Mirror in the bathroom
Please talk free
The door is locked
Just you and me
Can I take you to a restaurant
That's got glass tables?
You can watch yourself
While you are eating

Mirror in the bathroom
I just can't stop it
Every Saturday you see me
Window shopping
Find no interest in the
Racks and shelves
Just a thousand reflections
Of my own sweet self, self, self, self, self

Mirror in the bathroom
You're my mirror in the bathroom
You're my mirror in the bathroom
You're my mirror in the bathroom

Mirror in the bathroom
Recompense
For all my crimes
Of self defense
Cures you whisper
Make no sense
Drift gently into
Mental illness

Mirror in the bathroom
Please talk free
The door is locked
Just you and me
Can I take you to a restaurant
That's got glass tables
You can watch yourself
While you are eating

Mirror in the bathroom
Mirror in the bathroom
Mirror in the bathroom
Mirror in the bathroom
Mirror in the bathroom
Mirror in the bathroom

Overall Meaning

"Mirror in the Bathroom" by The English Beat is a song about self-obsession, vanity and the desire to impress others through appearance. The song begins with the singer inviting someone to join him in front of the mirror, asking them to talk freely, while the door is locked. The singer's request to take the other person to a restaurant with glass tables indicates his desire to be seen and admired by others, as he can watch himself while he eats.

The second verse of the song focuses on the singer's obsession with his own reflection. He admits that he can't stop staring at himself in the mirror, whether he is window shopping or not. He finds no interest in the clothes or items on the racks and shelves, but instead is drawn to looking at his own reflection, and seeing "a thousand reflections of my own sweet self".

The final verse of the song deals with feelings of guilt and self-defense, and the idea that the mirror in the bathroom is a form of recompense for these feelings. The singer suggests that the mirror can provide a way to fix or cure oneself, despite the fact that the whispered cures "make no sense". The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, reminding listeners of the singer's obsession with mirrors and self-image.

Line by Line Meaning

Mirror in the bathroom
The presence of a mirror in the bathroom

Please talk free
Please speak your mind without hesitation

The door is locked
We are in a private space with limited access

Just you and me
We are the only ones present in this moment

Can I take you to a restaurant That's got glass tables?
May I invite you to a restaurant that has glass tables?

You can watch yourself While you are eating
You can observe your own reflection while you dine

I just can't stop it Every Saturday you see me Window shopping
I can't help myself from engaging in repetitive window shopping every Saturday

Find no interest in the Racks and shelves
I don't have any attraction towards the products on display

Just a thousand reflections Of my own sweet self, self, self, self, self
I am drawn towards my own multiple reflections and narcissistic self-love

Recompense For all my crimes Of self defense
The mirror is a compensation for my defensive behavior where I have to act tough and not express my inner self

Cures you whisper Make no sense Drift gently into Mental illness
The self-help advice given to me by the mirror doesn't seem practical and it leads to my decline in mental health

Mirror in the bathroom
The presence of a mirror in the bathroom

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: David Frederick Wakeling, Everett Morton, David Steele, Andy Cox, Roger Charlery

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@kevinprior3549

12w

Mirror in the bathroom, please talk free
The door is locked, just you and me
Can I take you to a restaurant that's got glass tables?
You can watch yourself while you are eating
Mirror in the bathroom, I just can't stop it
Every Saturday you see me window shopping
Find no interest in the racks and shelves
Just ten thousand reflections of my own sweet self
Mirror in the bathroom
You're my mirror in the bathroom
You're my mirror in the bathroom
You're my mirror in the bathroom
Mirror in the bathroom recompense
For all my crimes of self defense
Cures you whisper make no sense
Drift gently into mental illness
Mirror in the bathroom, please talk free
The door is locked, just you and me
Can I take you to a restaurant that's got glass tables?
You can watch yourself while you are eating
Mirror in the bathroom
Mirror in the bathroom
Mirror in the bathroom
Mirror in the bathroom
Mirror in the bathroom
Mirror in the bathroom

All comments from YouTube:

@rakshaali5411

4w↑6

One hell of a song.Way way way ahead of its time.

@jet07son

13w↑16

just love the way ranking roger dances

@dbradx

5y↑72

RIP Ranking Roger - safe journey to the next gig.

