big man on mulberry street

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 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