The upbeat song has been lyrically described as a "coming of age love story" and is known for its metaphors and pop culture references.

[2] The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised its lyrics, vocals and production and drew comparisons to singer-songwriters Paul Kelly and Jeff Buckley.

[3] In May 2015, it was announced that "Riptide" had become the longest-charting song in ARIA Chart history, having remained in the top 100 for 107 weeks and counting.

[6] That month, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Riptide" was ranked number 94.

[10] Joy initially recorded and produced the song with drummer Edwin White in just one afternoon at Red Door Studios, in the Melbourne suburb of Brunswick.

[14] Hannah Gilchrist of the Red Magazine says "...it feels like you should be sitting on a California beach drinking a bottle of beer while your friends frolic in the waves – no surprise it's inspired by the tracks of the 70s.

[22] Before that, Joy was the opening act, between May and June, for the American singer Lissie's tour of the United States, on 27 July he appeared at the Splendour in the Grass in New South Wales and on 7 August he presented at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival in Canada.

[23] The tour began on 14 August 2013 in Adelaide, Australia at the Jive Bar and continued until 26 October 2013 in Paris, France.