Last night in my crazed frenzy to finish the crapton of tasks that seem to have fallen onto my plate this week, I saw this quote and it made me pause:

Billy Joel’s “Vienna” has always spoken to me.  Even though Billy is talking about the dreaminess of a country, I’ve always interpreted the lyrics to mean more about really appreciating the present.  As someone who is perennially in a hurry to do everything, slowing down isn’t something easy for me.

While I usually use music to motivate me to move faster, it’s rare that I allow the musical message to decelerate to penetrate.

Nearly a year ago (to the day), I featured this song as a Tunes For Tuesday pick after seeing Billy Joel sing this great song live at the Hollywood Bowl but today, I’m using this song not just as something that I’d yell at my own crazy child (his nickname on the blog is Wild Boy for more than just the Duran Duran reference) but it’s a message to myself to ride the wave obligation and get through stronger.

If you haven’t heard this fabulous song, you definitely should take a listen (see link above) but if nothing else, maybe the words will be inspiring to you today too.

 

Slow down you crazy child
You’re so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you’re so smart tell me,
Why are you still so afraid? (mmmmm)

Where’s the fire, what’s the hurry about?
You better cool it off before you burn it out
You got so much to do and only
So many hours in a day (Ay)

But you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want
Or you can just get old
You’re gonna kick off before you even get halfway through (Oooh)
When will you realize… Vienna waits for you?

Slow down you’re doing fine
You can’t be everything you want to be before your time
Although it’s so romantic on the borderline tonight (tonight)

Too bad, but it’s the life you lead
You’re so ahead of yourself that you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you’re wrong
You know you can’t always see when you’re right (you’re right)

You got your passion, you got your pride
But don’t you know that only fools are satisfied?
Dream on, but don’t imagine they’ll all come true (Oooh)
When will you realize… Vienna waits for you?

Slow down you crazy child
Take the phone off the hook and disappear for a while
It’s alright, you can afford to lose a day or two (oooh)
When will you realize… Vienna waits for you?

And you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want or you can just get old
You’re gonna kick off before you even get halfway through (oooh)
Why don’t you realize… Vienna waits for you?

When will you realize… Vienna waits for you?

What song is speaking to you right now and why?