Young also records under the names Sky Sailing, Port Blue, Color Therapy, Insect Airport, Seagull Orchestra and his own name, Adam Young.
Young started out making music in 2007 in his basement in his hometown of Owatonna, Minnesota, United States, later developing a following through his MySpace profile before being signed to Universal Republic. Young has released seven albums under the Owl City moniker: "Maybe I'm Dreaming" (2008), "Ocean Eyes" (2009), "All Things Bright and Beautiful" (2011), "The Midsummer Station" (2012), "Mobile Orchestra" (2015), "Cinematic" (2018), and "Coco Moon" (2023). Young's 2009 single "Fireflies" reached #1 in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and The Netherlands. His second major hit, 2012's "Good Time" featuring Carly Rae Jepsen reached #8 in the US and #1 in New Zealand.
He was also once a member of Windsor Airlift and Swimming with Dolphins, both of which he is no longer involved with.
09. Dear Vienna
Owl City Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Until I viewed it in black and white
Then I reviewed every frame and basic shape
And sealed the exits with caution tape
Don?t refocus your eyes in the darkness
And don?t remember this place unless
I describe all the things that you cannot see
And we?ll unravel the mystery
Farewell all my friends in textbooks, ?cuz I?m going home
?Cuz my blood cells cannot depend on the weather in photographs
There?s a light show out my window, somewhere way up there
Dear Vienna, are you singing?
Dear Vienna, are you swinging?
Dear Vienna, we were happy like the shades of May when we got carried away
I regarded the world as such a sad sight
Until I viewed it in black and white
Then I reviewed every frame and basic shape
And sealed the exits with caution tape
Don?t refocus your eyes in the darkness
And don?t remember this place unless
I describe all the things that you cannot see
And we?ll unravel the mystery
I was so far out of place
Watching those stars in outer space
'cause I am so far from where you are
There?s a light show out my window, somewhere way up there
Dear Vienna, are you singing?
Dear Vienna, are you swinging?
Dear Vienna, we were happy like the shades of May when we got carried away
The song "Dear Vienna" by Owl City is a contemplative and wistful composition that expresses the singer's longing to return home to Vienna. The singer was once in Vienna and recalls the happy time they had with their friends. The first verse describes the singer's perception of the world as sad until they viewed it in black and white. The use of black and white imagery may allude to a nostalgic or romanticized view of the past. The next lines describe the singer reviewing every frame and basic shape, sealing the exits with caution tape, and urging the listener not to refocus your eyes in the darkness or remember this place unless the singer describes all the things that are not visible.
The chorus reflects the singer's homesickness and longing by imagining a light show somewhere way up high and asking "Dear Vienna, are you singing?" and "Dear Vienna, are you swinging?" These lines suggest that the singer is perhaps missing the vibrant energy of Vienna, the warmth of their friends, and the good times they had. The final lines express the deep longing of the singer to return home to Vienna and recapture those happy times when they got carried away.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dear Vienna" express the singer's dreamy and nostalgic perspective as they long to return home to a place of happy memories and friendships.
Line by Line Meaning
I regarded the world as such a sad sight
I used to see the world as a bleak and depressing place
Until I viewed it in black and white
But then I looked at it differently, in shades of gray rather than color
Then I reviewed every frame and basic shape
I examined every detail and simplified component
And sealed the exits with caution tape
I was careful not to let any unwanted thoughts or people enter my mind
Don?t refocus your eyes in the darkness
Don't look for negativity or sadness when you're in a dark place
And don?t remember this place unless
And don't reminisce on this place unless
I describe all the things that you cannot see
I tell you about all the things that you might not have noticed
And we?ll unravel the mystery
And together we'll try to understand the world better
Farewell all my friends in textbooks, ?cuz I?m going home
Goodbye to all the things I've learned from books, because I'm back where it all began
?Cuz my blood cells cannot depend on the weather in photographs
My emotions and thoughts are not determined by external factors like pictures or weather
There?s a light show out my window, somewhere way up there
I can see an impressive display of lights from my window, somewhere high above
Dear Vienna, are you singing?
Addressing the city of Vienna, wondering whether it's alive and vibrant
Dear Vienna, are you swinging?
Asking if the city is feeling lively and energetic
Dear Vienna, we were happy like the shades of May when we got carried away
Reflecting on a past trip to Vienna where things felt light and carefree, just like the month of May
I was so far out of place
Feeling out of sync with the rest of the world
Watching those stars in outer space
Looking at the stars in the sky, feeling far away and small
'cause I am so far from where you are
Because I feel so distant from the people and places that I love
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM R. YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind