Riptide
Christian Akridge Lyrics
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And 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
I wanna be your left hand man
I love you when you're singing that song and
I get a lump in my throat 'cause
You're gonna sing the words wrong
And there'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
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
And 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
And I just gotta, I just gotta know
And 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
Love you when you're singing that song and
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
You're gonna sing the words wrong
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 get 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
The song "Riptide" by Christian Akridge touches on themes of fear, love, and fantasy. The opening lyrics reveal a vulnerable side to the persona, as he admits to being afraid of the dark, dentists, and starting conversations – seemingly common fears that many people can relate to. He then goes on to express his admiration for a girl who appears to be living out her own fantasy as a magician's assistant in his friend's dreams.
The chorus repeats the phrase "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." The riptide could be interpreted as the girl's alluring but dangerous nature that's pulling both her and the persona towards a darker side of life. He desires to be her "left-hand man," indicating that he wants to be by her side and support her, while also harboring secret feelings for her. The line "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" could refer to a specific moment between the two, where the girl is singing a song incorrectly, but it only makes him love her more.
The persona then mentions a movie that he thinks she will like, where a man quits his job and moves to New York City. The girl is compared to Michelle Pfeiffer, perhaps adding to the fantasy-like nature of the song. The final chorus repeats the earlier lyrics, emphasizing the persona's desire to be with the girl despite any potential danger or mistakes.
Overall, "Riptide" is a dreamy, folk-pop song that explores themes of fear, love, and escapism, with a focus on the singer's admiration for a girl who embodies his fantasies.
Line by Line Meaning
And I was scared of dentists and the dark
I had some irrational fears in the past
And I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations
I was a shy person who found it difficult to talk to girls
Oh, all my friends are turning green
My friends envied me for having a relationship
You're the magician's assistant in their dreams
You're the person who they fantasize about in their dreams
Oh, oh, and they come unstuck
Their fantasies become a reality
Lady, running down to the riptide
A metaphor for going through tough times or committing to something risky
Taken away to the dark side
The risks may lead to negative consequences
I wanna be your left hand man
I want to support you through the tough times
And I love you when you're singing that song and
I appreciate your unique qualities
I get a lump in my throat 'cause
I am emotionally overwhelmed
You're gonna sing the words wrong
You may make mistakes, but that's okay
And there's this movie that I think you'll like
I have something to recommend to you
This guy decides to quit his job and heads to New York City
The movie is about taking a risk and following your dreams
This cowboy's running from himself
Another character in the movie is also struggling
And she's been living on the highest shelf
There's another character who's been isolated
I just wanna, I just wanna know
I have some questions on my mind
If you're gonna, if you're gonna stay
I want to know if you'll commit to this relationship
And I just gotta, I just gotta know
I need to have clarity
And I can't have it, I can't have it any other way
I can't continue without knowing the truth
I swear she's destined for the screen
I see a bright future for you
Closest thing to Michelle Pfeiffer that you've ever seen, oh
You remind me of a famous actress I find appealing
And I got a lump in my throat 'cause
I am overwhelmed with emotion again
You're gonna sing the words wrong
You are unique and imperfect, and I love that about you
Contributed by Ava D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.