Billie Joel - Vienna
Hello! Below you'll find my "Vienna" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by Billie Joel is a total classic. Aside from the instrumental intro section, the piano part is not super tricky, so feel free to skip it.
Enjoy!
Vienna Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Vienna:
Vienna Chords & Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Gm Bb
Slow down you crazy child
Gm Bb
Slow down you crazy child
F Ab
You're so ambitious for a juvenile
Eb
But then if you're so smart tell me
Eb
But then if you're so smart tell me
Bb C7 C/D D
Why are you still so afraid
Gm Bb
Where's the fire, what's the hurry about
F Ab
You better cool it off before you burn it out
Eb
You got so much to do
Gm Bb
Where's the fire, what's the hurry about
F Ab
You better cool it off before you burn it out
Eb
You got so much to do
Bb Am7 C/D D
And only so many hours in a day
[Chorus]
Eb F
But you know that when the truth is told
Bb F/A
That you can get what you want
Eb F
But you know that when the truth is told
Bb F/A
That you can get what you want
Gm Bb/F
Or you can just get old
Eb
You're gonna kick off
Or you can just get old
Eb
You're gonna kick off
Am7 D7 Gm7 C7
Before you even get halfway through, Ooooo
Gb7 F7 Bb
When will you realize Vienna waits for you
Gb7 F7 Bb
When will you realize Vienna waits for you
[Verse 2]
Gm Bb
Slow down you're doing fine
F
You can't be everything you want to be
Gm Bb
Slow down you're doing fine
F
You can't be everything you want to be
Ab
Before your time
Eb
Although it's so romantic
Eb
Although it's so romantic
Bb C7 C/D D
On the borderline tonight, tonight
Gm Bb
Too bad but it's the life you lead
F
You're so ahead of yourself
Gm Bb
Too bad but it's the life you lead
F
You're so ahead of yourself
Ab
That you forgot what you need
Eb
Though you can see when you're wrong
Bb
You know you can't always see
That you forgot what you need
Eb
Though you can see when you're wrong
Bb
You know you can't always see
Am7 C/D D
When you're right, you're ri - might
[Chorus]
Eb F
You got your passion, you got your pride
Bb F/A Gm Bb/F
But don't you know that only fools are satisfied
Eb Am7 D7 Gm7 C7
Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true, Ooooo
Gb7 F7 Bb
When will you realize Vienna waits for you
Eb F
You got your passion, you got your pride
Bb F/A Gm Bb/F
But don't you know that only fools are satisfied
Eb Am7 D7 Gm7 C7
Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true, Ooooo
Gb7 F7 Bb
When will you realize Vienna waits for you
[Instrumental]
| Gm | Bb | F | Ab |
| Eb | Bb | Am7 | C/D D |
| Gm | Bb | F | Ab |
| Eb | Bb | Am7 | C/D D |
[Chorus]
Eb F
Slow down you crazy child
Bb F/A Gm Bb/F
And take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while
Eb Am7 D7 Gm7 C7
It's alright, you can afford to lose a day or two, Ooooo
Gb7 F7 Bb
When will you realize Vienna waits for you
Eb F
But you know that when the truth is told
Bb F/A
That you can get what you want
Eb F
Slow down you crazy child
Bb F/A Gm Bb/F
And take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while
Eb Am7 D7 Gm7 C7
It's alright, you can afford to lose a day or two, Ooooo
Gb7 F7 Bb
When will you realize Vienna waits for you
Eb F
But you know that when the truth is told
Bb F/A
That you can get what you want
Gm Bb/F
Or you can just get old
Eb
You're gonna kick off
Eb
You're gonna kick off
Am7 D7 Gm7 C7
Before you even get halfway through, Ooooo
Gb7 F7 Bb G7
Why don't you realize Vienna waits for you
Gb7 F7 Bb G7
Why don't you realize Vienna waits for you
[Outro]
C7sus4*
When will you realize
C7sus4*
When will you realize
F7 (play intro part again, or end on Bb)
Vienna waits for you
Vienna waits for you
[Intro]
BbCDbD DDbC F C CDCBb
Gb Gb Gb Gb Gb Gb G
D D D D Eb Eb Eb
Bb Ab A Bb
Gb Gb Gb Gb Gb Gb G
D D D D Eb Eb Eb
Bb Ab A Bb
AbABb BbCBbA D Bb
G Eb Eb Eb F
Eb C C C D
Gb F F Bb
| Bb | Bb |
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Vienna Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Vienna" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Vienna" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.