Riptide – Vance Joy, The Indie Hit That Put Ukes on the Map

How a spontaneous bedroom demo and a dusty ukulele launched Vance Joy into global stardom — and gave ukes their indie-cool comeback

Before Riptide, ukes were mostly associated with Hawaiian ballads, Tiny Tim, and beach strumming. But when Vance Joy (real name James Keogh) released this quirky indie anthem in 2013, ukes officially entered the alt-pop spotlight.

And here’s the wild part — he didn’t even play ukulele until right before writing the song.

A Happy Accident in a Melbourne Bedroom

Vance Joy found a cheap ukulele in his house, dusted it off, and started playing around with chords. The progression came fast — Am, G, C — and the melody followed almost immediately. The lyric “I was scared of dentists and the dark” just popped out.

That simple uke riff became the song’s signature. It gave Riptide its charm, its bounce, and its offbeat, unforgettable vibe.

“It was like lightning in a bottle,” Joy later said. “It just sort of arrived.”

Ukes Get a Spotlight Moment

What made Riptide special wasn’t just the catchy melody — it was how the ukulele gave the song personality. It was vulnerable. Odd. Lovable. Joy’s vocal cracks and off-kilter delivery paired perfectly with the humble charm of ukes.

The song climbed charts around the world, stayed in the Australian Top 100 for a record 107 weeks, and has since become a staple for uke players everywhere.

🎸 Thinking about getting started yourself? Browse our collection of New Premium Ukuleles at Island Bazaar Ukes — perfect for putting your own spin on indie favorites like this one.

Why Riptide Works for Players

The chord progression is beginner-friendly, and the rhythm has enough bounce to keep things interesting. Whether you strum it straight or fingerpick the intro, it’s a great practice piece for getting confident with transitions and timing.

Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser — especially if you let your voice crack a little for effect.

🔗 Sources

• Vance Joy Talks “Riptide” – Rolling Stone

• NPR Tiny Desk Concert – Vance Joy

• Official Riptide Video – YouTube

• Ukulele Hunt: “Riptide” Chords