Viënna
The Shadowboxers Lyrics
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How long?
Catch me if you can
I′m leaving soon
I don't know how this goes
Free from blue
Like birds against the moon
When I was a young boy
I was told to find you
Something there inside me
Making up my mind on you
Vienna
How long?
Vienna
Streets all lined with trees
Long lines for news
Could I be coming home?
Weathered hands
With nothing left to prove
Could I be coming home?
When I was a young boy
Longing for the day break
Something there inside me
Kept me from the heartache
Was it you?
Vienna
How long?
Vienna
Vienna
How long?
Vienna
Vienna
How long?
Vienna
Vienna
How long?
Vienna
The Shadowboxers's song "Vienna" is a reflective and introspective piece that raises questions about time, longing, and homecoming. The repetition of the phrase "How long?" throughout the song seems to suggest a sense of impatience and urgency. The opening lines "Catch me if you can, I'm leaving soon" create a feeling of restlessness, as if the singer is eager to move on to the next phase of life. The lyrics "Free from blue, like birds against the moon" convey a sense of liberation and escape from some sort of emotional burden. However, later on in the song, there is a sense of yearning for a return to a nostalgic past, as the singer wonders "Could I be coming home?" and reflects on the "longing for the day break."
The song's title "Vienna" is a reference to the iconic Austrian capital, which is known for its rich cultural history, classical music, and intellectualism. However, it is unclear from the lyrics what specific connection the city has to the overall themes of the song. Perhaps it serves as a symbol of a distant ideal, or a place of personal significance to the singer. The repeated refrain of "Vienna, how long?" adds a layer of mystery and contemplation to the song, leaving the listener with a sense of ambiguity and open interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
How long?
The singer expresses their uncertainty and confusion over the passage of time, and how quickly things are changing.
Catch me if you can
The singer is determined to leave their current situation or place, and is daring anyone to try and stop them.
I'm leaving soon
The singer is telling someone that they will be departing from this place or moment in time in the near future.
I don't know how this goes
The singer is unsure of what the future holds for them, and does not know how their story will unfold.
Free from blue
The singer is feeling liberated from any sadness or depression they may have been experiencing.
Like birds against the moon
The singer is comparing their sense of freedom to that of birds flying against the backdrop of the moon.
When I was a young boy, I was told to find you
The singer is reflecting on their younger self, who was given the message to search for something or someone important.
Something there inside me, making up my mind on you
The singer is saying that there is a force within them that is helping them make a decision about someone or something significant.
Streets all lined with trees
The singer is describing a picturesque scenery of a street with trees planted on both sides.
Long lines for news
The singer is noting a large number of people waiting in line to get the latest news of some kind.
Could I be coming home?
The singer is posing a rhetorical question about whether they could be returning to a place they once called home.
Weathered hands, with nothing left to prove
The singer is observing someone with hands that are marked with age and experience that no longer feel the need to demonstrate or prove anything to anyone.
When I was a young boy, longing for the daybreak
The singer is reminiscing about a time when they were young and eager for a new day to arrive.
Something there inside me, kept me from the heartache, was it you?
The singer acknowledges that someone or something had prevented them from experiencing emotional pain, and wonders if the person they were searching for earlier is responsible for that.
Vienna, how long?
The singer addresses the city of Vienna, and asks how much time has passed since they last interacted with the city.
Vienna
The singer repeats the name of the city to emphasize its significance.
Writer(s): Matt Lipkins, Emily Saliers, Adam Hoffman, Scott Schwartz
Contributed by Isabella L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.