Taylor Swift - Riptide Chords

STANDARD TUNING 
NO CAPO

(*= one strum)



Am*             G*               C*
I was scared of dentists and the dark
Am*             G*               C*
I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations
Am*    G*                  C*
All my friends are turning green
           Am*           G*             C*
You're the magicians assistant in their dreams




Am  G   C  F* C 
Ooooooh ooh
Am  G             C*  
Ooooooh, and they come unstuck




Am    G                   C
Lady, running down to the riptide
                  Am
Taken away to the dark side
  G             C            F*
I wanna be your left hand man
  Am       G                        C
I love you when you're singing that song and
                   Am
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
G                     C
You're gonna sing the words wrong




Am                 G                  C   F* C*
There's this movie that I think you'd like
     Am             G                C
This guy decides to quit his job and heads to New York City
     Am       G               C   F* C*
This cowboy's running from himself
    Am                G           C       F* C*
And she's been living on the highest shelf




Am  G   C  F* C 
Ooooooh ooh
Am  G           C*  
Ooooh, and they come unstuck




Am    G                   C
Lady, running down to the riptide
                  Am
Taken away to the dark side
  G             C            F*
I wanna be your left hand man
  Am       G                        C
I love you when you're singing that song and
                   Am
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
G                     C          F* C*
You're gonna sing the words wrong




Am                         G   F* G*
I just wanna, I just wanna know 
C                                F   G* C*
If you're gonna, if you're gonna stay 
Am                         G   F* G*
I just gotta, I just gotta know 
C                                Am        F  C  G  
I can't have it, I can't have it any other way



 
  Am*         G*               C*
I swear she's destined for the screen 
Am*              G*                C*
Closest thing to Michelle Pfeiffer that you've ever seen, oh




Am    G                   C
Lady, running down to the riptide
                  Am
Taken away to the dark side
  G             C            F*
I wanna be your left hand man
  Am       G                        C
I love you when you're singing that song and
                   Am
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
G                     C          F* C*
You're gonna sing the words wrong



   Am    G                   C
Oh lady, running down to the riptide
                  Am
Taken away to the dark side
G               C         F* C*
I wanna be your left hand man
  Am       G                        C
I love you when you're singing that song and
                   Am
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
G                           C       
You're gonna sing the words wrong
F                  C 
I got a lump in my throat 'cause
G                     C*
You're gonna sing the words wrong




How to Play "Riptide" (Taylor Swift Cover) on Guitar

Chords Used: Am, G, C, F
Tuning: Standard EADGBE tuning
Capo: None

Verse:
Use a single strum for each chord in the first few lines.
Chord progression: Am, G, C
Example lyrics with chords:
Am* "I was scared of dentists and the dark"
G* "I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations"
C* "All my friends are turning green"

Chorus:
Strum pattern: Down, Down-Up, Down-Up
The pattern provides a rhythmic flow. The chords are:
Am, G, C, F*, C
Example lyrics with chords:
Am "Lady, running down to the riptide"
G "Taken away to the dark side"
C "I wanna be your left hand man"

Bridge:
Create variation using Am, G, F*, G*, C
Build the intensity by increasing strumming energy.

Ending Chorus:
Return to the main chorus progression:
Am, G, C, F*, C
Use strong, dynamic strumming to finish on C*.

Common Mistakes:
Strumming too quickly, leading to rushed chord changes.
Overemphasizing the rhythm; keep it smooth.

General Tips:
Listen to the original recording for timing.
Practice transitioning from F* to C* smoothly.

Song Facts:
"Riptide" is originally by Vance Joy, but Taylor Swift performed her version.
The song tells a quirky story about love and adventure.