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Riptide

Chords

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Riptide: Vance Joy
Chords arranged by: S201070110
Chords you must know
Em D G Am
* = (hold for 4 seconds)
[Intro]
  Em     D   G(2x)
[Verse]
EmI was scared Dof dentists anGd the dark
EmI was scared Dof pretty girlGs and starting conversations
EmOh, all my frDiends are turniGng green
EmYou're the mDagician's assisGtant in their dreams
Emuhoo ooDoo  oGooo,
Emuhoo  Doo,
    G*
and they come unstuck
[Chorus]
EmLady, running Ddown to Gthe riptide
Taken away to the Emdark side
I Dwanna be your Gleft hand man
I lEmove you when Dyou're singing that sGong and
I got a lump in my tEmhroat cause
You'Dre gonna sing the woGrds wrong
[Verse]
TEmhere's this moviDe that I think yoGu'll like
ThEmis guy decides Dto quit his job aGnd heads to New York City
ThEmis cowboy's ruDnning fGrom himself
AEmnd she's been livDing on the hiGghest shelf
Emuhoo ooDoo  oGooo,
Emuhoo  Doo,
 G*
and they come unstuck
[Chorus]
LaEmdy, running Ddown to Gthe riptide
Taken away to the Emdark side
I Dwanna be your lGeft hand man
I lEmove you when yDou're singing that sGong and
I got a lump in my tEmhroat cause
You'Dre gonna sing the woGrds wrong
[Verse]
EmI just wanna, I just wanna knowD  
EmIf you're gonna, if you're gonna staAmy
EmI just gotta, I just gotta knowD  
                              Em               Am  G*
I can't have it, I can't have it any other way
Em*             D*           G*
I swear she's destined for the screen
Em*                 D*             G*                 G*
Closest thing to Michelle Pfeiffer that you've ever seen, oh
[Chorus] 
EmLady, Drunning down to the Griptide
Taken away to the Emdark side
DI wanna be your Gleft hand man
I Emlove you Dwhen you're singing that Gsong and
I got a lump in my tEmhroat cause
DYou're gonna sing the wGords wrong
EmLady, Drunning down to the Griptide
Taken away to the Emdark side
DI wanna be your Gleft hand man
I Emlove you Dwhen you're singing that Gsong and
I got a lump in my tEmhroat cause
DYou're gonna sing the wGords wrong
EmLady, Drunning down to the Griptide
Taken away to the Emdark side
DI wanna be your Gleft hand man
I Emlove you Dwhen you're singing that Gsong and
I got a lump in my tEmhroat cause
DYou're gonna sing the words Gwrong
I got a lump in my tEmhroat cause
DYou're gonna sing the wGords wrong

The story behind the song

"Riptide" is an upbeat song written and produced by Vance Joy, along with Edwin White. Lyrically, it's been described as a "coming of age love story" filled with metaphors and pop culture references. The song first appeared on Joy's debut EP, God Loves You When You're Dancing, in 2013, and was later featured on his debut studio album, Dream Your Life Away. Critics praised its lyrics, vocals, and production.

AI-written from these sources:Riptide (Vance Joy song) — Wikipedia ↗Vance Joy — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

🎸 Tips from players

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Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Riptide

by Vance Joy

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Riptide: Vance Joy

Chords arranged by: S201070110

Chords you must know

Em D G Am

* = (hold for 4 seconds)

[Intro]

Em D G

(2x)

[Verse]

Em D G

I was scared of dentists and the dark

Em D G

I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations

Em D G

Oh, all my friends are turning green

Em D G

You're the magician's assistant in their dreams

Em D G

uhoo oooo oooo,

Em D

uhoo oo,

and they come unstuck

[Chorus]

Em D G

Lady, running down to the riptide

Taken away to the dark side

D G

I wanna be your left hand man

Em D G

I love you when you're singing that song and

I got a lump in my throat cause

D G

You're gonna sing the words wrong

[Verse]

Em D G

There's this movie that I think you'll like

Em D G

This guy decides to quit his job and heads to New York City

Em D G

This cowboy's running from himself

Em D G

And she's been living on the highest shelf

Em D G

uhoo oooo oooo,

Em D

uhoo oo,

and they come unstuck

[Chorus]

Em D G

Lady, running down to the riptide

Taken away to the dark side

D G

I wanna be your left hand man

Em D G

I love you when you're singing that song and

I got a lump in my throat cause

D G

You're gonna sing the words wrong

[Verse]

Em D

I just wanna, I just wanna know

Em Am

If you're gonna, if you're gonna stay

Em D

I just gotta, I just gotta know

Em Am G

I can't have it, I can't have it any other way

Em D G

* * *

I swear she's destined for the screen

Em D G G

* * * *

Closest thing to Michelle Pfeiffer that you've ever seen, oh

[Chorus]

Em D G

Lady, running down to the riptide

Taken away to the dark side

D G

I wanna be your left hand man

Em D G

I love you when you're singing that song and

I got a lump in my throat cause

D G

You're gonna sing the words wrong

Em D G

Lady, running down to the riptide

Taken away to the dark side

D G

I wanna be your left hand man

Em D G

I love you when you're singing that song and

I got a lump in my throat cause

D G

You're gonna sing the words wrong

Em D G

Lady, running down to the riptide

Taken away to the dark side

D G

I wanna be your left hand man

Em D G

I love you when you're singing that song and

I got a lump in my throat cause

D G

You're gonna sing the words wrong

I got a lump in my throat cause

D G

You're gonna sing the words wrong

About Riptide Chords by Vance Joy

Learn how to play Riptide by Vance Joy with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Riptide chords”, “Riptide guitar chords”, or “Vance Joy Riptide chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Riptide chords and for experienced players who want accurate Riptide lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, D, G, Am.

FAQ — Riptide by Vance Joy

How do I play "Riptide" by Vance Joy on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Riptide" by Vance Joy on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Riptide" by Vance Joy free?

Yes. The chords for "Riptide" by Vance Joy are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Riptide" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Riptide" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Riptide"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Riptide" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Riptide" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Riptide" by Vance Joy with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Vance Joy below.

What key is "Riptide" in?

The chords for "Riptide" show the original chord names (including Em, D, G, Am). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.