"Riptide" is a song about trying to find a connection with someone special and determine whether it's worth holding on to. It speaks of staying up late, flipping through emotions, and dealing with the dark sides of relationships. The chorus reflects an attempt to make the most of the short time we have, to "live it with you," if only for one night or one life. It speaks to the uncertainty of life and relationships, yet the desire to live it with the one you are with.