Rick Astley discography

The discography of English singer and songwriter Rick Astley consists of nine studio albums, five compilation albums, two remix albums, twenty-four singles, two video albums and 34 music videos. Astley attained five Top-10 US hits and eight Top-10 UK hits.

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 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 hit, hitting number one in twenty-four other countries, including the US, Australia, and Germany, and the top ten in several other countries. "Whenever You Need Somebody" was released as the second single (although not released in North America) from the album in October 1987. The single was a recycled Stock, Aitken, Waterman song, originally recorded by O'Chi Brown in 1985. It reached number one in seven countries, including Germany and Sweden. It also reached Number 3 in the UK. In December 1987, Astley's record label released a cover version of the Nat King Cole classic "When I Fall in Love" as the third single. This single was also not released in North America. The song reached the top ten or top twenty in various European countries single. Astley's fourth single release (and second North American single) 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 also successful in the US, reaching number 1, making it his second US chart topper. The next single, "It Would Take a Strong Strong Man", would have a North American release but not a European release. The song reached number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 in Canada. The album has been certified 2× platinum in the US and 4× platinum in the UK.

Astley's second studio album, Hold Me in Your Arms, was modesty successful when compared to its predecessor. Released in November 1988, it has since been certified gold in the US and platinum in the UK. The album peaked at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart (scoring three top ten singles there) and number 19 on the US Billboard 200 (scoring one top ten single). The lead single, "She Wants to Dance with Me" became a hit, reaching the top ten or top twenty in various countries worldwide. In Europe, "Take Me to Your Heart" and "Hold Me in Your Arms" were released as the second and third singles, respectively. "Giving Up on Love" was released as the second single in the US, reaching #38. It was later released in some countries in Europe as the fourth and final single off. A cover of The Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" was released as the third and last single in the US and Japan, becoming a minor US hit, peaking at #89.

Astley's 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. The album featured one single that became a top ten hit in the US and the UK, "Cry for Help". Two additional singles, "Move Right Out" and "Never Knew Love" were less successful.

Astley's fourth studio album, Body & Soul, was released in September 1993. It peaked at number 185 on the US Billboard 200 but failed to chart in the UK. Two singles were released from the album, "The Ones You Love" and "Hopelessly", however, both singles failed to reach the top twenty in the US or UK. After this album, Astley left the music business for several years and released no new material until 2001.

His fifth studio album, Keep It Turned On, was released in December 2001. The album did not chart on most major music charts internationally, but 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.

Astley's sixth studio album, Portrait, was released in October 2005. The album peaked at number 26 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming his first album to chart in the UK since Free in 1991. Another album, My Red Book, was planned to be released in January 2013. This unreleased album contains songs 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.