Big Man On Mulberry
Billy Joel Lyrics


Why can't I lay low?
Why can't I say what I mean?
Why don't I stay home?
And get myself into some boring routine

Why can't I calm down?
Why is it always a fight?
I can't get unwound
Why do I throw myself into the night?
I'm on the outside
I don't fit into the groove
Now I ain't a bad guy
So tell me what am I trying to prove

Why can't I cool out?
Why don't I button my lip?
Why do I lash out?
Why is it I always shoot from the hip?

I cruise from Houston to Canal Street
A misfit and a rebel
I see the winos talking to themselves
And I can understand
Why is it every time I go out
I always seem to get in trouble?
I guess I made an impression on somebody
North of Hester and south of Grand

And so in my small way
I'm a big man on Mulberry Street
I don't mean all day
Only at night when I'm light on my feet

What else have I got
That I'd be trying to hide?
Maybe a blind spot
I haven't seen from the sensitive side

But you know in my own heart
I'm a big man on Mulberry Street
I play the whole part
I leave a big tip with every receipt

I'm so romantic
I'm such a passionate man
Sometimes I panic
What if nobody finds out who I am?


Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group



Written by: Billy Joel

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Alexander Smith

Why can't I lay low
Why can't I say what I mean
Why don't I stay home
And get myself into some boring routine

Why can't I calm down
Why is it always a fight
I can't get unwound
Why do I throw myself into the night

I'm on the outside
I don't fit into the groove
Now I ain't a bad guy
So tell me what am I trying to prove

Why can't I cool out
Why don't I button my lip
Why do I lash out
Why is it I always shoot from the hip

I cruise from Houston to canal street
A misfit and a rebel
I see the winds talking to themselves
And I can understand
Why is it everytime I go out
I always seem to get in trouble
I guess I made an impression on somebody
North of Hester and south of grand

And so in my small way
I'm a big man on Mulberry street
I don't mean all day
Only at night when I'm light on my feet

What else have I got
That I'd be trying to hide
Maybe a blind spot
I haven't seen from the sensitive side

But you know in my own heart
I'm a big man on Mulberry street
I play the whole part
I leave a big tip with every receipt

I'm so romantic
I'm such a passionate man
Sometimes I panic
What if nobody finds out who I am



All comments from YouTube:

Chris Kellison

One of his finest songs and arrangements, a musical genius if your a musician you already know this about him and it can't be denied!!!

Roy Idron

Agreed Chris, not to take anything from Bill, as even without the horns it's just incredible, but technically the horns and i think the walking bassline arrangement in that bridge were done by Rob Mounsey or Monsey a good arranger who did a lot in the 80s, one of his other great bits was he contributed that great Horn Hook for "You Can Call Me All" by Paul Simon...he played piano on "against all odds" (tho most of the arrangement was already done by Phil and the producer). And just 1 last nugget, he worked a lot with Steely Dan I think late 70s, so feel free to look it up to see what he contributed to them.. possibly horn part for "dirty work" not 100% sure on that one

ztoob8898

I once provided music for a company picnic. Lugged the sound system out to the park and everything. Put on some Billy Joel, not too loud, so I wouldn't bother other people. Some a-hole co-worker came up to me and said, "I don't like Billy Joel." My response was basically "Tough shit. You want to listen to your music, you bring your sound system. Besides, you see anyone complaining besides you?" He shut it after that. Hell, it was a mix; there were, like, only a couple of Billy Joel tracks. What was his problem?

yahya lotfi

Chr
is Kellison

ejrosenthal

I'm not much of a Billy Joel fan...yet this is my FAVORITE RECORDING of all time! Go figure.

MARK OC LAST

One of my fav tunes..check this version @18:15 Billy Joel -big man on mulberry street Moscow 1987

heavnnnsent

Love him....Billy Joel is so amazingly talented with Melody Harmony and even those fake 1950 do-ops.... I hate 1950 type music but somehow... I love all of his fake 1950 songs. I have so many favorite Billy Joel songs... I can't even name them all.

mojosabien

It’s actually a very interesting song this one.
Most piano based numbers are carried very much by the piano. Pianist song writers do that a lot, Billy Joel has done that a lot but instead on this number, the chords played on the piano merely reinforce the rhythm of the track, allowing the melody and harmonies to be picked up by the big band backing him. A sure sign of a writer, writing and performing a number so as to make the track the best it can be, rather than restrict where it can go by having most of it done on the piano, thus pampering the performers ego. Class work by Billy on this one in all regards, writing and production.

Realpolitik

This is an album with no fillers and extenders. Excellent job.

Daniel Vincent

Such a brilliant melody

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