Vienna - Billy Joel | November - Single #2

An important song to Billy, as he wrote it as a tribute to his father's life. His dad left NY and lived in Vienna for a time.

Probably my favorite Billy Joel song. And I am a huge lifelong fan of Billy Joel. There is no better writer of melody other than Paul McCartney, who was one of Billy’s principal influences. I just thought I’d point out that 4 of the 5 Billy songs you have done are from “The Stranger” and there are still more great songs to do from that album. Top to bottom, that album is brilliant and I don’t even happen to think it’s his best album. Dig deep here guys. His whole catalog is amazing.

Mark Holt

Boys, this isn't a ballad, a ballad tells a story. But it's all good.

MrDeadstu

Try Angry Young Man from the flawless Turnstiles album

Lou Della Valle

Hey guys, there are so many songs for you to discover of Billy Joel’s. My sister was 13 years older than me so growing up I was introduced to great artists at a very young age. Billy Joel was one of them. Check out “until the night”, “stiletto”, and “say goodbye to Hollywood “. You will be blown away. I could list many more…. Should do the whole album of “the stranger” and 52nd street”. Thanks guys!

Carla

Can't be wrong with The Kid.

Robert Sutter

When are you guys going to discover Glass Houses?

Chris C

The Ballad of Billy the Kid. It is an upbeat banger with a western flair. He goes OFF on the keys. Not an "S", I think it is A+. The keys make this pretty wild.

Arthur Goerner

I'm just coming back to this now...my apologies. However, If you are going to do more of Billy, then you simply MUST react to Prelude/Angry Young Man. but if and when you do, you MUST watch the video of his performance from back in the '80's. It showcases his extraordinary piano skills and his ability to be a performer!!!

Tim Backster

This whole album is fantastic. Not a sleeper on the she thing.

Mark Murphy

Good Night Saigon, about Vietnam war soldiers, is so evocative. A must for any Billy Joel fan. Also Allentown, about the children of WWII. Billy Joel at his best giving voice to the human condition and common people.

Laurel

Interesting. I always thought it meant you should take a vacation… to quiet Vienna.

James Withrow

and then there's that eagles ballad, "desperado."

Kim Vidas Davey-Irvin

So good. So true. You can do anything you want in life, but you can’t do everything so you have to choose. Masterful singing.

Patricia Liedel

New York State of Mind!! It is a perfect follow up to this.

Brad Ballinger

This is a great album. I wasn’t a Billy Joel fan. My sister had this album on cassette. After a few listens, I was sold. I became a fan.

Blitztim

Guys, you have only scratched the surface of BJ's repertoire

John Fallon

This song got me through my early 20s. take note.

Pam Campbell

Ironically , his bass player Doug Stegmeyer committed suicide in 1995

BobbyV

Lol! Humbling to hear Alex say, "I think I heard my grandmother play this...." Half the time I forget my age. The shriveling process is external. We're ageless when it come down to essentials. But I digress....if you appreciate the honesty of his lyrics, listen to "Innocent Man," a song that breaks the mold.

Madelyn Farr

Billy has made so many great songs. Here's one that doesn't get a lot of recognition, "You're Only Human". It's an anti-suicide song, musically not one of his masterpieces but still a great song. That message though; you've got to see the original music video. Anyway it seems Billy came close to suicide himself at one time, wrote this song to help others and donated all the royalties from the song to the National Committee for Youth Suicide Prevention.

Kevin Costa

How about live from the Old Grey Whistle Test, "New York State of Mind". It's a great performance all around, and his voice seems to be channeling Ray Charles, very cool.

Kevin Costa

Try "An Innocent Man". His vocals are off the charts

Jfieri1 .

I second Captain Jack. Have you already done the classic NY State of Mind?

Jay Salhaney

Better late than never. Glad you got here. If you need more ballady S-tier ballads, you can stick with Billy Joel and try She’s Got A Way, She’s Always A Women, Honesty, I’ve Loved These Days and New York State of Mind. Please for you own sake - listen to ALL of these.

