Album: The Stranger (1977)

License This Song 

• Slow down, you crazy child
  You're so ambitious for a juvenile
  But then if you're so smart, well, 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
  
  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?
  
  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
  
  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?
  
  Slow down, you crazy child
  And take the phone off the hook and disappear for awhile
  It's alright, you can afford to lose a day or two, ooh
  When will you realize Vienna waits for you?
  
  And 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
  Why don't you realize Vienna waits for you?
  When will you realize Vienna waits for you? Writer/s: Billy Joel
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 43

• Lisa from Big Rapids MichiganI would sing this to my son in med school when studies became intense ,I’d tell him he could afford to miss a day or two and now years later it’s still his song
• EmmaI just wanna join everyone here who express their love to this song. Vienna is also my favorite song, and I'm a person usually without a "favorite" list. It's just so comforting on so many levels. I went to a Billy Joel concert a few weeks ago, because I can finnaly afford it. When he started singing Vienna, I just couldn't stop crying. This song means so much to me.
• SamI’ve always interpreted it as a message to people that you should never let someone else tell you what to do. The first time I heard it I was confused because he says “Dream on but don’t imagine it’ll all come true” but also says “You got your passion you got your pride but don’t you know that only fools are satisfied”, having very conflicting statements, one saying that you can dream but the probably won’t come true and the other saying that you should never be satisfied and always look for more. I listened to it a few more times and figured that he was quoting what the people around the subject say to them, but then reassured them that it was their life to live, not someone else’s. My interpretation of this song is basically what I live on, don’t let others control your life and go for your dreams, no matter how impossible they might seem. I’m almost 15 and I plan on traveling Europe and living in Vienna(another reason I like it so much) for a while. Most of my life my grandparents and mother have told me that I shouldn’t have such big ideas and that I shouldn’t leave or they’d miss me, it made me seriously doubt ever traveling and living my life. When my parents divorced I decided to live with my dad and my aunt. They are the most supportive and helpful people I know and now I realize that my dreams and expectations of myself are mine to choose and mine to follow, not someone else’s.
• Abbie DawsonI have loved this song for a long time but only just now did I truly see the vitality of it’s message. Often I find myself in times of impatience, it could be short term like, “I can’t wait to go on this road trip and really see the world!” Or more exciting things, for instance, I have lots of faith in myself and am sure whatever I decide to pursue in life is completely up to me and I can achieve anything I become determined to do. Furthermore, I sometimes have thoughts such as, “I can’t wait to start my life, why waste my potential by continuing this dependence on my family and parents?” Although days anymore seem to be whole lifetimes, it’s important I soak up the experiences I can while young and perhaps the world or Vienna in this case isn’t done waiting yet.
• Jasmine Stewart from Orlando, FloridaThis song is my favorite song by far. I've been a fan of billy since I was little and im currently 14. My interpretation of this song is to take life slowly and live in the moment and enjoy it while you can. I often catch myself biting off more than I can chew to achieve my goals, as I want to get a degree in Pharmacy and Neurology and be an officer in the Navy and do so much more. But, this song reminds me that its okay to take a step back and let myself live from time to time.
• Millicent from The CarolinasThis song always takes my breath away. The lyrics mean so much because to me, everybody's version of "Vienna" is different. We reach a point in our youth where we're "so ambitious for a juvenile". Those ambitions can often times lead young people who have not yet acquired discernment, wisdom and self control to go way too fast down roads that they shouldn't. If they slow down, think, take a close look at what they're doing and the decisions they're making, they'll be able to see that yes, Vienna is waiting for them. Vienna doesn't have to be elaborate or extravagant but once one arrives there, it's home. Arriving there may involve taking the phone off the hook and disappearing for a while. Don't get so ahead of yourself that you forget what you need. Silence the distractions so that you can make good choices that land you ultimately in your "Vienna" and enjoy life in each stage.
• Connor from MinneapolisSt James.... man. A lot to address there, but I'll just focus on the creepy carnival music thing.
  To me, it sounds like Viennese waltz music, which would fit. And the piano sounds so reflective and almost bittersweet. All that to say, I do see what you mean, but I think the music is appropriate and it fits.
• Jp from NyDon't know how people can compare Elton John to Billy. Though while a great artist Elton never wrote a lyric in his life. Bernie Taupin. Just saying.
• Micheal from RochesterLove the comments, but what I love even more is that art can be interpreted in so many different ways depending on the individual. No ones right or wrong, not even Billy himself.
• Rob from Raleigh, NcHate to burst your bubble there St. James, but at this point in human evolution, every musical style is derivative, even Elton John.
• St James from Southport I realize I am in the minority here, but may I offer something different please? This song gives me the creeps. In particular it’s the piano music — especially the intro. It’s like deranged carnival music. And it’s a rip off of Marvin Hamlisch’s style. The music doesn’t match the message. While I am at it, I think Joel’s hits are often rip offs of other styles. Like Uptown Girl from Neil Sedaka or the Four Seasons. In the Middle of the Night? What right does he have to steal Black southern gospel? Someone mentioned he is often compared with Elton John. I think Elton’s style is original. You may or may not like it, but he’s not just copying. Elton is an artist. Billy, not so much.
• AnonymousI really never "heard" the words when it was popular, but in 13 going on 30 I really heard it. Better late than never.
• Tom from Perth, Western AustraliaI listened to the Howard Stern interview with Joel and the lyric 'Vienna waits for you' became imbued with a depth I'd never considered.
  
