Viënna
Currie/Cross/Cann/Ure Lyrics
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Freezing breath on a window pane
Lying and waiting
The man in the dark in a picture frame
So mystic and soulful
A voice reaching out in a piercing cry
It stays with you until
It means nothing to me
This means nothing to me
Oh Vienna....
The music is weaving
Haunting those pizzicato strings
The rhythm is calling
Alone in the night as the daylight brings
A cool empty silence
The warmth of your hand and the cold grey sky
It fades to the distance
The image has gone only you and I
It means nothing to me
This means nothing to me
Oh Vienna....
This means nothing to me
This means nothing to me
Oh Vienna....
This means nothing to me
This means nothing to me
Oh Vienna....
The lyrics of "Vienna" by Currie/Cross/Cann/Ure speak of being caught in a vivid moment in time, where everything seems crystal clear and poignant, but ultimately is fleeting and meaningless. The song opens with a scene of walking in the cold air, with freezing breath on a window pane, setting a stark and melancholic tone. The second line, "lying and waiting," implies a sense of anticipation or hesitation, as if we are waiting for something to happen or for someone to arrive. The image of "the man in the dark in a picture frame" adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to the song, building the sense that something powerful and soulful is about to unfold.
The lyrics then shift into a description of this soulful voice, which is described as "mystic" and "reaching out in a piercing cry." There is a sense of profound emotion and depth in this voice, which seems to leave a lasting impression on the listener. The chorus repeats the refrain "this means nothing to me, oh Vienna," as if to emphasize the sense of fleetingness and transience in this moment. The music itself is haunting and melancholic, with pizzicato strings and a slow, mournful rhythm that underscores the sense of longing and emptiness.
The verse that follows speaks of the contrast between warmth and coldness, with the warmth of a hand and the cold grey sky fading to the distance. The image of the hand adds a sense of intimacy and human connection to the song, but ultimately seems to suggest that even in moments of closeness or intimacy, there is a sense of distance that cannot be bridged. Overall, the song seems to speak to the human experience of being caught in a moment of intense emotion or connection, but ultimately realizing that it is transitory and has no lasting meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
We walked in the cold air
We were walking outside in the freezing cold.
Freezing breath on a window pane
Our breath formed frost on a nearby window.
Lying and waiting
We were lying down, perhaps waiting for something.
The man in the dark in a picture frame
There is a man, cloaked in mystery, in a picture hanging in the room.
So mystic and soulful
The atmosphere around us is mysterious and emotive.
A voice reaching out in a piercing cry
A voice was heard in the distance, piercing and soulful.
It stays with you until
The experience and emotion from hearing the voice lingers on within you.
The feeling has gone only you and I
The emotional impact of this experience is something only the two of us share.
It means nothing to me
Despite the emotional impact, this experience is ultimately meaningless to me.
Oh Vienna....
A reference to the city we are in, though it may not necessarily be important to the artist.
The music is weaving
There is beautiful music playing, seemingly intertwining with our surroundings and emotions.
Haunting those pizzicato strings
The use of pizzicato strings in the music is eerie and haunting.
The rhythm is calling
The beat of the music is compelling and irresistible.
Alone in the night as the daylight brings
We are alone in the night, yet the day is quickly approaching.
A cool empty silence
The ensuing silence of the night is calm yet devoid of warmth and value.
The warmth of your hand and the cold grey sky
Your hand was warm, contrasting with the cold grey surroundings.
It fades to the distance
The warmth of your hand and the memory of this experience will soon fade away.
The image has gone only you and I
The detailed memory and uniqueness of this experience only belongs to you and me.
This means nothing to me
This experience still holds no real significance for me.
Oh Vienna....
Once again, a reference to the city, one which may still not hold any true value to the artist.
This means nothing to me
As before, this experience holds no tangible worth or importance for me.
This means nothing to me
The artist insists anew that this experience has no real relevance for them.
Oh Vienna....
The singer repeats the reference and title once more, yet its importance is still unclear.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Billy Joel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind