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Vienna
Billy Joel
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- Album
- The Stranger (Legacy Edition)
- Released
- 1977
- Genres
- soft rock
- Length
- 3:34
- Tempo
- 125 BPM
- Label
- Columbia/Legacy
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About this song
Joel has said "Vienna" was one of his two favorite songs, as cited in a July 2008 New York Times article. It was inspired by a trip Joel made to Vienna to meet his father, who had left the family when Joel was eight. The song was the B-side to "Just The Way You Are", yet it became one of Joel's most popular songs and was the third-most streamed song in his catalog in 2024.
What it's about
The song uses Vienna as a metaphor for the rest of life, drawing on the sight of an elderly woman sweeping the street who felt useful and happy. Joel has said it reminds listeners they have a whole life to live rather than rushing through their 20s and 30s to chase success.
Fun facts
- Sampled in 2 other songs, like “IDEAS ARE BULLETPROOF! by EGOVERT”.
- Covered 18 times, including “Vienna by Estella Dawn”.
- Written by Billy Joel.
- Produced by Phil Ramone.
- Recorded at A&R Recording.