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

Ah-ooh
Ah-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

Here's 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

Ah-ooh
Ah-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 and
I got a lump in my throat 'cause you're gonna sing the words wrong

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Vance Joy's "Riptide" describe the singer's fears and anxieties, as well as his feelings for a woman he loves. He confesses that he has been scared of various things, including dentists, the dark, pretty girls, and starting conversations. He notes that his friends are envious of the woman he loves, seeing her as a magician's assistant in their dreams.

The woman in question is depicted as a "lady" who runs down to the riptide and is taken away to the "dark side." The singer wants to be her "left hand man" and loves it when she sings a particular song, even though she gets the words wrong and it gives him a lump in his throat. He also mentions a movie he thinks she'll like, which involves a man quitting his job and going to New York, and a woman who has been "living on the highest shelf."

Overall, the song seems to be a mix of quirky, personal reflections and romantic longing. The singer's fears and anxieties provide an interesting contrast to the idea of being swept away by a riptide or living a romantic movie-style life. The song's catchy melody and bouncy rhythm make the lyrics feel even more personal and relatable.

Line by Line Meaning

I was scared of dentists and the dark
I used to fear the scary things like the dentist and the darkness

I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations
I was shy to talk with attractive women or even start conversations with them

Oh, all my friends are turning green
I see my friends getting envious of me

You're the magician's assistant in their dreams
My friends imagine that you're the part of their imaginary world

Ah-ooh
vocalization

Ah-oh, and they come unstuck
Expression of freedom as they let go of their problems

Lady, running down to the riptide
A woman running towards the dangers of the sea

Taken away to the dark side
She is taken to a place of danger and uncertainty

I wanna be your left hand man
I want to be by your side, to support and protect you

I love you when you're singing that song and
Your singing fills me with love

I got a lump in my throat 'cause
I'm emotional and feel choked up

You're gonna sing the words wrong
You don't know the right lyrics to the song

Here's this movie that I think you'll like
I recommend a movie that I think you would enjoy

This guy decides to quit his job and heads to New York City
A man decides to leave his job and move to New York City

This cowboy's running from himself
A cowboy is trying to escape from his own problems and troubles

And she's been living on the highest shelf
She's been living her life from a distance and not connecting with others

I just wanna, I just wanna know
I simply want to understand

If you're gonna, if you're gonna stay
If you are going to be with me

I just gotta, I just gotta know
I really need to know

I can't have it, I can't have it any other way
I cannot accept things any other way

I swear she's destined for the screen
I'm convinced she is meant to be a movie star

Closest thing to Michelle Pfeiffer that you've ever seen, oh
She is so beautiful that she may be compared to the stunning Michelle Pfeiffer

Oh, lady, running down to the riptide
Oh woman, rushing towards danger

Taken away to the dark side
Taken away to a place of fear and uncertainty

I wanna be your left hand man
I want to be your support and protector

I love you when you're singing that song and
I love your singing

I got a lump in my throat 'cause
I'm feeling emotional and choked up