Billy Joel stated in an interview that “Big Man on Mulberry Street” is a “portrait of a nebbish who thinks he’s cool.”
The song is sung from the perspective of a young man with delusions of grandeur. More broadly, it presents a very human theme of “wanting to be somebody.”
The big-Broadway-style p...
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 a 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 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 always
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've played the whole part
I'll 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?
Big Man on Mulberry Street was written by Billy Joel.
Big Man on Mulberry Street was produced by Phil Ramone.
Billy Joel released Big Man on Mulberry Street on Wed Jul 09 1986.