Mike Katona

Joel has such range. You should really listen to River of Dreams, Captain Jack, and The Downeaster Alexa.

Colleen Harris

God I love this song. The Stranger is such a great album

Nicholas

love that version, A good one for your live performance series.

James molony

You guys have to do Captain Jack - live version from "Songs in the Attic"

Steven Massey

Thank you, i was trying to remember his story about that on SiriusXM. He told how the elderly are embraced there and not hidden away and neglected like we often see here in the states. He mentioned how he would often see them out sweeping the sidewalks and engaging with everyone that walks by. I just think of the John Prine song "Hello in there" as the antithesis to this.

Tim Dore

My 1st time hearing it from Billy..but a guy on The Voice sampled it "after" he got his golden ticket. A judge off-handedly asked him to do a sample as he was walking out the door and the kid nailed it. That guy could sing also. 💜 Love Billy Joel. 🌟

TJ Tampa

Gorgeous. The man speaks the truth! Any Billy Joel is time well spent. 😊💖💖

Lisa W

Always loved it.... I remember listening to the album for the first time. The years go by fast, boys. I can't remember if you've ever hit 'The Piano Man', but I know you haven't done 'New York State of Mind', but those are two of his best IMO.

DH

The boys gave Warren a C back during their live cast. Roland the headless Thompson gunner. They didn’t get it.

Tim Clark

Definitely a deep cut and never really listened to this song before, but he has sooooo many classics 👍😄👍 “The Stranger” song on this album is sooooooooooo good!!!!!

Mark

This album came out just as I went to college. Whenever things started getting out of hand I'd say to myself out loud "Slow down you crazy child, you're so ambitious for a juvenile." Later in life I'd say it to drivers doing 70 in a 50 zone.

Elvis Manson

It's about his dad

Philip Labonte Jr

Very true Mr. Miller….All true.

Jeff Sagely

I'm telling you, Goodnight Saigon will hit you right in the feels.

Brett Pawlowski

I hope one day you hit the music of Warren Zevon. A brilliant songwriter who died much to young of lung cancer. To get a feel for him watch his last interview with David Letterman.

Raymond Miller

For the record: Vienna (Wien) is the capital of Austria.

Kennet

Different subject…You should really consider, since it’s Xmas and all…Doing James Brown’s Funky Christmas. It’s not not a typical, artist doing Christmas songs, album. It’s really what the title says… A funky Christmas album by James Brown. It’s truly worth a listen, Xmas or not, but since it’s that time of the year…

Jeff Sagely

Relax, boys....no need to shake your heads in 8th notes..it is a SLOW song LOL

Jens Goetzke

OK, yes, "Vienna" and "New York State of Mind" are really great for the slow stuff, but if you want a banger along with great lyrics, you should listen to "The Stranger" next..."Well, we all fall in love, but we disregard the danger...did you ever let your lover see the stranger in yourself?" Another good choice would be "Movin' Out".

Adrian Stevens

At one point in time Vienna was the center of the musical universe. This was an autobiographical song to himself. He's the crazy child with all this ambition but just can't wait to "make it". I love this song so much! Thanks for getting it out to us! Peace!! Oh yeah - no rating????? Peace!

John Hampton

May already know this, but Billy Joel was the golden gloves boxing champion at one time. Hence, the boxing gloves.

Tara

This was in the movie 13 going on 30. Maybe thats where you heard it. Its my personal favorite of his.

Tara

BTW, another GREAT ballad is Elton John's "60 Years On." The live version is epic.

Rowan

So, so glad to hear some deep cuts from Billy Joel. What was played on the radio and MTV were probably some of his worst material, IMHO.

Rowan

Haven't heard this in a while. Really reminiscent in style to some of Randy Newman's Pixar stuff. Or vice versa.

Terry Wood

Next up has to be "New York State Of Mind".......and "Captain Jack" will blow your doors off, too!

