‘Riptide’ – Vance Joy
Two songs in my top ten found me not through the Billboard charts but another mainstream musical source — The Voice.
Vance Joy’s ‘Riptide’ had enjoyed moderate success since its release on an EP but a performance by Team Gwen on the popular vocal competition brought it wide exposure.
I loved the song instantly and was even more taken by Joy’s performance of it. I bought his album, Dream Your Life Away, which is solid though this is clearly the standout track.
These lyrics are an intriguing combination of enigmatic and straightforward. I love the opening line and the reference to Michelle Pfeiffer. The music is propulsive and acoustic in the best way.
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 cause
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]
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
[Hook] x2
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
I got a lump in my throat cause you’re gonna sing the words wrong
Meet Me In Montauk 
Good pick. It’s been a good year for Michelle Pfeiffer in song between this song and “Uptown Funk.”