Vienna is a song by Billy Joel that reflects his thoughts on growing up too fast and the importance of slowing down and enjoying life. The inspiration came after a visit to Vienna, Austria, where he saw an old man sweeping the streets. Joels father, who was living in Vienna at the time, told him that people there value all kinds of work, which made him reflect on how life doesnt need to be rushed.
Key: Gm
Gm
A#
Slow down you crazy child
F
G#
You're so ambitious for a juvenile
D#
A#
But then if you're so smart tell me why
C
D9
D
Are you still so afraid
Gm
A#
Where's the fire, what's the hurry about
F
G#
You better cool it off before you burn it out
D#
You got so much to do and only
A#
Am
D9
D
So many hours in a day
D#
F
But you know that when the truth is told
A#
Dm/A
That you can get what you want
Gm
A#/F
Or you can just get old
D#
Am7
D7
Gm7
C7
You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through
F#7
When will you realize
F
A#
Vienna waits for you
Gm
A#
Slow down you're doing fine
F
You can't be everything you want to be
G#
Before your time
D#
A#
C
D9
D
Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight, tonight
Gm
A#
Too bad but it's the life you lead
F
You're so ahead of yourself
G#
That you forgot what you need
D#
Though you can see when you're wrong
A#
Am
D9
D
You know you can't always see when you're right, you're ri - ight
D#
F
You got your passion, you got your pride
A#
Dm/A
Gm
A#/F
But don't you know that only fools are satisfied
D#
Am7
D7
Gm7
C7
Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true
F#7
When will you realize
F
A#
Vienna waits for you
Gm
A#
F
G#
D#
A#
Am
D9
D
D#
F
Slow down you crazy child
A#
Dm/A
And take the phone off the hook
Gm
A#/F
And disappear for a while
D#
Am7
D7
Gm7
C7
It's alright, you can afford to lose a day or two
F#7
When will you realize
F
A#
Vienna waits for you
D#
F
And you know that when the truth is told
A#
Dm/A
That you can get what you want
Gm
A#/F
Or you can just get old
D#
Am7
D7
Gm7
C7
You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through