A Song About Slowing Down: Reviewing Billy Joel’s “Vienna”

The cover image for the song “Vienna” by Billy Joel. This image shows Joel mid performance of his piece as he performs the background music on the piano accompanied by a microphone for his vocals. 

Lillon Henline, Feature Desk Lead

Music is defined as vocal and instrumental sounds combined in a way to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion. For many of us, music is an outlet. It helps us process emotions, lighten our mood, or even bond with a stranger. Not only do we connect to music through a beat or melody, but music has meaning behind it. Songs make an impact, small or large, that can alter our perspective. One song that does exactly that is “Vienna” by Billy Joel. 

In the mid 1970s, Joel traveled to Vienna, Austria, to visit his father, with whom he had a distant relationship with. While walking through the city, Joel noticed an elderly woman calmly cleaning the streets. He commented on the scene to his father, saying it seemed sad she had to do such work. Joel's father disagreed, explaining that the woman has a job, a purpose, and a place in society.

The exchange left a lasting impression on Joel. In later interviews, he explained that European culture appeared to value older individuals differently than American society, allowing them to remain active and respected members of the community.

“You don’t have to squeeze your whole life into your 20s and 30s trying to make it, trying to achieve that American dream, getting in the rat race, and killing yourself. You have a whole life to live,” stated Joel. 

That realization became the inspiration for his song “Vienna.” Instead of pushing a message about having ambitions or reaching success, Joel promotes a more unfamiliar idea, one that provokes listeners to reflect inward and that may cause listeners to rethink the way they live their life. An idea that could completely change one's perspective. 

Joel uses Vienna, the city he visited, as a metaphor for aging, basing the song around the idea that old age isn’t something you should be afraid of, but rather something that you should value. Instead of focusing on the unpredictable future, “Vienna” encourages listeners to enjoy and appreciate the stage of life they are currently in.

This message is clearly reflected in Joel’s song lyrics, specifically in his famous line: “Slow down you’re doing fine. You can’t be everything you wanna be before your time.” This lyric speaks directly to the pressure that many young individuals may feel– the pressure that you have to have your whole life figured out before you’ve even had the chance to grow. Instead of glorifying constant achievement, Joel redefines success, focusing on the significance of being present and valuing each moment. As a senior in high school, this message stood out to me because it offers a sense of reassurance during a stressful stage of life, where many individuals may feel a sense of pressure and expectation moving forward. 

One of the most powerful lines in “Vienna” is “You’ve got your passion, you’ve got your pride, but don’t you know that only fools are satisfied?” This lyric really stands out to me because it reminds listeners that passion and pride are important, but they shouldn't overwhelm you. Joel isn't telling you to push aside your ambitions but he’s encouraging a healthy balance between chasing what's important to you while still valuing the present. I connect with this line because it’s honest and realistic. Many of us tend to get swept away by the stress of our day-to-day life, but “Vienna” encourages listeners to remember that we can find a balance. 

“Vienna” doesn't rush the listener or push them towards the next milestone, but serves as a reminder to pause and “be where your feet are.” I believe this is what makes the song so impactful. The message is easy to connect with, especially for listeners who may be entering a season of change. The encouragement, comfort, and shift in perspective offered in Joel's lyrics is what allows “Vienna” to be meaningful across generations. 

For high school students navigating expectations about school work, college, careers, and adulthood, “Vienna” offers a comforting reminder that it’s okay to slow down and focus on the present moment. Decades after its release, "Vienna” still remains relevant because of its timeless message. No matter the stage of life, sit back, look around, and appreciate life as it unfolds.