Riptide — ukulele chords
Play Riptide by Vance Joy on ukulele: the chords as tap-to-hear diagrams, the progression you can play and transpose, and the theory behind it — in C major. Free.
The chords
Every chord in Riptide, as a tap-to-hear ukulele shape (standard gCEA). The little numeral is its role in C major.
Hear the progression
The whole verse is a three-chord loop — Am, G, C — with F added in the chorus. vi–V–I, over and over. Press play, and drag the Key control to move it to wherever your voice sits.
Why it works on ukulele
It's basically the national anthem of the ukulele: three easy shapes (Am is 2000, C is 0003, G is 0232) looped forever, at a friendly strumming tempo. Most people's first full uke song.
The theory
It sits in C major but starts on the vi (Am), which gives that bittersweet, hovering feel — the song never quite plants its feet on the tonic. The Am–G–C loop is vi–V–I: the G (V) leans toward C (I) every time, but the loop pulls straight back to Am, so it keeps spinning.
More ukulele songs
Browse all ukulele chords · ukulele scales
Educational analysis only. We don't reproduce lyrics, melodies, sheet music or recordings — chord progressions, keys and scales are shared facts of music theory. Song and artist names are used for identification and commentary; ThunderFret is not affiliated with or endorsed by any artist.
Switch the tool to ukulele to see these shapes across the neck, hear them, and jam the progression with a band. Free.
Open the interactive toolFrequently asked
What are the ukulele chords for Riptide?
Riptide uses Am, G, C, F, in the key of C major. The whole verse is a three-chord loop — Am, G, C — with F added in the chorus. vi–V–I, over and over.
Is Riptide easy to play on ukulele?
It's basically the national anthem of the ukulele: three easy shapes (Am is 2000, C is 0003, G is 0232) looped forever, at a friendly strumming tempo. Most people's first full uke song.
What key is Riptide in?
C major. It sits in C major but starts on the vi (Am), which gives that bittersweet, hovering feel — the song never quite plants its feet on the tonic. The Am–G–C loop is vi–V–I: the G (V) leans toward C (I) every time, but the loop pulls straight back to Am, so it keeps spinning.