[1] Later, in the song Joel sings of issues that occurred while touring Scandinavia, including financial concerns and loss of power during a show in Norway.
[1] The lyrics are not explicit about what the "surprise" or "sins of Amsterdam" were, although music critic Mark Bego suggests that they appear to relate to drugs and possibly sex.
"[1] Rolling Stone critic Stephen Holden speculated that the lyrics suggest "that Joel may see war and devastation as the inevitable future of a disillusioned world," especially when considered in combination with a Nylon Curtain song explicitly about the Vietnam War, "Goodnight Saigon.
"[5] Joel's producer Phil Ramone stated that "it's a basic story of what happened to Billy and the band, their first travels.
The opening also incorporates a recording in Dutch of an actual boarding announcement for a flight from Amsterdam to Stockholm and the sound of an airplane landing.
"[10] Joel biographer Hank Bordowitz also described "Scandinavian Skies" as being reminiscent of McCartney's work with the Beatles.
[1][13] Joel biographers including Bielen, Bego and Fred Schruers point out similarities with Beatles psychedelic music and particularly Lennon's "Strawberry Fields Forever.