It was a personal favourite of Rosie O'Donnell and is perhaps Eder's biggest solo-chart hit.
Vienna
Linda Eder Lyrics
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Pictures of another time
From the corner of a small cafe
We watched the world go by
Now we sit here the best of strangers
We played the game for all it's worth
Endless nights in Vienna's eyes
'Cause in Vienna- we were poetry
Yes, in Vienna- love was alive
Watching you watching me
All that our eyes could see
All of the nights
We chased into the dawn
It was the best time of my life
We can't surrender to a feeling
That dance belongs to yesterday
Yet, I still hear Vienna's song
Take me back again 'Cause in Vienna- we were poetry
Yes, in Vienna- love was alive
Watching you watching me
All that our eyes could see
All of the nights
We chased into the dawn
It was the best time of my life
'Cause in Vienna- we were poetry
Yes, in Vienna- love was alive
Watching you watching me
All that our eyes could see
All of the nights
We chased into the dawn
It was the best time of my life
In Linda Eder's song "Vienna," the singer reminisces about a past love in the city of Vienna as she watches the rain fall. She and her partner were once strangers who played a game for all it was worth, but they became poets in Vienna, where love was alive. They spent endless nights together, chasing the dawn and experiencing the best time of their lives. Although they can't surrender to the feeling that the past belongs to yesterday, the memory of their time in Vienna continues to haunt them.
The song paints a vivid picture of Vienna as a place where magic happens. The city is referred to as a character in the song, with endless nights in its eyes and its song still ringing in the singer's ears. The way the song captures the fleeting nature of love and the sadness of its passing is both beautiful and poignant. It reminds us how deeply love can touch our lives and how its memory can stay with us forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Watching the rain fall in Vienna
Observing the rainfall in Vienna
Pictures of another time
Photographs from a different era
From the corner of a small cafe
Sitting in the corner of a tiny café
We watched the world go by
Witnessing the world passing by
Now we sit here the best of strangers
Now we sit together as strangers
We played the game for all it's worth
We participated in the game to the fullest extent
Endless nights in Vienna's eyes
Countless nights seen through Vienna's perspective
Take me back again
Return me to that place again
'Cause in Vienna- we were poetry
Because in Vienna, we were poetic
Yes, in Vienna- love was alive
Certainly, in Vienna, love thrived
Watching you watching me
Observing you observing me
All that our eyes could see
Everything we were able to see
All of the nights
Every single night
We chased into the dawn
We pursued until the break of dawn
It was the best time of my life
It was the most remarkable period of my life
We can't surrender to a feeling
We cannot abandon a sensation
That dance belongs to yesterday
That particular dance is in the past
Yet, I still hear Vienna's song
Nevertheless, I still hear the melody of Vienna
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: FRANK N WILDHORN, GARY BENSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marleecarpenter
Watching the rain fall in Vienna
Pictures of another time
From the corner of a small cafe
We watched the world go by
Now we sit here the best of strangers
We played the game for all it's worth
Endless nights in Vienna's eyes
Take me back again
'Cause in Vienna- we were poetry
Yes, in Vienna- love was alive
Watching you watching me
All that our eyes could see
All of the nights
We chased into the dawn
It was the best time of my life
We can't surrender to a feeling
That dance belongs to yesterday
Yet, I still hear Vienna's song
Take me back again 'Cause in Vienna- we were poetry
Yes, in Vienna- love was alive
Watching you watching me
All that our eyes could see
All of the nights
We chased into the dawn
It was the best time of my life
'Cause in Vienna- we were poetry
Yes, in Vienna- love was alive
Watching you watching me
All that our eyes could see
All of the nights
We chased into the dawn
It was the best time of my life
@scottscarboro1973
Linda Eder represents,to me, the very best of what a singer is meant to do. The thrill of her voice, the arrangement, & her connection w/song send me every time! Thank you Linda Eder for sharing your talent w/the world. We are all better now! ❤️❤️❤️
@ES-uf7zp
One of the best voices in my lifetime. Magnificent.
@jimkoran2125
This song belongs to Linda Eder !!! No other singer should ever even attempt to sing it ! Linda's voice is the most gorgeous voice I've ever heard. I've been lucky enough to see Linda live many many times starting back in 1996. She is as amazing now as she was back then and always so gracious and kind to talk with. A gorgeous lady with a gorgeous voice !
@davidpedersen4335
She owns it!!-----no one else should even try it!!
@TheMarciaann
SECOND TO NONE....THAT'S LINDA EDER'S VOICE! WOW - NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I WATCH/LISTEN TO THIS, I THRILL TO THE BEAUTY OF THIS LADY'S VOICE.
@cuchelo1
The arrangement and performance of this is so wonderful. She sings the chorus 3 times, and each time it's completely different emotionally. First, she's almost hesitant, like she's not sure if she really wants to remember such a beautiful moment. The next time, it's strong and clear, and she's letting us know that it's not bittersweet- it's full of love. And then the last time, after the buildup of the choir, it's like a clarion call. And yet, she completely pulls back for the last line, "It was the best time of my life..." Because this song is not about the power notes, it's about the emotional connection. Brava.
@tanekajarrett1140
So true
@grahamhueber7034
such a great analysis
@ronaldbills907
I want to relive this best time of my life!!! Time ⌚ take thy flight !!!!!
@billmccomb4629
A beautiful analysis. I never thought to put it all in words as you have, so I thank you.