Pop, Rock

Vienna Chords

Billy Joel Intermediate Key of C 5 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

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Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Capo

None

Chords

C · F · G · Am · Em

Vienna Chords – Guitar

Billy Joel’s timeless classic about slowing down and not rushing through life has experienced a massive resurgence with younger generations. The song’s waltz feel and wise lyrics make it a beautiful piece.

Waltz Feel (3/4 Time)

↓↑↓

123

Tip: This song is in 3/4 time (waltz). Count 1-2-3, 1-2-3 and emphasize beat 1. The piano-to-guitar transition works well with arpeggiated chords. Let the chords breathe.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C F

Slow down, you crazy child

G C

You’re so ambitious for a juvenile

Am Em F G

But then if you’re so smart, tell me why are you still so afraid?

Chorus

F C

Slow down, you’re doing fine

Am Em F

You can’t be everything you want to be before your time

Am F G

Although it’s so romantic on the borderline to-night

F G C

Vienna waits for you

Verse 2

C F G

Dream on, but don’t imagine they’ll all come true

C Am Em F G

When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Vienna"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: C, F, G, Am and Em.

Is "Vienna" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Vienna" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Vienna"?

It was written by Billy Joel, and released in 1977.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

C · F · G · Am · Em

Vienna Chords – Ukulele

Billy Joel’s timeless classic about slowing down and not rushing through life has experienced a massive resurgence with younger generations. The song’s waltz feel and wise lyrics make it a beautiful piece.

Waltz Feel (3/4 Time)

↓↑↓

123

Tip: This song is in 3/4 time (waltz). Count 1-2-3, 1-2-3 and emphasize beat 1. The piano-to-guitar transition works well with arpeggiated chords. Let the chords breathe.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C F

Slow down, you crazy child

G C

You’re so ambitious for a juvenile

Am Em F G

But then if you’re so smart, tell me why are you still so afraid?

Chorus

F C

Slow down, you’re doing fine

Am Em F

You can’t be everything you want to be before your time

Am F G

Although it’s so romantic on the borderline to-night

F G C

Vienna waits for you

Verse 2

C F G

Dream on, but don’t imagine they’ll all come true

C Am Em F G

When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Vienna"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: C, F, G, Am and Em.

Is "Vienna" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Vienna" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Vienna"?

It was written by Billy Joel, and released in 1977.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

C · F · G · Am · Em

Vienna Chords – Piano

Billy Joel’s timeless classic about slowing down and not rushing through life has experienced a massive resurgence with younger generations. The song’s waltz feel and wise lyrics make it a beautiful piece.

Waltz Feel (3/4 Time)

↓↑↓

123

Tip: This song is in 3/4 time (waltz). Count 1-2-3, 1-2-3 and emphasize beat 1. The piano-to-guitar transition works well with arpeggiated chords. Let the chords breathe.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C F

Slow down, you crazy child

G C

You’re so ambitious for a juvenile

Am Em F G

But then if you’re so smart, tell me why are you still so afraid?

Chorus

F C

Slow down, you’re doing fine

Am Em F

You can’t be everything you want to be before your time

Am F G

Although it’s so romantic on the borderline to-night

F G C

Vienna waits for you

Verse 2

C F G

Dream on, but don’t imagine they’ll all come true

C Am Em F G

When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Vienna"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: C, F, G, Am and Em.

Is "Vienna" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Vienna" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Vienna"?

It was written by Billy Joel, and released in 1977.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

C · F · G · Am · Em

Vienna Chords – Banjo

Billy Joel’s timeless classic about slowing down and not rushing through life has experienced a massive resurgence with younger generations. The song’s waltz feel and wise lyrics make it a beautiful piece.

Waltz Feel (3/4 Time)

↓↑↓

123

Tip: This song is in 3/4 time (waltz). Count 1-2-3, 1-2-3 and emphasize beat 1. The piano-to-guitar transition works well with arpeggiated chords. Let the chords breathe.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C F

Slow down, you crazy child

G C

You’re so ambitious for a juvenile

Am Em F G

But then if you’re so smart, tell me why are you still so afraid?

Chorus

F C

Slow down, you’re doing fine

Am Em F

You can’t be everything you want to be before your time

Am F G

Although it’s so romantic on the borderline to-night

F G C

Vienna waits for you

Verse 2

C F G

Dream on, but don’t imagine they’ll all come true

C Am Em F G

When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Vienna"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: C, F, G, Am and Em.

Is "Vienna" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Vienna" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Vienna"?

It was written by Billy Joel, and released in 1977.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

C · F · G · Am · Em

Vienna Chords – Mandolin

Billy Joel’s timeless classic about slowing down and not rushing through life has experienced a massive resurgence with younger generations. The song’s waltz feel and wise lyrics make it a beautiful piece.

Waltz Feel (3/4 Time)

↓↑↓

123

Tip: This song is in 3/4 time (waltz). Count 1-2-3, 1-2-3 and emphasize beat 1. The piano-to-guitar transition works well with arpeggiated chords. Let the chords breathe.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C F

Slow down, you crazy child

G C

You’re so ambitious for a juvenile

Am Em F G

But then if you’re so smart, tell me why are you still so afraid?

Chorus

F C

Slow down, you’re doing fine

Am Em F

You can’t be everything you want to be before your time

Am F G

Although it’s so romantic on the borderline to-night

F G C

Vienna waits for you

Verse 2

C F G

Dream on, but don’t imagine they’ll all come true

C Am Em F G

When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Vienna"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: C, F, G, Am and Em.

Is "Vienna" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Vienna" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Vienna"?

It was written by Billy Joel, and released in 1977.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Intermediate

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

C · F · G · Am · Em

Vienna Chords – Harmonica

Billy Joel’s timeless classic about slowing down and not rushing through life has experienced a massive resurgence with younger generations. The song’s waltz feel and wise lyrics make it a beautiful piece.

Waltz Feel (3/4 Time)

↓↑↓

123

Tip: This song is in 3/4 time (waltz). Count 1-2-3, 1-2-3 and emphasize beat 1. The piano-to-guitar transition works well with arpeggiated chords. Let the chords breathe.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C F

Slow down, you crazy child

G C

You’re so ambitious for a juvenile

Am Em F G

But then if you’re so smart, tell me why are you still so afraid?

Chorus

F C

Slow down, you’re doing fine

Am Em F

You can’t be everything you want to be before your time

Am F G

Although it’s so romantic on the borderline to-night

F G C

Vienna waits for you

Verse 2

C F G

Dream on, but don’t imagine they’ll all come true

C Am Em F G

When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Vienna"?

You need 5 intermediate-friendly chords: C, F, G, Am and Em.

Is "Vienna" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated intermediate and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Vienna" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Vienna"?

It was written by Billy Joel, and released in 1977.