Barry Sergent

Completely agree Turnstiles is his masterpiece, though really there's not a bad song out there by Billy. Just FWIW, it's "Miami 2017" is the official title not "Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway," but I know many reference it as that.

Art of Free Speech

I'm all but shocked you went with this next, since you'd just done one of Billy's other slower tunes. Try something like Miami 2017 next, or Captain Jack, or Prelude/Angry Young Man (the Live version from Long Island is insanely good--the fact that I was there for that performance doesn't hurt, either ;) ).

Art of Free Speech

“Everybody Loves You Now” and “Somewhere Along the Line” are a couple of my favorites. But I agree “New York State of Mind” should be next.

John Bowen

That whole Shea Stadium video would be a great one to review.

Steve Sly

Nice choice! I have a love / hate relationship with Joel. He has done some amazing songs / albums, but he has also done a lot of stuff that never clicked with me. When he was huge back in the day I was never much into him, but over the years my appreciation has grown and I even went to see him live a few years ago. The whole “Stranger” album is solid. For me “Turnstiles” and “Nylon Curtain” are his other two masterpieces. For individual songs some of my favorites would be: “Captain Jack,” “Ballad Of Billy The Kid,” “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant,” “Downeaster Alexa,” “I’ve Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway,” “New York State Of Mind,” “Goodnight Saigon,” “Pressure,” “The Stranger,” “The Entertainer,” so many to choose from……

Steve Sly

The Stranger album as a whole is one of the best albums ever made—in general.

Stephanie

Super! Love this one. Try Captain Jack, an early Billy Joel tune that is a banger!

krthejet

Thanks for the video. I prefer New York State of Mind but that’s me. Where’s BLUES BROTHERS?

Cindy Pagano

Some of the early 80s tunes are as close as Billy Joel ever got to social commentary. "Goodnight Saigon" and "Allentown" are both great examples. But maybe my favorite Billy Joel song (maybe! depends on the day) is "Don't Ask Me Why." Just a lighthearted little love song, but a banger.

Donald Womick

"Summer, Highland Falls" is my favorite Billy Joel song. A&A would definitely like it, I am 1000% sure.

Ricky Spanish

"Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true". This album was Billy Joel at his very best. A true masterpiece of the mid-70's.

Ricky Spanish

You guys gotta listen to Ballad Of Billy The Kid, but the Shea Stadium live version. It's fantastic!

Dakota Badger

New York State of Mind has to be next. S-tier all day long.

Chris H

Many have said New York State of Mind and Good Night Saigon. Both are musts. But for something completely different, listen to River of Dreams. The music is great, the video is beautiful and enlivening.

Paul Pelosi

52nd Street (the whole album) is phenomenal!!!

Mary Riddell

The Stranger is for many, myself included, a "perfect album" - meaning that while it contains a number of big hits, the ENTIRE album is amazing - every track is great and you never skip a song. This puts the album up there with the likes of Rumours, Led Zep 4, Who's Next, etc. Listen to the whole album - you won't be disappointed!

Jason Harris

This Whole album is great

Adam Szamborski

Great job, as always, guys!! The Stranger album is so good and rich with peak Billy Joel. That said, 2 songs you need to get to aren't on the album. "New York State of Mind" and "Goodnight Saigon" deliver the sauce spin after spin. If there is such a thing as The Great American Songbook, New York State of Mind absolutely belongs in it. Goodnight Saigon is just an unavoidable emotional ride.

Nick Riva

The live version at the Old Grey Whistle Test is trancendent

Junie Tunes

Large parts of this song were used in an episode of the classic 70's TV show Taxi.

Steve Bryant

To me…”Vienna waits for you.” means take your time, slow down, Vienna isn’t going anywhere. It will still be there when you do get there.

Jeff Sagely

The whole album is great. Many a Billy Joel fan will name this album as their fav.

Henry Danforth

This song was in the romcom movie 13 Going on 30.

Donna Johnson

Only the good die young

Gary Levine

I grew up on Long Island where Billy grew up and still lives. He does a residency at Madison Square Garden (new dates coming soon). You guys need to plan a trip to NY to see him. It’s so much fun!!