  It could mean that, for the enlightened, there's a 'Vienna' waiting to receive you in your old age... Or, even more affecting, while you may not want to wait for a 'Vienna', Vienna will always wait for you.
• Eileen Griffin from MassachusettsThis is probably my all time favorite song. I'm 14 and first heard this song in 13 going on 30 and I tot forgot about it. Yesterday I was scrolling through song that my class and I could sing at graduation and this showed up on a list and I listen to it again and I fell in love with it again. It says that take your time and you'll enjoy the ride and just take some time for yourself and relax. Even if you're 8 or 80 you still have your whole life in front of you.
• Jenn from Bronx, NySome background on Billy - Billy's dad was an accomplished pianist. After Billy's parents divorced, his dad moved to Vienna & was absent for most of Billy's life. His mom encouraged Billy to learn & play piano, to see if he inherited the gift from his dad. Years later after Billy grew up & became a huge success, Billy finally went to Vienna to see his dad & rebuild the relationship.
  When Billy was recently on Howard Stern, Stern asked Billy if this song was about going to Vienna to confront his dad on
  being absent from his life, and finally reaching closure. Billy said "No, that it was about an old woman cleaning the street" (as mentioned above).
  That night, Joel called Stern & said "you know, I never thought about it, but you got me really thinking. Maybe subconsciously, this song is about my father."
  
  
  
  
  