@eviljigglypuff2254

2y↑2

Word. Ranking Roger all day until the end of time

@davidg.9932

3y↑35

Happy 65th Birthday Dave Wakeling. 19 February 1956 Birmingham, England.
I always loved that Two Tone / Reggae playing style you have. ie.. The Specials / The Skatalites

@paddyodwyer7633

3y↑3

Cant beat some ska

@ruthdixon7807

17w↑30

the beat's finest record.

@lowellmichels5792

3y↑31

I remember dancing with a smokie, dark haired girl to this song. It was at Berkeley Square around 1984. I remember the smell of clove cigarettes and tequila. This is one of my favorite songs ever! Thank you✌

@chriscatton705

3y↑3

wow that comment brings me back. I can picture it perfectly

@irisbjones

3w↑1

Cloves! Haha

@pjpugapillarfan2750

12w↑12

I used to luv this song in the 80s its 2024 rock on God Bless

@NigelWillmott

15w↑24

A Mod classic. It deserves 100 million 'likes'.

@jenhasnohandle

1y↑22

English Beat is still my jam! Grateful to have this to get me through January 2023 🖤

@radcliffeweir6385

50w↑33

Ground breaking fusion of cultural music which reflected the social climate back in the day....ahead of their time...true pioneers.....LOVE IT!👍🏾

@royalerathcliff5703

... The Specials & Madness!!

@rogerchamberlain271

3y↑15

best ska band out of late seventies early eighties ska revival

@freehermanjose5816

and best band ever

@alannangle4320

3y↑20

My best friend and I got to see them rehearse and then play live just before the main Act the specials we were both just 17 yrs old watching our idols both bands were magnificent and in there prime, the gig took place in the stardust Artane Dublin 1981 were tragically 48 young people lost there lives in a fire a number of days later, we Dedicate this memorie to our friend we lost and those injured and lost never to be forgotten,

@alannangle4320

3y↑1

@@deonlymero Hi Deon sorry to here you lost a friend and work colleague in that tragic event a new inquest is been open up this year after many years of family's and relitives campaign, let's hope they get there Answers,

@StaffsTransport

5y↑71

A perfect pop single.
Energy and joy to spare, and an edge to the lyrics, with a dash of West Midlands humour too.
Saxa absolutely terrific.
Dave Steele, as usual, exemplary

if I could take one record to heaven...

I would dance there...

@madmonty6099

5y↑2

Man if only it were pop

@uprsng44

4y↑6

Ska

@toddpacker4683

3y↑1

@@madmonty6099 he means at Its core its a pop song

@jacobpeters5458

14w

replace "mirror" with the n-word and it becomes super funny lol

@ruthcarter1360

2y↑16

great music great clubs great people, the 70's and 80's were a total blast ❤️👍

@paultaylor9934

1y↑17

Once sung this to my wife when we first met and said I made it just for her ? For years I let her believe until she heard it on the radio 😂😂😂 she thought it was so funny when she confronted me about it. 😊

@donnabeattiedreamerbydesign

1y↑1

😂

@SuckasNeverPlayMe

43w

😂 Lmao.... Well in!... Cheered me up reading that mate 😂

@cyanginpedro

2y↑11

Been playing this nonstop for the past week… 🤯👏

@billybupkis3688

39w↑5

Saw Dave and the band last weekend. Great show Dave. This was the encore.

@Lauren_MUFC16

3y↑15

This is such a banger 👌🏻

@kelei89

7w↑1

I love this song, but I'm also just fascinated by seeing a time before the internet/social media and cellphones.

@davidneal9368

4y↑12

I still listed to the 80' stuff. Especially the first part of the eighties.

@michaelryan6947

30w↑1

Everytime i hear that drum intro..."yer f*#!@kin Dancer!" Puts a smile as wide as the ocean on my face😊

@kaiboyle4369

26w↑4

This was life changing,

@randypaddock6506

5y↑8

I luv the sax bit in this song.

@stevelanemusic4463

46w↑3

This is the first song I heard of theirs. I was hooked. Still am.

@jockharcourt9936

5y↑10

Saw them in San Diego when I was 18. Amazing concert

@darienhigh

2y↑1

Yeah Dave Wakeling is a local here now, has been for many years

@schatziedeluca-dixon5302

7y↑17

Another great song by The Beat! I love the video. Thanks for taking me back to a good place. Nicely done 🕶 👍

@racenemo

3y↑17

Mirror in the bathroom
Selfie before all selfies
Still makes me swing

@kevinprior3549

12w↑1

Whenever i go to Birmingham i do tend to think of this track quite a lot.

