Vienna — Billy Joel
You know when you come across a song and it feels like it was written about your life? This week, I’ll use Vienna by Billy Joel to tell a bit about my life and what my generation is going through. We’ll also find out why Vienna waits for us…
I’m gonna be honest: I don’t know a lot about Billy Joel. Before I came across this song, I was one of those people who’d mistake him for Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day. But the song from 1977 has words that are so current and relatable that when I first heard it on the movie 13 going on 30 (2004), it never left my playlists.
I’m turning 30 this year and it’s not really a big deal for me. I’m living the life I want to live: I’m a nomadic full-time traveller, I work with something I love and I have no financial troubles. But my generation is so ambitious and so keen to overachieve that even though I’m living a “alternative lifestyle” I still get caught in some of the things Joel sing about in Vienna.
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?
I grew up in Brazil with this dream of moving to the UK and working in the music industry (more on the operational side, I cannot play an instrument to save my life). At the age of 21, I finally moved to London. Before I left home, I thought I’d get here and everything I’d ever wanted would come true. However, I was actually hit with a lot of insecurities. I had the energy and drive to start making my name in the music industry, but when I first got here I got paralysed with fear. And this is something I often see with people my age: we have the ambition but deep inside we’re very insecure and fragile.
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
After 4 years working for a multinational corporation, I became a nomad in 2019. I had a remote freelance gig and I was striving for a healthier work-life balance. I did well for the first year. Moving countries every month, having a lot of free time and earning just enough to lead a simple life. But 2 years on, I got tired of living in hostels and suddenly I felt the need to earn more money. Now, I’m working full-time remotely (in a job that I do love) and I also teach English to complement my income. Though I’m living more comfortably, I barely have any free time.
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
When will you realize… Vienna waits for you?
When I listened to this song for the first few times I would sing all the verses and really feel them. But then, when he mentioned Vienna, I was always very confused. So let’s find out what Vienna is waiting for us with:
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
When will you realize… Vienna waits for you?
This bit always gives me the chills. I spent most of my 20s living by the “I’ll only be happy when…” mentality. I was sure that if I worked hard enough I’d find a job I love in the music industry, live in the UK and finally be happy. But this never happened. Life took me on a completely different route and showed me who is really in control here.
But failing to achieve my big dream was the best thing that could have happened to me. I suddenly had nothing to lose, I became open to whatever life threw my way. And now, instead of waiting for the perfect conditions required for me to be happy, I’m finally enjoying my trip to Vienna!
