I was unironically watching the music video for ‘never gonna give you up’ for the 487th time when I suddenly realized rick astley looks baby-faced to me. I just found out rick astley was only 21 years old when this video was released. I surpassed 1987 rick astley in age three years ago. I used to perceive him as a grown man and now he is a fetus. is this what growing up is? ‘87 rick astley remaining frozen in time, giving the illusion of a benjamin-button like regression when in reality it is just me who is marching forward?
one day young rick astley will be like a son to me. eventually a grandchild. he has sworn to never give me up, but time, cruel master that it is, has forced me to let him down. to desert the image of the wise, crooning adult, full of promise and soulful ambition. for I was 21 once, and still I age, and I cannot say I have ever maintained that same firm confidence. his voice cuts through time and space, an ever-hopeful anthem, while my own hope shifts and my dreams flee from before me. it is almost enough to make me cry.
but I cannot bring myself to say goodbye. not yet.
sing on, ‘87 rick astley. sing on, and let me lie to myself for just a little longer.
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