Riptide -

Beyond the music, "riptide" is often used as a metaphor for dealing with intense external forces or emotional distress.

“The chorus ties into this. A riptide suddenly swallows you beneath the water before you can react. He's fallen into this relationship without thinking.” Reddit · r/LyricInterpretations · 8 years ago Riptide

The Riptide Mentality, Lesser Goals, & More | The Curiosity Chronicle Beyond the music, "riptide" is often used as

: This often symbolizes a girl (or person) embracing a new, potentially dangerous or overwhelming direction in life. Beyond the music

Vance Joy has described the "riptide" as a metaphor for being suddenly pulled into a relationship or a new lifestyle without fully thinking it through—much like a swimmer caught in an actual ocean current.