One Final Serenade: Songs of Billy Joel
Billy performs "Big Man on Mulberry Street" in Russia in 1987.
 Download "Big Man On Mulberry Street (Live-Russia)"
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" is a brassy and bold jazz tune, much like some of the songs on 52nd Street and "New York State of Mind," but even more overtly jazz. The song depicts a character who acts like a big shot but knows that it is all just a show. He has self-awareness and dreads being discovered as a phony. He rhetorically asks himself "so tell me what am I trying to prove?"
At the same time, however, in the last line of the song we discover that he also wants to be found out, he wants someone to know the real him. Instead of asking "what if somebody finds out who I am," he instead laments "what if nobody finds out who I am?" He recognizes that it's better to be discovered and be known for who you really are, rather than lead a phony life where no one ever gets to know the real you. There is nothing too profound here, the song is mostly just a fun bluesy jazz jaunt that swings. An extended version of the song was used for a dream sequence in the popular 80's sitcom "Moonlighting." See video (below). |
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 |
"Big Man on Mulberry Street" was featured on an episode of the television series ""Moonlighting."