@paolieta

I didn't lived yet when this song came out, but whenever I hear it, I can feel the atmosphere of the early 80's 🖤🤍 It's one of my favourite songs of all time 🤍🖤

@bobbydraper4499

9w↑1

Love the Eighties. Great band

@mikeyates7931

2y↑69

Fun Fact : Everytime this song plays Benny The Jet Urquidis gets stabbed in the throat with a pen

@roslynagaltsova6358

36w↑2

Stilleto days

@anthonyrumph2230

33w

Can you elaborate on this comment. I'm very interested.

@jbogoe

33w↑19

Gross Pointe Blank

@mikeyates7931

33w

@@jbogoe 👍

@blackievasquez9280

18w↑8

Favorite cinema fight scene of all time.

11 More Replies...

@lowbottomy_4839

1y↑4

Masterpiece

@robertthompson3941

1y↑5

I WISH that I could have SEEN them LIVE!!!!!!

@astasollilja677

You still can! They're touring! I am going to see them on the 26th!

@kandigloss6438

41w↑1

@@astasollilja677 It's essentially a different band though isn't it? Looking into the modern version and it seems the only original member is Dave Wakeling.

Edit: Oh never mind, that's the American version, the UK version is still around as well with Rankin's son and the surviving members. Too bad that version only plays in the UK though.

@oludotunjohnshowemimo434

12w↑1

Classic banger by The Beat

@skating1293

3y↑6

Love this song,great band

@brianofarrell4982

41w↑1

imagine playing that Bass all day ? iHear all days.

@howardrussell3919

A restaurant/bar/nightclub called "The Top Of The Line" on the top floor of a hotel in Waikiki in the early 80's. Me and my buddies were wrecked and jamming! Other records during that time: "Another Bites the Dust" by Queen, "Original Sin" by INXS, "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, and "My Ever Changing Moods" by Style Council. Dang, that was a long time ago...!!

@harleyguzz4301

17w

I was a Greaser in this period but loved this Track, now many years on , still a biker and still love this , music is music,

@williamandrews4251

2y↑2

A great song mirrors my feelings exactly.

@DJarry394

15w

Saw them twice. In Phoenix and later in Santa Monica. Before Rankin Roger passed away. RIP Roger!😢

@barrygaynor1025

1y↑2

Terrific!

@alext.9527

42w↑2

I hear this awesome song and all I can think of is the movie, 'Grosse Point Blank' with John Cusack. ....oh yeah & my teen years back in the 80s.

@marbleblue5127

Best 80s pop music sax in The Beat

@giraffebecky

3y↑3

SO GOOD!

@richardjacques8239

14w

omg yes,old stuff loved my time in uk

@theendofmytether

2y↑2

Come and play in Barcelona please!

@markchurch5273

42w

Memory's fly back. Good on ya boys.

@jeremyhodge6216

4y↑4

Love the song. First time hearing it😏

@sopwithcamelus

Lucky you. I have great memories of this band.

@OnlineSafety-ng7et

Big tune!!!!

@DIRE_BAT4983

15w↑2

🛁🪞🚽 👀 Mirror in tha Bathroom will always have a a place in my Heart 💗 & Bathroom 🥳

@archimedesscrew3710

Saxa, what a player...

@BlackrockKate

20w

So incredibly good

@andrewheywood9737

2y↑1

English beat at the women's club on st Ann's street....fkn LAGUNA bro...
ranking roger....yewwww....

@butwhydoe4020

22w

This is my jam.

@donovanphillips4973

Still awesome 2024 🎉

@garywilliams5420

14w

Sweet, So Good 👍 🎉❤

@thedjreffa

4y↑4

1ST GIG I WAS TAKEN TO, AT TEN!!

@suzi8277

wow lucky you🎷❤️

@user-zv8lt5gg6q

11w↑12

One of the godfathers of punk.....fucking sick band....wish they had a bigger catalogue but the music they laid down was something special

@rollomaughfling380

8w↑1

This album came out in 1980. Punk Rock had come and gone. This is post-punk.

@TheMusicalElitist

This is Ska.

@TheMusicalElitist

@@rollomaughfling380This is Ska.

@AnAdorableWombat

This is Ska Revival

@chriscatton705

3y↑2

I always felt connected to Rankin Roger

@johnreyes1749

37w

What a song🤗 but I didn’t know Stevie Wonder played drums on this jam😎

@johnshoesmith2646

14w

Love ,ska ,mod ,top music

@curtisalleyne3710

Reminds of my 1980s youth days 😂

@markjamesmeli2520

45w

Whoa! Suddenly it's 1980 and I'm a sophomore in high school!!

