Vienna

Album: How To Save A Life (2005)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Billy Joel and Ultravox aren't the only ones with songs called "Vienna." The Fray's song is a piano ballad about the end of a relationship after the couple has tried everything they could to make it work, but in the end couldn't keep it together. Yet, the singer remains open: "Is there really no way to reach me, am I already gone?" It's easy to see which side of the relationship the problems may have lain on.
  • "Vienna" first appeared on The Fray's 2003 EP Reason, which they released independently as they were growing their following in Colorado. They got signed to Epic Records in 2004, and a year later included the song on their debut album, How To Save A Life, which includes the hits "Over My Head (Cable Car)" and the title track. The song was written by lead singer Isaac Slade, guitarist Joe King, and bass player Dan Battenhouse.

Comments: 2

  • Tom from IllinoisThe song has a second meaning: someone considering suicide, or perhaps already having committed suicide and looking at life from the afterlife and imagining the people they left behind.
  • Timmy from Mukilteo, Waamazing song.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Petula Clark

Petula ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Petula talks about her hits "Downtown" and "Don't Sleep In The Subway," and explains her Michael Jackson connection.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.