I got the style but not the grace
I got the clothes but not the face
I got the bread but not the butter
I got the window but not the shutter

But I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan, hey, but I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan

I got the house but not the deed
I got the horn but not the reed
I got the cards but not the luck
I got the wheel but not the truck

But hey I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan, but hey, I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan

I got the moon, I got the cheese
I got the whole damn nation on their knees
I got the rooster, I got the crow
I got the ebb, I got the flow

I got the powder but not the gun
I got the dog but not the bun
I got the clouds but not the sky
I got the stripes but not the tie

But hey, I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan

Hey-ho, they love the way I do it
Hey-ho, there's really nothing to it

I got the moon, I got the cheese
I got the whole damn nation on their knees
I got the rooster, I got the crow
I got the ebb, I got the flow

I got the sizzle but not the steak
I got the boat but not the lake
I got the sheets but not the bed
I got the jam but not the bread

But hey, I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan
Hey, I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan
I'm big in Japan


Lyrics submitted by yuri_sucupira, edited by Mellow_Harsher

Big in Japan Lyrics as written by Thomas A. Waits Kathleen Brennan

Lyrics © JALMA MUSIC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Big in Japan song meanings
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    General Comment

    This is a bit of a reference to Spinal Tap. Tom waits is laughingly observing that if you fail to make it commercially in the West (vacuous Beatlemania type fame) then the Jap's will admire and understand you as they are a bit more profound and broad minded with their musical appreciation.

    BarnabyHugheson October 06, 2015   Link

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