Vance Joy’s ‘Riptide’ Was One of U.K.’s 40 Biggest Songs In 2023

Ten years on, Brits are still swept away by Vance Joy’s “Riptide”.

The ARIA Award-winning singer and songwriter is the sole Australian making an appearance on the U.K.’s top 40 biggest songs chart for 2023, led by Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers.”

Thanks in part to its ride on TikTok, “Riptide” (via Infectious Music) comes in at No. 40, cracking a list that’s dominated by new releases, the majority of which were recorded by British and north American artists.

A handful of older cuts are in the mix, most notably the evergreen holiday tracks “Last Christmas” by Wham (No. 18) and “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey (at No. 29); Miguel’s viral number from 2011 “Sure Thing” (No. 12); and the Killers’ 2004 single “Mr Brightside, which stubbornly refuses to die.

“Mr Brightside” is the most-streamed song of any track released before 2010 and, in 2021, became the first track ever to log five years on the chart, when it collected its 260th non-consecutive week (it’s accumulated 390 weeks in the U.K. top 100 — and counting).

At home, “Riptide” continues to bubble away.

Currently, it’s at No. 4 among all homegrown recordings, according to ARIA, behind three Christmas-themed tracks: Sia’s “Snowman” and “Santa’s Coming For Us,” and Paul Kelly’s “How to Make Gravy,” respectively.

Expect the 16-times platinum track to return to the summit of the ARIA Top 20 Australian Singles tally when the Christmas decorations are returned to their boxes.

“Riptide” made a huge splash following its release back in 2013.

After signing with Liberation Records, Joy’s breakthrough busted records (eclipsing the old mark of 107 consecutive weeks on the ARIA Singles Chart), finished atop the triple j Hottest 100 poll, and gave the artist a break on both sides of the Atlantic (“Riptide” peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 10 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart).

Then, Taylor Swift covered the song for the “Live Lounge,” invited Vance to join her on tour, and the rest is writing itself.

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