Good night, Vienna
JayCee used this phrase in a comment she left recently on a blog post. It reminded me instantly of the ITV television series, ‘Rising Damp,’ about the lives of a penny-pinching landlord, Rigsby, and his tenants. It was broadcast from 1974 until 1978.
Rigsby, had a cat called Vienna, which was variously treated affectionately or despised, depending on the way Rigsby’s life was unfolding. When he put the cat out at night, he would say, ‘Good night, Vienna,’ suggesting that if Vienna met difficulties, it would all be over for him.
The phrase came from a radio operetta of 1932, called ‘Goodnight, Vienna.’ The operetta was later made into a film. Originally, the expression indicated a romantic farewell, but it gradually changed to mean, ‘It’s all over,’ ‘It’s finished,’ ‘That’s it,’ and became a part of British slang.
It was also the title of Ringo Starr’s 1974 album, ‘Goodnight Vienna,’ for which John Lennon wrote the words.
It’s similar in meaning to ‘Goodnight, Irene,’ the song written by Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter) in the 1930s. A one-time friend of ours was called Irene, and she hated it when anyone sang it to her. She took it as a personal insult.
My favorite is the Bertie Wooster version!
ReplyDeleteI liked Jeeves and Wooster with Fry and Laurie.
DeleteI learned something new! Very interesting and especially Ringo Starr’s 1974 album-
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteThe 90 year old whose birthday it was a few months ago, at times cops a tuneful 'Goodnight Irene, goodnight Irene'.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I've not heard of the Goodnight Vienna.
DeleteGood night Irene is the American version of Good night Vienna, I think.
DeleteI never knew about 'Goodnight Vienna' phrase which later became a British slang; and its origin. Learned something new. Thank you.
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteUntil reading your blog post, I had never come across "Goodnight Vienna". I find it very interesting how phrases or quotes make it into slang. Language is fascinating!
ReplyDeleteSome expressions don't translate very well, but others seem to be universal.
DeleteMy mother also hated it when someone sang Goodnight Irene to her, but that was because her name was Eileen.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny! No wonder she was irritated by it.
DeleteI expect you have the same reaction to "Janice - Don't Be Blind to Love" by Skip Mahoney when it comes on the radio.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this song, so looked it up . . .
DeleteI grew up with the phrase Goodnight Vienna meaning it's all over / kaput. I somehow thought everyone else knew about it 🫢
ReplyDeleteYes, kaput is another one we used regularly. Still do - I get the feeling I'm rather out of date - nothing new there, then.
DeleteMy mum Irene hated that song as well.
ReplyDeleteAww, bless her!
DeleteI've heard the expression goodnight Irene but never the Vienna version
ReplyDeleteGood night Vienna seems to be almost exclusively British.
Deleteall news to me, I grew up with out a TV or a radio in the house and in the 60's mid 60's I had 2 sons and worked and even though we had a TV never had time to watch it. just came from another blog with info about a TV commercial that I have never heard of. I have heard the expression Goodnight Irene, but not the song
ReplyDeleteYou haven't missed much of great importance, Sandra!
DeleteWhat an interesting post. I have heard the phrase and the song.
ReplyDeleteThe television series is outdated but still worth watching occasionally.
DeleteI enjoyed hearing about the old TV show.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteBeing from the United States, this is all news to me, too.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the television series didn't make it to the US. I don't think it would have made much sense, probably.
DeleteYou say Goodnight Irene and my brain went right to Come On Eileen
ReplyDeleteby Dexys Midnight Runners and now I will be humming THAT all day!
You're welcome!
DeleteThat one didn't cross the Atlantic. At least I had never heard it.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it would have had much success across the pond.
DeleteI have never heard this. But it put me in mind or George Allen's sign off: 'Good night, Mrs Calabash, where ever you are!'
ReplyDeleteIt's strange how some catchphrases stick in the mind.
DeletePeople used to sing, 'Oh Rosemarie I love you' to me and it always made me cringe with embarassment.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it was a source of great hilarity to them. The cruel things we do to our friends . . .
DeleteFun phrase
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteI wasn't familiar with this expression. English idioms are endlessly fascinating! xxx
ReplyDeleteI was looking at idioms from other countries. Some are quite entertaining.
DeleteA phrase that began as a tender farewell has wandered through operetta, sitcoms, and pop music to become a wry full stop on things, much like “Goodnight, Irene,” whose echoes some still wish would fade into silence
ReplyDeleteI wonder if name choices are sometimes decided on the popularity or otherwise of songs.
DeleteAll new to me so thank you, and Jaycee, for prompting this post.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
😁
DeleteGoodnight Vienna isn't familiar to me either, and I never say goodnight to Lola.
ReplyDelete😊
ReplyDeleteThat's fascinating. Used to love Rising Damp.
ReplyDeleteWe've been watching it again. It stands the test of time, though probably not politically correct now.
Delete