Billy Joel - Big Man on Mulberry Street (from A Matter of Trust - The Bridge to Russia)

Billy Joel “Big Man On Mulberry Street" live from A Matter of Trust - The Bridge to Russia
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In the summer of 1987, Billy Joel accepted the Kremlin’s invitation to the U.S.S.R. for six fully-staged rock shows in Moscow and Leningrad, fulfilling a longtime desire to perform in Russia and permanently affecting the spirit of the country ahead of the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991.
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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 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
#BillyJoel #LiveMusic #SingerSongwriter

[@fab4isback]

No words. This is fantastic. Video quality is insane. Can't believe this is a live performance.

[@chrisirving8712]

Crazy great photage 🎁🎄💝

[@artfuldodger1286]

The closest Billy Joel ever came to writing big band jazz.

[@PokeJoshNY]

This is the definitive version of this song in my opinion

[@jhamler1]

Liberty Devito might be my favorite drummer. He's a muppet but he swings like it's nobody's business but his own. Truly talented.

[@helen6103]

John Hamler Yeah absolutely. He IS 'Animal' from 'The Muppets' in human form! Just brilliant 💖

[@jamespaul3654]

Fantastic song, superb performance!!

[@ultimatesportstv1555]

Love Billy's energy. This is the best version of the song ever!

[@devilseyeproductions7344]

This is the best live rendition of any billy Joel song ever. So clever how Liberty did his little solo right back into the main song.

[@8bitnitwit]

This video is insanely crisp and high definition for the year it was recorded

[@scalzmoney]

Most likely shot on 35mm film. They must have gone back to the original negative to make this version of the Russia concerts.

[@thepapacitaYT]

Best music performance of Billy Joel's without a shadow of a doubt. Mans a masterclass.

[@josephdalimonte5106]

just a bunch of Soviets partying to one of his best songs. Fantastic.

[@wrlord]

God I miss the '80s.

[@danieldoucet9121]

Fell in love with Billy Joel in 1986 when I bought The Bridge on cassette.

[@ElleScamp]

Watching this is really bittersweet; such a great song and performance… and I don't think I've ever seen Doug Stegmeyer so happy 😭💔 RIP, sir. You'll not be forgotten ❤️

[@leonardosantagostino332]

The energy of billy and the band is magnific. Devitto is a great drummer

[@robyncampos8334]

Love this so much, one of my favorites I can listen to over and over again.

[@CmdrTomalak]

All time favourite version right here.

[@jimhanold9026]

One of Billy Joel's EXCELLENT "live" performances from You Tube!

[@stylinsue535]

Written especially for the show MOONLIGHTING 😀

[@gardengnome3249]

Oh to be able to understand the process of making music and come up with something like this and then to be able to perform that same something in just this fashion. I think I could die well satisfied.

[@CosmicGirl78]

So well put!

[@robertkysilka3216]

Liberty is having a blast

[@robertkysilka3216]

Liberty is awesome

[@Aleksei.Jakuba]

1:46 My old friend Galina Jerohhina (May 3, 1970 - September 7, 2020) was at this concert (in the middle from above, on someone's shoulders). I miss you so much. 💔

[@jimmyk2616]

My condolences Aleksei .. ! Great that she got to see Billy live in concert at this special show !👍👌

[@jimmyk2616]

Great that you found her in all this footage 👍

[@Aleksei.Jakuba]

@@jimmyk2616 Thanks! I knew she was at one of Billy's three concerts in Leningrad. She told me about it. It was lucky that this particular show was filmed, and particular in Leningrad (There were three more shows in Moscow). In those days she entered the Leningrad Institute of Finance and Economics (now St. Petersburg State University of Economics). Unfortunately, she did not see these footages. After all, the DVD/Blu-ray in such good quality was released only in May 2014 and we did not know about it. After she passed away, I bought this DVD/Blu-ray and found this footages of with her. 3 seconds...

[@professionalidiot4501]

I love his expressions while playing piano

[@robynstewardson]

With FEELING!!

[@gailspitzer4975]

Billy Joel...FANTASTIC! probably the most under-rated - yet - most TALENTED musicians of all time. !!!

[@dianneeato1958]

How did I never hear this b4?? What a showman! The whole band!

[@bonefishjimmy]

IMHO, this iteration of the Billy Joel Band is the best...

[@Romchikthelemon]

Спасибо вам за эти легендарные выступления и за доверие! Thank you, mr.Joel, for your love, energy and devotion!

[@stereodreamer23]

The world needs more baritone sax...

[@jeannineasselin2804]

Fantastic composition and fantastic performance. He is so inhabited by his music. His musicians are so in synch with him .So cool to watch them.

