# Specsavers: The Misheard Version

> Specsavers reported a 66% rise in hearing-test bookings after Astley sang wrong lyrics.

- Owner: Specsavers; Rick Astley (performer); Golin and Tangerine (agencies)
- Kind: Campaign
- Sector: Health & fitness
- Seed date: 2023-10-23
- Milestone date: Week of Oct 24, 2023
- Date basis: Documented milestone; not a measured attention peak. Dates use the stated precision; chart positions are date anchors.
- Spread Score: 28 (Niche, provisional), v1.2
- Mechanics: Mystery & lore, Platform jump, Press loop, Maker origin, Transgression

## Summary

Rick Astley posted a wrong-lyrics teaser before Specsavers revealed its hearing campaign. Reddit users discussed the changed lyrics, while press led with his first hearing aids. Golin reported a 66% increase in hearing-test bookings; the campaign later won two Cannes Grands Prix.

## Timeline

- 2023-10-23 — Rick Astley (X) — Rick Astley posted the altered-song teaser with an advertising disclosure on X.
- 2023-10-23 — u/parishiltonsfemur / r/popculturechat (Reddit) — A Reddit user reposted Astley’s TikTok teaser, and commenters discussed confusion over its changed lyrics.
- 2023-10-23 — The Standard / Press Association (Press) — The Standard led with Astley’s disclosure that he had been fitted with his first hearing aids.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/specsavers-misheard-version

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “Specsavers: The Misheard Version.” Case HIS-00374. Spread Score v1.2: 28/100. Updated 2026-10-13. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-00374