Riptide
Vance Joy Cover | BBC Live Lounge (2014)
Table of Contents
Background and Release
«For me, it was a no-brainer. And I wanted to change up the arrangement a little bit and maybe hear what it would sound like, if a girl sang it.»
Taylor Swift
Vance Joy had no warning Taylor planned to cover the song. He said: “It showed how talented she was [singing] in that stripped back way.”
Lyrical Theme
«It is a weird mish-mash of ideas. Sometimes, you know, I will try to write and stick a bunch of different ideas and images together and it won’t work and I’ll think, 'Oh, that doesn’t sound right,' or, 'It sounds too weird and it all conflicts with each other,' but for some reason that all came together well for 'Riptide,' and when things happen like that it is a bit beyond your control. I had a bunch of different ideas and words, it wasn’t even a general story line like I was referring to an experience or anything. It is more like a stream of consciousness.»
Vance Joy
1989 World Tour Opening Act
«She was lovely. She complimented my music and said she liked 'Riptide.' She said she was excited to have me on tour. It felt very low-key. I might have felt [overwhelmed] if she wasn't so down-to-earth. It really felt so natural. She's at the forefront of all creative decisions [with her music] and that comes through. Her personality is front and centre and that's why her fans are so engaged.»
Vance Joy
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
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, and they come unstuck
[Chorus]
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 because you’re gonna sing the words wrong
[Verse 2]
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, and they come unstuck
[Chorus]
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 because you’re gonna sing the words wrong
[Bridge]
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
[Verse 3]
I swear she’s destined for the screen
Closest thing to Michelle Pfeiffer that you’ve ever seen, oh
[Chorus Variation]
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 because you’re gonna sing the words wrong
[Final Chorus]
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 because you’re gonna sing the words wrong
I got a lump in my throat because you’re gonna sing the words wrong
Associated Era | 1989 Era |
---|---|
Released | October 9, 2014 |
Recorded | 2014 |
Written | 2012 |
Venue | BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge |
Genre | Indie Folk |
Length | 3:30 |
Songwriter | Vance Joy |
Producer | BBC Radio |