“Riptide” by Beartooth

This is actually the first time we’ve ever analyzed a Beartooth track on this blog. But by all accounts, they’re a band that made a name for themselves via music which, as implied by Caleb Shomo, is “f*-king miserable and sad all the time”. Or for the sake of simplicity, like say that reportedly their standard is tunes more along the lines of  the generally-darker motifs upon which hard rock music is known.

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Beartooth's Riptide at Lyrics.org.

And to some extent, we find that in “Riptide” also, specifically as far as the actual verses are concerned. But as for the title/chorus and thesis sentiment, what it points to, once again resorting to one of Shomo’s own explanations, is “trying to start a new chapter in life… and… stop focusing on all the negative things”, i.e. the kind of thinking with dominated his thoughts in the past. 

And that notion does come clearly through in the lyrics, that the vocalist has reached a point where, most simply put, he has resolved to no longer be depressed. He seems to have come to the hard conclusion that he’s one of those types of people who enjoys mentally harping on issues that have him feeling like an underdog. But now, contrastingly he “wants to feel euphoria”.

To Note:

Caleb wrote this song while celebrating one week of sobriety and since then, according to reports, making a visibly-positive change in his life. So the lyrics, at the time they were written, truly were indicative of desire for transformation more so than experience achieving that goal, so to speak. The vocalist is able to perceive that he is on a path of self-destruction, largely due to holding onto past “pain”, which he is no longer keen to tolerate. And accordingly, this song is also supposed to represent a new era in the artistry of Beartooth.

Lyrics to Beartooth's "Riptide"

Beartooth

Beartooth is a group of hard rockers from Columbus, the capital city of Ohio. 

The group is fronted by Caleb Shomo, who has been holding down that position since the act’s formation in 2012. And at the time of Riptide‘s release he is backed by Oshie Bichar, Connor Denis, Zach Huston and Will Deely, respectively being the band’s bassist, drummer and guitarists.

Caleb Shomo served as both the writer and producer of this track.

Release of “Riptide”

Red Bull Records put “Riptide” out on 12 July 2022. Presumably it would serve as the lead single from the band’s forthcoming fifth studio album. At this time, the said album has yet to receive a title.

Riptide

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