In “Riptide,” Vance Joy opens by saying that he is afraid of dentists. The song's first line pairs dentists with another fear, the dark, before moving into worries about pretty girls and starting conversations.
“Riptide” was written and performed by Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy, whose real name is James Keogh. He wrote the song in 2008, and it first appeared on his 2013 debut EP, God Loves You When You're Dancing. It was later included on his 2014 debut studio album, Dream Your Life Away.
The song became known for its cheerful ukulele-led sound, unusual images, and coming-of-age romantic mood. Listeners sometimes remember the opening as asking about only one fear, but the lyric names dentists and the dark together. The title image of a riptide suggests a powerful force pulling someone away, matching the song's mixture of attraction, anxiety, and uncertainty.