[@billyjoel786]

Hello Jeannine, Is nice meeting you here. How're you doing? Thanks for the love and support for years ❤️.

[@laurenbakker6363]

i’ll give my first born child to go back in time to see this concert live

[@somena]

Wasn't this just amazing historic Rock and Roll and world History... This was the begining of the fall of the Communist Regime... And nobody even talks about it today. Sad.

[@helen6103]

@@somena Well said. I find it difficult to express just how incredible this event was & still is! I'm so thankful it's available to watch & enjoy - can't get enough of it 💖🌟💝

[@davecoalwood9487]

😁

[@johnrhodes2617]

Just found out that Billy Joel got inspired to write this song after watching Moonlighting

[@joedambrosio5423]

These were the days!

[@scalzmoney]

The album version has a longer ending with Billy exclaiming: "That's all folks" ala Porky Pig.

[@lyricist_16bit65]

Keep your bliss, there's nothing wrong with this...

[@lmggmr3699]

I'M ON THE OUTSIDE

[@chrisirving8712]

Probably the only guy in the world. That could teach me piano 🎄🍁💕💕💕

[@realpolitik2617]

Billi Joel in his absolute prime.

[@hd-cj8qp]

He's FOREVER IN HIS PRIME!

[@KG-wh8yv]

Love this from Billy Joel, Ray Charlesish shuffle vamp with unrestrained joy ! G13 and F13 chords bounce. No pop vain Ego, just pure flow. Divine. Especially that gangsta bounce in D minor/ A7 walkdown. You musicians hear this phrasing. Love it 🥳

[@danielcrofts5181]

I can't do those the 13's for the life of me

[@KG-wh8yv]

@@danielcrofts5181 😄 you dont have to play every note in the chord ! Just get the sound and the groove and you're good

[@micahj894]

can't believe this is a live performance! amazing! every musician is spot on!

[@iainsmith2434]

He played in Sydney immediately before going to Russia and the band was at least this good. They returned 2-3 months after their tour of Russia, maybe less, by then Billy’s voice was needing a rest, but him and the band were still fantastic.

[@Aleksei.Jakuba]

@@iainsmith2434 The tour of the Soviet Union (now Russia) consisted of six shows, three in Moscow and three in Leningrad. In Leningrad, the tour took place on August 2, 3 and 5, 1987. Shooting for this video was conducted on August 2, 1987 in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). I know about this because a close friend of mine was at this show and she kept the ticket from this concert. In this video, she is three seconds in the frame... «Joel had played a tour in Europe prior to the tour in the Soviet Union, and was being interviewed during the day. As a result, his voice became hoarse... It has been estimated that Joel lost more than US$1 million of his own money on the trip and concerts.» (Wikipedia)

[@iainsmith2434]

@@Aleksei.Jakuba okay, so he played Sydney on May 22nd, I was there, and played 8 in total just in Sydney, and others in each state capital. He returned in November for an encore tour (I just checked ) and played another 8 sell out concerts in Sydney ( I went again). So if he did a European tour then Russia before returning it’s no wonder his voice was a little hoarse. He might have lost money on the tour, but sales of Kohupet CDs and videos and the high grade videos on KZbin have surely made at least that much over the years.

[@Aleksei.Jakuba]

@@iainsmith2434 He lost money only on tour in the USSR. Western artists weren't paid much in the Soviet Union. Billy made good money on touring Europe and Australia. On May 19, 2014 this show was issued on DVD/Blu-ray Disc: «Billy Joel: A Matter of Trust - The Bridge to Russia: The Concert (1987)». I bought it because it featured footage of my close girlfriend. I would like to ask you about the differences between the show in Sydney and the show in Leningrad. Big difference?

[@iainsmith2434]

@@Aleksei.Jakuba I have that DVD and the show was basically the same with a few extras like Back in the USSR and Times They Are Changing. They actually incorporated those in the encore show and possibly dropped a couple of songs that required high range, but still did Uptown Girl but using a backup singer on the high register, which he didn’t do on the first tour. Apologised for doing so, but I don’t believe there were any complaints. Actually the sound was fantastic quality, better than other shows I had been to before that.

[@davey_squires]

Liberty is such an animated drummer! I love it!

[@cnyweathertainment5075]

So so glad for this upload. Every human is having the time of their lives! Love it! Outstanding performance!

[@robindew9072]

Billy has awesome enery. Man Billy has skills

[@robertkysilka3216]

so fun to watch every member of the band show off, and the audience loving it. Musicians all

[@MagnumMuscle1000]

This entire show is amazing.

