Billy Joel
Billy Joel
Billy Joel
Billy Joel
Billy Joel
Billy Joel
Billy Joel
Billy Joel
Billy Joel
In a July 2008 New York Times article, Joel cited this as one of his two favorite songs, along with “Summer, Highland Falls”.
Why did I pick Vienna to use as a metaphor for the rest of your life? My father lives in Vienna now. I had to track him down. I didn’t see him from the time I was 8 ‘till I...
[Verse 1]
Slow down, you crazy child
You're so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you're so smart
Tell me why are you still so afraid? Mm
Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?
You'd better cool it off before you burn it out
You've got so much to do
And only so many hours in a day, hey
[Chorus]
But you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want or you can just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through, ooh
When will you realize Vienna waits for you?
[Verse 2]
Slow down, you're doin' fine
You can't be everything you wanna be before your time
Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight, tonight
Too bad, but it's the life you lead
You're so ahead of yourself, that you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you're wrong
You know you can't always see when you're right
You're right
[Chorus]
You've got your passion, you've got your pride
But don't you know that only fools are satisfied?
Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true, ooh
When will you realize Vienna waits for you?
[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus]
Slow down, you crazy child
And take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while
It's all right, you can afford to lose a day or two, ooh
When will you realize Vienna waits for you?
[Outro]
And you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want or you could just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through, ooh
Why don't you realize Vienna waits for you?
When will you realize Vienna waits for you?
Vienna was written by Billy Joel.
Vienna was produced by Phil Ramone.
Billy Joel released Vienna on Tue Nov 29 1977.
In one of many Q&A sessions Joel held throughout the 1990s, he was asked by an audience member why he chose Vienna as a metaphor for life and its occasional crossroads. He explained it as the city being a melting pot of people of all cultures and status. Also, as a personal connection, his fathe...