Why does "Riptide" show as colored bars instead of notation?

Bar Notation replaces traditional noteheads with colored horizontal bars on a simplified staff — each bar's vertical position is the pitch and its length is the duration. Much easier to read than classic sheet music while still showing the full arrangement of "Riptide".

What key is "Riptide" by Vance Joy played in?

Riptide is arranged in the key of C on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.

What's the tempo (BPM) of "Riptide"?

The arrangement plays at 120 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.

Is "Riptide" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this is one of our beginner-friendly arrangements with simplified chords and color-coded notes.

Can I download sheet music for "Riptide"?

Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.

Who composed "Riptide"?

"Riptide" was originally performed by Vance Joy. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.

What chords are used in "Riptide"?

This arrangement uses 5 chords: Am, C, F, Fmaj7, G.

What other songs by Vance Joy can I play here?

Try "MESS IS MINE", "LAY IT ON ME", "SATURDAY SUN". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Is this real sheet music for "Riptide"?

It's a simplified visual notation using colored bars instead of traditional notes. Each bar's vertical position shows the pitch and its length shows duration — much easier to read for beginners while still showing the complete arrangement of "Riptide".

Can I see all the notes in "Riptide"?

Yes! The Bar Sheet shows every note in the arrangement as a colored bar. The sheet scrolls automatically during playback, or you can scroll manually to study any section. The song is in the key of C at 120 BPM.

Sing this song instead — backing track for “Riptide”

Backing track + lyrics — toggle the vocal, change the key, practice singing over piano.

Other arrangements of Riptide

Pick a learning view or switch to the backing-track version.

Sheet Music Bar Notation Simple Sheet Lead Sheet Easy Notes Falling Notes

Also available as a piano backing track

Sheet Music · Backing Bar Notation · Backing Falling Notes · Backing

Lyrics

(Am)I was scared of den tists and the dark.

this (Am)I was scared of (G)pret ty girls and (C)start ing con ver sa tions.

All (Am)cow my friends are turn ing green;

you’re the (Am)ma gi cian’s as sist ant in their dream.

Ah (Am)ooh.

Ah (Am)oh,

and they (C)come un stuck.

(Am)La dy, (G)run ning down to the (C)rip tide, tak en a way to the (Am)dark side, (G)I wan na be your (C)left hand man.

I (Am)love you (G)when you’re sing ing that (C)song, and I got a lump in my (Am)throat ’cause (G)you’re gon na sing the words wrong.

(Am)There’s this mov ie that I think you’ll like:

this (Am)guy de cides to (G)quit his job, and (C)heads to New York Cit y.

This (Am)cow boy’s run ning from him self,

you’re and (Am)she’s been liv ing on the high est shelf.

Ah (Am)ooh.

Ah (Am)oh,

and they (C)come un stuck.

(Am)La dy, (G)run ning down to the (C)rip tide, tak en a way to the (Am)dark side, (G)I wan na be your (C)left hand man.

I (Am)love you (G)when you’re sing ing that (C)song, and I got a lump in my (Am)throat ’cause (G)you’re gon na sing the words wrong.

wrong.

(Am)I just wan na, I just wan na know

(C)if you’re gon na, if you’re gon na stay.

(Am)I just got ta, I just got ta know;

(C)I can’t have it, I can’t have it (F)an y oth er way.

I (Am)swear she’s des tined for the (C)screen;

(Am)clos est thing to (G)Mi chelle Pfeif fer (C)that you’ve ev er seen, oh.

(Am)La dy, (G)run ning down to the (C)rip tide, tak en a way to the (Am)dark side, (G)I wan na be your (C)left hand man.

I (Am)love you (G)when you’re sing ing that (C)song, and I got a lump in my (Am)throat ’cause (G)you’re gon na sing the words wrong.

Oh, (Am)la dy, (G)run ning down to the (C)rip tide, tak en a way to the (Am)dark side, (G)I wan na be your (C)left hand man.

I (Am)love you (G)when you’re sing ing that (C)song, and I got a lump in my (Am)throat ’cause (G)you’re gon na sing the words wrong.

Oh, (Am)la dy, (G)run ning down to the (C)rip tide, tak en a way to the (Am)dark side, (G)I wan na be your (C)left hand man.

I (Am)love you (G)when you’re sing ing that (C)song, and I got a lump in my (Am)throat ’cause (G)you’re gon na sing the words wrong.

Oh, (Am)throat ’cause (G)you’re gon na sing the words (C)wrong, and I got a lump in my (Am)throat ’cause (G)you’re gon na sing the words wrong.

Riptide — Visual Piano Sheet Music

15 people have learned this song

"Riptide" in visual bar notation — see every note as a colored bar on the staff. Easier to read than traditional sheet music. Scrolls automatically as you play. Key of C, 120 BPM.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to build confidence with a five-chord pop pattern that sits comfortably in the key of C — your right hand will cycle through Am, C, F, Fmaj7, and G, and since F and Fmaj7 share almost the same shape, you really only need to internalize four distinct chord grips.

Your left hand plays block bass notes, so keep it steady and grounded on the root of each chord without overcomplicating things.

At 120 BPM the tempo is upbeat, so start at about 80 BPM hands-separately, locking in the right-hand chord changes before you layer the left hand underneath.

The trickiest moment is the Am-to-G transition — your fingers will want to rush it, so loop just that two-chord switch until it feels automatic.

Watch your timing on the move from F to Fmaj7 as well; it's a small voice-leading shift, but at speed it's easy to blur.

Once you can play the whole progression cleanly at tempo, focus on keeping a light, bouncy touch to match the playful energy of the song.

This is the piece that will lock your I–IV–V–vi muscle memory into place for dozens of pop songs ahead.

Try other practice modes:

Falling Notes Beginner Lead Sheet Simple Sheet

About “Riptide”

Why does "Riptide" show as colored bars instead of notation?: Bar Notation replaces traditional noteheads with colored horizontal bars on a simplified staff — each bar's vertical position is the pitch and its length is the duration. Much easier to read than classic sheet music while still showing the full arrangement of "Riptide".
What key is "Riptide" by Vance Joy played in?: Riptide is arranged in the key of C on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "Riptide"?: The arrangement plays at 120 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Riptide" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this is one of our beginner-friendly arrangements with simplified chords and color-coded notes.
Can I download sheet music for "Riptide"?: Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Riptide"?: "Riptide" was originally performed by Vance Joy. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "Riptide"?: This arrangement uses 5 chords: Am, C, F, Fmaj7, G.
What other songs by Vance Joy can I play here?: Try "MESS IS MINE", "LAY IT ON ME", "SATURDAY SUN". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Is this real sheet music for "Riptide"?: It's a simplified visual notation using colored bars instead of traditional notes. Each bar's vertical position shows the pitch and its length shows duration — much easier to read for beginners while still showing the complete arrangement of "Riptide".
Can I see all the notes in "Riptide"?: Yes! The Bar Sheet shows every note in the arrangement as a colored bar. The sheet scrolls automatically during playback, or you can scroll manually to study any section. The song is in the key of C at 120 BPM.