Lyric discussion by thegirlin14g 

Cover art for Vienna lyrics by Billy Joel

I love this song. I've always had a place in my heart for it, but this past year was my freshman year at college, and especially my first semester I started changing myself - to impress a boy, to impress the upperclassmen - changing myself to what I thought would help me get what I want. I was upset and alone in my dorm one day and this song came on the playlist and I cried and cried.

To me, this song is about a child who wants so much, and is rushing and trying to change everything to get everything she wants. She has big dreams, and she wants them all realzed now. The narrorator is reminding her that she can't make these things happen.. her dreams, her Vienna, waits for her.

It may sound silly but this song has leveled me out on many occasions when I probably was about to do something stupid. Or even whenever I'm frustrated with living in a small town or not being able or old enough to do something - it reminds me that I'm 19 and that I have a lot of time to get to my Vienna.

@thegirlin14g I know this comment is like 10 years old but thank you for posting this, I’m in the exact same boat as you (lonely college freshman with no direction trying too hard to impress a boy who isn’t worth it). I definitely just had a very cathartic cry while listening to the song after reading your comment. I hope you’re doing well

@thegirlin14g

Hey, I was so ready to cry when I saw when you wrote this comment! For I am 19 too but in 2022 and when reading your comment I felt it completely! I wonder if you will ever read my answer and if you already found your Vienna? I am still to wait for my Vienna. I wish you all love and blessings from above, Johanna