• Matt from Ft. Lauderdale, Fl"Vienna Waits" was also the title of a fourth season episode of "Taxi" in which Alex and Elaine take a trip to Eurpoe. The song plays throughout the episode.
• Ruthie from Burnley, United KingdomAbsolutely awesome song, beautiful lyrics and an amazing performer. MY FAVOURITE SONG! When I'm dreaming I imagine this to be on the soundtrack to my life! LOL! :) Thankyou Billy - might go to vienna one day! Peace everyone :)
• Matt from Fishers, Inalso in Breakfast at Tiffany's
• Noah from Galesburg, IlThis is my favorite Billy Joel song and probably in my top ten overall...I've never understood how this song ended up so underrated, even though it was part of "The Stranger" which I would say is Joel's magnum opus.
• Richard from Somerdale , NjThis is one of Billy's two favorite songs he wrote, along with Summer, Highland Falls. He said this during an interview and said because his father was in Vienna and the time they spent together there was great.
• Jepmcfly from Ny, NyThis song reminds me of Holden from the novel, "The Catcher in The Rye".
• Nishit from Mumbai, IndiaI love hearing this song when I'm feeling down and bogged down
• Juliet2893 from New York, NyThis song always reminds me of a kid, 16/17, moving so fast in life and missing all of the real important things. Trying to be older and what not. I know i'm taking it extremely literal but thats the image that appears when i listen to this.
  Amazing song.
• April from Baltimore, MdMy All-time favorite song by anyone ever.
• Victoria from Budapest, HungaryThis song is one of my favorites because of the beautiful lyrics. But sadly this song and many other similar ones are underrated while they are more meaningful than the newer hits.
• J.b. from San Jose, CaDEEP LYRICS!!!! GREAT LYRICS!!!!! uses Vienna as a metaphor for the rest of your life.
  Hate to sound old, but the popular music of today is rather EMPTY......
• Kimmie from Dallas, GaWow. Thanks Billy.
• Julie from Taylor, TxI lovvvveeee this song. It is a classic. An they say young people don't have good taste in music!
• Ken from Louisville, KyWhen Joel appeared on Inside The Actors Studio, host James Lipton broadly hinted that this was his favorite Billy Joel song. Lipton told the audience of drama students that "Vienna waits for you".
• Tracy from Undisclosed, CtI love this song so much - it's easily one of my absolute favorite Billy Joel songs. The "12 Gardens Live" version is great too.
• Ozzy from Fresno, CaI agree with Kevin and Leyna.
  There's nothing like this song. It's the saddest song I've ever heard along with Imagine and Golden Slumbers. People are always comparing Billy Joel to Elton John, but sometimes people who listen to modern songs and bands like Van Halen and Experience are too blind to understand this kind of stuff.
  Billy Joel is one of the greatest composers of all time, and ever since my dad played this for me when I was about eleven it was and still is my favorite song by him.
  "You got your passion, you got your pride, but don't you know that only fools are satified?"
• Gen from New York, NyThis is such a beautiful, totally underrated, and since it was never publicized that much, most people don't know of it.
• George from Salisbury, Ctthis is like the most underrated Joel song ever!
• Matthew from Milford, MaDid The Fray do a cover of this on their album, "How to Save a Life"?
• Kristin from Yaphank, NyWow. What a great song. I am listening to it right now.
• Jackie from San Diego, Cabeautiful, one of my favorites
• Mark from Des Moines, IaOne of my favorite Joel songs, if not the best! Incredible lyrics, and catchy music. "Too bad that's the life you lead, You're so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need."
  
• Caitlin from Upper Township, NjSuch a nice song. it's very deep and meaningful. you just don't see songs like this anymore
• Ken from Louisville, KyBilly Joel performed this song on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" in 2006.
• Nick from Boston , MaOne of the better songs. I actually found it by mistake. This and Leningrad are good songs
• Leyna from From The Middle Of The Ocean, OkBeautiful song. Very inspiring.
• Kevin from Grosse Pointe, MiThis is my favorite Billy Joel song ever. It's so underrated, I'm suprised that more people don't know about it.
  
  "Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true. When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?"
• Steven from Liverpool, EnglandThis song featured in the movie 13 Going on 30

More Songfacts:

Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)Edison Lighthouse

The love is growing in the '70s hit "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" because rosemary is the name of an herb.

Run Like HellPink Floyd

Pink Floyd's "Run Like Hell" was released as a single in America because it has a catchy beat, but the lyrics describe a reign of terror instigated by the despot Pink, the main character in the concept album The Wall.

Killer QueenQueen

The Queen song "Killer Queen," according to lead singer Freddie Mercury, is about a high-class call girl.

Careless WhisperWham!

George Michael was 17 and on a bus to his job at the cinema when he came up with the idea for "Careless Whisper" and the lyrics, "Something in your eyes calls to mind a silver screen."

Blinded By The LightBruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen wrote "Blinded By The Light," which was a #1 hit for Manfred Mann's Earth Band. The "Madman Drummers" line is a reference to Springsteen's first E-Street drummer, Vinnie "Mad dog" Lopez.

When I'm 64The Beatles

In The Beatles' "When I'm 64," Paul McCartney asks a woman if she'll still be there for him when he's 64. In 2006, he got his answer when shortly before his 64th birthday, he and Heather Mills separated.

Editor's Picks

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.