[@MatthewBillyJoelBootlegs]

0:38 - This angle is fantastic. Billy and the band are amazing here!

[@billyjoellivealbums8654]

Lol just found you digging through the comments

[@AndresMagnone]

Nice

[@FranciscoJose-sz1vo]

The cuality is so good, this looks like an movie

[@AdamSandaver]

Gold

[@Riviers]

Billy Joel is the Grand

[@MrZeshawn41]

Dont forget Rivera papa

[@Riviers]

@@MrZeshawn41 indy indy, Mark is also the grandest of the grand

[@khurramakhteronline]

Real is always real, Great performance!

[@stacygrenier7932]

Fav song

[@julieb2968]

From way back I've loved this song!!!!!!

[@marinfamily2010]

This is 1987? Are you kidding me? The video quality is crazy. Brings great memories of my teenage years

[@Aleksei.Jakuba]

Have you been to this concert? In Leningrad (St. Petersburg) on ​​August 2, 1987?

[@remington950]

Wish I was this energetic when i sing.

[@BillyWhizzle]

This performance was powered by cocaine

[@Aleksei.Jakuba]

@@BillyWhizzle In Leningrad?))) In Soviet Union?))) In 1987?))) Cocaine?)))

[@evanstrope6915]

the billy joel account posts at exavtly 12:01 am for me and i love it

[@armaanbhojwani2677]

They probably schedule their releases for a certain time in their own time zone... it is pretty cool that in your time zone it happens exactly as the new day begins

[@sheltr9735]

Good G-d! With all of the fabric from those oversized, big-shouldered 1980's outfits, Billy Joel could have just left behind the band's clothing, which could have helped fund the USSR's needs for Y-E-A-R-S!! LOL Great, great song! Great, great version!

[@tobymccreadie983]

Awestruck!

[@riccardoangeli802]

Talento musicalità brio .... Per Piano Man la musica e' un gioco facile 🎹👏

[@angelashepherd4429]

One of the best performers in concert. Live him. ❤

[@2Wheels_NYC]

In my top 3 from Billy, and a damn fun song!

[@mamut0106]

Unforgetable, amazing visit and concerts! (watching my dvd very often)

[@scienceman2024]

RIP Doug Stegmeyer

[@titangaming9259]

Piano man is my favorite

[@lilianacaetano2866]

My idol ❤️

[@lilianacaetano2866]

@Joel Billy Thank you for your talent ,Mr Billy...

[@JoannaDeGrootNichols]

Lots of memories on Mulberry Street I❤NY - you are missed 🙏🏼💛🙏🏼

[@rosalinhares5488]

Artista impressionante . Contagiante na beleza energia sem igual. Só wonderful. great band .great artist.

[@riccardoangeli802]

Piano Man può TUTTO

[@gemster18]

Wow....so amazing..Joel is timeless.. also it seems so weird seeing all the people in the audience! A world without Covid-19...🤔

[@Tolstoy111]

It was a world with a police state. :). USSR...

[@helen6103]

Gemster18 Absolutely superb! Their joy is infectious & heartwarming to watch. No mobile phones either, just completely immersed in the wonderful performance. Thank you Billy Joel & all involved in this underrated yet unique historic event 💖🌟💝

[@benh1496]

Incredible 💯💯

[@ApocalypseKurtz]

Hey now I ain't a bad guyyyyhhhhhh

[@PeopleMakePictures]

It's a song you need to play on the album for weeks to realise it's catchy great Like Bowie's "Stone Love".

[@seanscanlon9067]

2:42 Playing air drums, Viktor the circus clown from the song Leningrad that Billy later wrote about him.

[@junebermingham9300]

l Love Billy Joel,

[@ebenclukey7293]

I see David Brown on stage and it brings me back. We were in high school band at Pentucket Regional High School in Massachusetts together. After graduation he moved to New York. Playing in a dive bar one night a guy approached him and said "Billy Joel is looking for a guitarist" Dave said something like "Sure and by the way my name is Jesus Christ." A couple months later David was in Japan, not only Billy's guitarist but his musical director. I remember many concerts attended with David's family, his brother Derek and back stage craziness. I went on the run to get beer for Billy's thirty fifth birthday bash. But what I remember most was a guy who seemed amused by his fame. Billy saw himself as a piano player and beer drinker. He thought "Piano Man" was nothing more than a simple Irish limerick put to music. He kind of made fun of the whole thing. But he went on to be a national treasure.

[@howtodoitdude1662]

David Brown is not on this tour.