Mary Ann

billy is a great american songwriter. one of my favorite 'piano' lead men...along with elton john, leon russell, tom waits and dr. john.

Patricia Coats

Listen to the stranger from this album guaranteed s tier

Bertín perez

Great, quirky, melancholy song. Slow down, you crazy child. That says it all. It's about perspective. Billy has spoken in interviews about how much better European countries treat and value their older population. As for great Billy deep cuts, hit Rosalinda's Eyes, Zanzibar, C'etait Toi, and Through the Long Night.

Phil

Not a huge Billy Joel fan, though I grew up with Stranger, Piano Man, 52nd St., and Glass Houses. This, however, is one of my favorites of his. Great tune; great reaction.

Michael Rogers

Oooh commenting before the video ends…lol. The meaning… well he’s sort of saying don’t rush through life. Take things one day at a time and appreciate them as they come. There will always be time to go see Vienna someday. Don’t beat yourself up about not getting there as soon as you thought you would… well that’s my interpretation. It’s very comforting to me.

Miss Melissa

One of his all time best. The Stranger is a great album top to bottom and definitely worth checking out in it’s entirety. I think you guys would love it. ✌️💕✨

Miss Melissa

Billy was inspired to write this song after visiting his estranged father who lived in Vienna. One explanation of the song is that it’s a metaphor for old age, not something to dread, but embrace.

Marge Walsh

Also, no rating for this tune? Did I miss it?

MissAstorDancer

My favorite Billy Joel ballad is "An Innocent Man". Don't really like the live version (s?), but the studio version is, to me, his most beautiful song, and really shows off his vocal chops, to say nothing of the intensely intimate lyrics! I highly recommend that you do a reaction to that ballad!

MissAstorDancer

Billy Joel never gets old. Have you done/heard the River one? THAT's playful. He actually figured that song out singing in the shower, and you can tell!

Colleen Harris

"She's Always A Woman To Me" is an another spectacular Billy Joel ballad/soft rock song. Better than this one.

TJ Crowley

The Ballad of Billy the Kid—changed my listening habits(it’s not a ballad). CAPTAIN JACK changed my life, yes he did.

Edmond Cox

New York State of Mind. There's a video with Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel doing it together. https://youtu.be/DZq5hy2RsvM

JodyGirl

The most important part about Billy Joel is that he was married to Christie Brinkley.

James Rea

I love it when you guys love one of my favorites! And hearing this live, when he can riff on his piano, is soooo good! Thanks for reminding me why I like this song!

Rhonda Socol

I know I was at least one of the ones who suggested this song. Forgot that Billy Joel gets blocked 🤦‍♀️. He has another ballad on this album- “She’s Always a Woman” - which was my favorite back then, but as I grew older “Vienna” trumps it. Thanks for listening! I would try the live performances of “She’s Got a Way” and “Streetlife Serenader” off of “Songs In the Attic” next. You can’t go wrong with a ballad from Billy Joel!

Psonic Psunspot

One of his signature sounds is that he sings long lines of lyrics without taking a breath so that when he gets to the end he's actually pushing out the last breath from his lungs. That's the sound you were trying to describe.

Jerry C

Songs in the Attic version of Capt. JACK!

Matt Peregrine

Great choice, great reaction guys! Have you done Captain Jack? If not you should!

Carole (ceecee)

New York State of Mind = S+ Tier!

Byron ayme

Try a little New York State of Mind!

Bruce Carchman

Honesty is another great ballad by him

KarenB

I really feel like Billy is one of the greatest pop songwriters of all time so it's no surprise to me that one of his best songs wasn't even a single.

Eddie Gomez

An ok song, but at least you got the second November cut out. At least it gave me a chance. to go back and catch Piano Man, which I guess had been blocked. If you want another great storyteller song, try Taxi by Harry Chapin.

James Rea

Woo HOO great selection guys……..

Edmond Cox