Riptide

Vance Joy

About Riptide

"Riptide" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy. It was first released as a track on his debut EP God Loves You When You're Dancing (2013), serving as its second single, and is also featured on his debut studio album Dream Your Life Away (2014). The song was written by Joy, who also produced it with drummer Edwin White. The upbeat indie folk song has been lyrically described as a "coming of age love story" and is known for its metaphors and pop culture references. The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its lyrics, vocals and production and drew comparisons to singer-songwriters Paul Kelly and Jeff Buckley. "Riptide" would go on to have commercial success in Australia, peaking at number six on the ARIA singles chart and subsequently being named the number one song in radio station Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2013. The following year, "Riptide" also peaked at number ten in the United Kingdom and entered Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, peaking at number 1. By May 2015, it was the second longest charting single still in the US Billboard Hot 100, appearing on that list for 43 weeks (at number 42 from its peak of number 30). In May 2015, it was announced that "Riptide" had become the longest-charting song in ARIA Chart history, having remained in the top 100 for 107 weeks and counting. It surpassed the previous record of 106 weeks, held by "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga. In January 2016, the week count was at 120. As of January 2018, the single has worldwide sales over 6,000,000. In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Riptide" was ranked number 94. 


Year:
2019
3:24
2,799 
#1

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I was scared of dentists and the dark
I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations
Oh, all my friends are turning green
You're the magician's assistant in their dreams

Oh
Oh and they come unstuck

Lady, running down to the riptide
Taken away to the dark side
I wanna be your left hand man
I love you when you're singing that song and
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
You're gonna sing the words wrong

Is this movie that I think you'll like
This guy decides to quit his job and heads to New York City
This cowboy's running from himself
And she's been living on the highest shelf

Oh
Oh and they come unstuck

Lady, running down to the riptide
Taken away to the dark side
I wanna be your left hand man
I love you when you're singing that song and
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
You're gonna sing the words wrong

I just wanna, I just wanna know
If you're gonna, if you're gonna stay
I just gotta, I just gotta know
I can't have it, I can't have it any other way
I swear she's destined for the screen
Closest thing to Michelle Pfeiffer that you've ever seen, oh

Lady, running down to the riptide
Taken away to the dark side
I wanna be your left hand man
I love you when you're singing that song and
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
You're gonna sing the words wrong

Oh lady, running down to the riptide
Taken away to the dark side
I wanna be your left hand man
I love you when you're singing that song and
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
You're gonna sing the words wrong

Oh lady, running down to the riptide
Taken away to the dark side
I wanna be your left hand man
I love you when you're singing that song and
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
You're gonna sing the words wrong
I got a lump in my throat because you're gonna sing the words wrong

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Vance Joy

James Keogh is an Australian singer-songwriter born in Melbourne. Vance Joy has signed a five-album deal with Atlantic Records. He has a arts/law degree from Monash University. more »

9 fans

Written by: James Keogh

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist Information
"Riptide" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy, whose real name is James Keogh.
Release Details
The song was first released as a track on his debut EP "God Loves You When You're Dancing" in 2013, before being re-released in 2014 as the third single from his debut studio album, "Dream Your Life Away."
Chart Performance
"Riptide" became a major success and peaked at number 6 in Australia and has received multi-platinum certifications in several countries, including Australia, Sweden, Italy, and the United States.
Song Composition
The song is known for its use of the ukulele in its arrangement, and its memorable lyrics. It is played in standard tuning with a capo on the first fret, and it follows a repeating chord progression.
Popular Use
'Riptide' was also used in a commercial for GoPro in 2013.
Awards and Recognition
In 2013, "Riptide" won the Grand Prize in the International Songwriting Competition, the world's largest, with a panel of industry judges.
Record Setting
The song had a 120-week streak in the ARIA Singles Chart top 100, which is still the longest top 100 presence in the chart's history.
Lyric Inspiration
Vance Joy has said in interviews that the song was inspired by memories of his childhood and was written over a period of several years.
Cultural Impact
In popular culture, the song has been featured in several films and TV shows, including an episode of "Grey's Anatomy."
Music Video
The iconic music video for 'Riptide', directed by Laura Gorun, won Best Video at the 2013 J Awards.

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    "Riptide Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 16 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/36111168/Vance+Joy/Riptide>.

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    Riptide

    355.9M
    2M     61,656

    Top Hot 100 Songs 2015

    Billboard #30


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