[@homeone4054]

Kevin Dukes I think

[@evanstrope6915]

also billy is so good in this performance ))),: ugh i love him

[@chrisf5828]

One of my favorite live performances of anyone, ever. Side note: Russel Javers (sp?) looks so much like young Steve Martin it is distracting.

[@jade-br1xx]

LOVE IT!

[@rosalinhares5488]

Very very cool

[@carmenfalette5942]

Love it!

[@c4lderone649]

TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT! Yeah!

[@clarainesfernandez4026]

Super increíble 👏👏👍

[@billyjoel786]

Hello Clara, Is nice meeting you here. How're you doing? Thanks for the love and support for years ❤️.

[@davecoalwood9487]

Great Tune.

[@avavincent9481]

If only we could get that time back when music had us on better terms with Russia 😵‍💫

[@kinkaidphoto]

Anybody else see the episode of Moonlighting that featurted this great tune? I fell in love with it then.

[@robynstewardson]

Nope!! Name of the episode??

[@jeannineasselin2804]

@@robynstewardson kzbin.info/www/bejne/fonZnJxrgrCDd6s

[@robynstewardson]

@@jeannineasselin2804 THANK YOU! That doesn't look like Cybil Shephard dancing to me. And Willis is clearly not a natural, but does a passing job of it. 😊

[@jeannineasselin2804]

@@robynstewardson We see Cybill Shepherd at the end only. It really is her.

[@robynstewardson]

@@jeannineasselin2804 yes, me, too. I saw a comment that referred to her dancing skills and being an all-rounder. That's when i went back and had another look. Dancer is def not her imo.

[@riccardoangeli802]

Che talento smisurato ... Nessuno può far meglio di Piano MAN ... Purtroppo nemmeno lui stesso ... Da più di 40 anni lo seguo ... È' il migliore ... Dopo di lui Elton John e Stevie Wonder

[@leonardomacedo6261]

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

[@neidemonteiro9810]

I love tou💝💝💝💖💖💖

[@billyjoel786]

Hello Neide Monterio, Is nice meeting you here. How're you doing? Thanks for the love and support for years ❤️.

[@danielluera3583]

Love this video

[@VolkerundWallyMusic]

Great Video

[@princessehautdefrance3206]

De France je l'aime...suis je la seule ?

[@lauraimla5848]

non :)

[@princessehautdefrance3206]

Merci Laura, je me sens moins seule 😎

[@jeannineasselin2804]

Non pas la seule! Du Québec aussi. Je l’ai vu 2 fois à Montréal. Il est incroyable. Un talent exceptionnel!

[@Swizzenator]

Very few equals.

[@roderickboker4757]

Looks like it was yesterday.

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

How’d they get that video quality???? They didn’t have 4K back then!

[@narrabeenstudent7027]

PianoMan 2018 because it was originally shot on film, which can be easily remastered

[@narrabeenstudent7027]

Not video cassette like most other videos of this time

[@Aleksei.Jakuba]

On May 19, 2014 it was issued on DVD/Blu-ray Disc: «Billy Joel: A Matter of Trust - The Bridge to Russia: The Concert (1987)».

[@narrabeenstudent7027]

@@Aleksei.Jakuba that has no relation to what he said

[@Aleksei.Jakuba]

@@narrabeenstudent7027 The videotape was so well processed that I saw my girlfriend among the audience. I would not have seen her on the video cassette.

[@jervettaburns9374]

Anyone know who is singing back up in this performance? I can’t see them

[@CitrusFinn]

in the parts where you can hear 2 voices, Billy drops the octave and the person singing the higher part is Peter Hewlett; you can see him in the very back on the right, behind billy, wearing a blue button up and a black shirt behind the other other keyboard

[@jervettaburns9374]

@@CitrusFinnthank you. 😊

[@massimilianolilli693]

Al Sassofono?

[@ThrilltimeHeadache]

2:58

[@antgreenhough5821]

Man's a bit effing good.

[@marinfamily2010]

The keyboard player is killing ants with his feet at 5:06

[@helen6103]

Jorge Lorna Marin Brilliantly unique metaphor!!

[@massimilianolilli693]

come si chiama il Sassofonista?

[@howtodoitdude1662]

Mike Rivera

[@sithlordmikeyp]

Nice to see Russell and Doug before he fucking fired them. This was the end of the original Lords of 52nd Street in my opinion. Long live the Lords and RIP Mr. Stegmeyer. You are sorely missed, Mr. Man-at-Arms.

[@anthonylabarbera3656]

I think the backup keyboarder stole the show

[@progleader]

6 people don't know what day it is.

[@user-rt4og9ci2o]

Early