@karlcrash

6w↑2

It’s basically what Fugazi were trying to do but they couldn’t afford a sax

@ant01plim

46w

Brill.

@donaldteed35

19w

The actual recording has more dynamic range than 1950's speakers we are hearing it through in this video. I don't know why there seems to be a hunt on to exclude anything with quality audio from being put out on YouTube.

@paulbridle9692

49w

Lovin YouTube I'm musiç mad . much respect 🎉

@donnabeattiedreamerbydesign

❤

@mattmccail3590

12w

Yeah. It's a fucking cool song and everyone is involved. Wow. Good on the Beat, and keep good feet!

@jambasham9347

16w↑1

WHAT A FUCKIN BANGER

@neuvocastezero1838

41w

TBF, bathroom have great acoustics.

@richgroh3623

4y↑3

The hardest thing to do is learn how to live with the mirror in the bathroom...It's only you. It's all in your head. That doesn't mean it's not real

@alessandrosouzzasouzza7881

2y↑1

ALESSANDRO DE SOUZA SAÚDE PARÁ TODOS OS SERES vivo e os seres mortos vivos com todo respeito

@nicolerathe7543

2y↑1

💖😘

@Fac323JQ

4y↑2

Not only Duran Duran played in the runner.....1 for the Brummies

@paulburrows6617

14w

RANKING ROGER AND THE BEAT ARE THE BEST.........

@RayhanAhmed-qr3vz

31w↑1

Seems like public toilets in London 🎉😂😮😊

@laurasharman5425

You first

@sean367

21w

Went to see these guys in Toronto in 2023.....they never showed

@royalerathcliff5703

7w↑1

English Beat >>> REM

@tezza996

have i missed something the english beat WTf it is the Beat

@thepaulhenderson

1y↑1

Great Classic Song, Once Its Remastered in 4K It Will Garner A Million Views In Its First Year, and this tired old version can be retired!

@nopants3560

Fucking awesome !! what bugs me today , is that the youngsters think us old people are idiot racists ! Before I was born "Sly and the family stone " were bringing the people together and this ,along with "The Specials " etc. was the UK multi cultural Bent

@ArrDee49

13w↑2

English Beat??? When tdid they change from The Beat? All my records have them as The Beat! So confusment!

@rollomaughfling380

When the album was released in the US and Canada, where there were already bands (lazily) called "The Beat." The Ozzy incarnation is even worse: "The British Beat"

@mochammadyasser3075

7y↑4

RIP Saxa

@shaunclutt4483

PROPER FUKIN RUDEBOYZ

@MrJonno85

4y↑4

"English Beat"

@markrichards636

3y↑1

The Beat

@jeaninelugo1711

2y↑1

Very strange that I pick this. Noodles 🍜

@alessandrosouzzasouzza7881

2y↑1

ALESSANDRO sujeira PURA

@kevinprior3549

12w

@davidhull1481

41w

I’ve never been quite sure if he’s saying mirror in the bathroom or meet her in the bathroom.

@jorgecotardo6610

48w↑1

2023 ???

@dickturpin9498

48w

Yep! And it’s just “ The Beat”.

@mathiasjonsson8222

2y↑1

Bowling shoes.

@dmanwainright2132

45w↑1

Poor audio, great song

@robertcarpenter3098

13w↑1

Great old song from way back denn azabove described and repeated over and over again exactly superman he switched it al original names descriptions talents and kiss on list the lott of ot azabove described and repeated over and over again 1968 to 2024d ad world 55years in between time itself queen the works the lott 55years in between time itself redd robbearrithe serpentier dub six irl

@franciscojimenez8089

13w

Ante sala d si no fuera por de soda stereo

@jafrytvasia9609

what ever could this song be about?

@jakeholmes8623

13w↑1

This style of music proves although Britain had the most powerful empire in the world how they treated the normal public was as practical slaves very very badly black people were treated in the same was as impoverished white people by the elitist system that still rules Britain to this day even though we’re 4th richest country in the world I’ve seen more absolute poverty in the uk than anywhere in Europe apart from southern Italy which is a similar system Venice Rome Milan? Ridiculously expensive but Naples or the amalfi coast? Third world country no bin men no electricity on the outskirts no jobs people dying of starvation lol all hail the western way