association. 29 January 2018.
  15. Web site: The ARIA Australian Top 100 Albums Chart – 1989 (61–100) (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 1). ARIA. Imgur.com. 15 December 2016.
  16. News: Fitzpatrick . Katie . Rick Astley will perform and sign copies of his new album at HMV Manchester . 2 June 2016 . men . 31 May 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160602042810/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/rick-astley-hmv-manchester-signing--11409007 . 2 June 2016 .
  17. Benitez-Eves . Tina . Rick Astley Reveals Upcoming Album Are We There Yet? . . 20 June 2023 . 20 June 2023.
  18. Web site: Discography Rick Astley (Albums). Spanish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
  19. Web site: limited . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/59520506051/329631913802741 . 2022-04-30. Rick Astley on Facebook . Facebook.
  20. Peak positions in Belgium:
  21. Peak positions for songs in Canada:
    • For all except noted: [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Rick Astley|chart=Billboard Canadian Hot 100}} Rick Astley – Chart history – Billboard Canadian Hot 100]. Billboard.
    • For "Can You Feel the Love Tonight": [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Elton John|chart=Billboard Canadian Hot 100}} Elton John – Chart history – Billboard Canadian Hot 100]. Billboard.
  22. Peak positions in Ireland:
  23. Peak positions for songs in the United States:
    • For all except noted: [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Rick Astley|chart=Hot 100}} Rick Astley – Chart History: Hot 100]. Billboard.
    • For "Can You Feel the Love Tonight": [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Elton John|chart=Hot 100}} Elton John – Chart History: Hot 100]. Billboard.
  24. "Web site: Certified Awards . 18 July 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140209224203/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx . 9 February 2014 . ". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 9 November 2014. Note: User needs to enter "Rick Astley" in the "Search" field, "Artist" in the "Search by" field and click the "Go" button. Select "More info" next to the relevant entry to see full certification history.
  25. Web site: 1988 ARIA Singles Chart . Australian Recording Industry Association.
  26. Web site: Canada Certifications . Music Canada.
  27. Germany. Rick Astley. 2014-11-09.
  28. Web site: Swedish Certifications . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120521214300/http://www.ifpi.se/wp-content/uploads/guld-platina-1987-1998.pdf . 21 May 2012 .
  29. Web site: riaa.com Certifications . Recording Industry Association of America.