Astley became a pop sensation in 1987 with his debut single "Never Gonna Give You Up" written by the trio Stock Aitken Waterman.

The single was a recycled Stock, Aitken, Waterman song, originally recorded by O'Chi Brown in 1985.

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.

Astley's second studio album, Hold Me in Your Arms, was modesty successful when compared to its predecessor.

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).

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.

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".

Astley's fourth studio album, Body & Soul, was released in September 1993.

After this album, Astley left the music business for several years and released no new material until 2001.

Astley's sixth studio album, Portrait, was released in October 2005.

This unreleased album contains songs such as "Lights Out", "Superman" and "Goodbye But Not the End".