Big Man On Mulberry Street by Billy Joel

Album: The Bridge (1986)

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According to Joel, this jazzy track is about a loser who wants people to believe he's a big shot as he strolls around Little Italy's Mulberry Street in New York City.
"Big Man On Mulberry Street" is also the title of a famous episode from the TV series Moonlighting. The episode features a dream sequence with Bruce Willis dancing with dancer Sandahl Bergman in a bar, and this song is being played. >>>
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Justin - Felts Mills, NY
Joel came up with the idea for the title character while he was walking down Mulberry Street. He had a studio nearby at the Puck Building in SoHo and would often take walks over to Little Italy clear his head.

He explained in Phil Ramone's 2007 book, Making Records: The Scenes Behind The Music: "If I was writing at my studio in the Puck Building and I got stuck, I'd pace the room - it had big windows and a nice view. Sometimes I'd leave the building; I'd go down to Little Italy to get a little food, a little wine, and some espresso. The walk I took on this one night was on Mulberry Street, and I just kind of invented this character that was like 'Mr. Cool.' The character is a nebbish, but in his own mind he's the 'King of Mulberry Street.' When he walks by, the old ladies sitting on the stoop wave to him. It's just one of those things I invented."
Known for the hit single "A Matter Of Trust," The Bridge is Joel's 10th studio album. The singer admits it isn't his proudest work because he was more interested in being at home with his wife and new baby than laboring in the studio.

Comments: 5

Neil from Detroit, MiThe jazz influence and assertive melody of this song is quite appealing. According to Joel himself, the song is about an average guy who thinks that he's this "Big Shot" (no pun intended) but isn't in reality.
Steve from Columbia Heights, MnDonen modeled the dance sequence after the one featuring Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse in 'Singing In the Rain'. In fact, there were several references to that movie in the entire episode.
Sharon from Ottawa, CanadaBack to the Moonlighting episode; that dance sequence was choreographed and directed by the legendary, Stanley Donen.
Dennis from Anchorage, AkJoel has said that this is a song about a loser who WANTS to be a big man on Mulberry Street.
Kei from Salem, OrI always had a feeling that this song was about mobster John Gotti - back when The Bridge was released, he WAS a "big man on Mulberry Street", literally. Could be wrong, though.

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