(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna
"(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna" is a song written by John Lennon, and released by Ringo Starr as the opening title track to his 1974 album Goodnight Vienna. A brief reprise (in which Ringo thanks the band and addresses the listener) closes the album. Released as the third single, this version is a medley combination of the two. The single was released in the US on 2 June 1975.[nb 1][1]
| "Goodnight Vienna" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 US picture sleeve | ||||
| Single by Ringo Starr | ||||
| from the album Goodnight Vienna | ||||
| B-side | "Oo-Wee" | |||
| Released | 2 June 1975 (US only) | |||
| Format | vinyl record 7" | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 2:58 (single version) | |||
| Label | Apple Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | John Lennon | |||
| Producer(s) | Richard Perry | |||
| Ringo Starr singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Goodnight Vienna track listing | ||||
11 tracks
| ||||
The title song features Lennon on opening count-in and piano, and Billy Preston on clavinet; and the reprise features Lennon's intro, 'OK, with gusto, boys, with gusto!'.
Composition and Lyrics
Written during Lennon's so-called "Lost Weekend" with May Pang, the lyrics depict the pair hanging out with cohorts (including Starr, Harry Nilsson and Keith Moon) in Los Angeles. The term "Goodnight Vienna" is English slang meaning "it's all over", and the London slang term "bohunk" is a mildly derogatory term for an immigrant of Bohemian descent.
This was the second of five Lennon songs to be offered for inclusion on Starr's solo albums, (the others being "I'm the Greatest" from Ringo, "Cookin' (in the Kitchen of Love)" from Ringo's Rotogravure, and two unreleased songs intended for Stop and Smell the Roses).
References
- Footnotes
- US Apple 1882[1]
- Citations
- Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 183. ISBN 9780753508435.
