The Man
Пол Маккартни & Michael Jackson Lyrics


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I'm gonna make a change
For once in my life
It's gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right

As I turn up the collar on
My favorite winter coat
This wind is blowing my mind
I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind?
Pretending not to see their need

A summer's disregard, a broken bottle top
And a one man soul
They follow each other on the wind, ya know
'Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na

I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
It's time that I realize
There are some with no home, not a nickel to loan
Could it be really me pretending that they're not alone?

A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart
And a washed-out dream (washed-out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind, ya see
'Cause they got no place to be
That's why I'm starting with me

I'm starting with the man in the mirror (who?)
I'm asking him to change his ways (who?)
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change

I'm starting with the man in the mirror (who?)
I'm asking him to change his ways (who?)
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that change

I'm starting with the man in the mirror (oh yeah)
I'm asking him to change his ways (he's gonna change)
No message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make the change
You gotta get it right while you got the time
'Cause when you close heart (you can't close your)
Then you close your mind (your mind)

That man, that man, that man (with the man in the mirror, oh yeah)
That man, that man, that man (I'm asking him to change his ways)
That man (gonna change)
That man, that man (no message could have been any clearer)
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, then make a change

Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo (na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na)
Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo (ooh, gonna feel real good, yeah)
Oh yeah (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na

Oh no, I'm gonna make a change
It's gonna feel real good
Shamone (change)
Just lift yourself, you know
You've got to stop him yourself, woo (yeah, make that change)
I gotta make that change, today, hoo (man in the mirror)
You got to, you got to not pick yourself, brother, hoo
(Yeah, make that change) you know
I've got to get that man, that man (man in the mirror)
You've got, you've to move, shamone, shamone
You got to stand up, stand up (yeah, make that change)
Stand up, stand up and lift yourself, now (man in the mirror)
Hoo, hoo, hoo, ow (yeah, make that change)
Go make that change, shamone (man in the mirror)




You know it, you know it, you know it, you know (change)
Make that change

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "The Man in the Mirror" by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson speak to the desire for personal change and taking responsibility for making a difference in the world. The singer expresses a realization that there are pressing social issues and individuals suffering around them, and they cannot ignore the need for change any longer.


The song begins with the singer acknowledging the need for change and their intention to make a difference. They recognize that it will feel good and have a positive impact. The image of turning up the collar on their favorite winter coat implies a readiness to face the realities of the world and the harshness of the wind blowing their mind.


The lyrics then delve into the observation of children on the street who are suffering from poverty and hunger. The singer questions their own blindness and refusal to acknowledge the plight of those in need. They admit to pretending not to see the need and acknowledges how unjust it is.


The second verse describes the singer's realization of their own selfish love and the importance of recognizing the loneliness and lack of support experienced by others. The use of a broken heart and a washed-out dream further emphasizes the pain and hopelessness that some people endure.


Throughout the song, the message becomes clear: in order to make a better world, one must start with oneself. The repeated line, "I'm starting with the man in the mirror," emphasizes the importance of personal reflection and self-improvement. By changing oneself and becoming aware of one's own actions and beliefs, it sets the foundation for making a broader impact and inspiring others to do the same.


In conclusion, "The Man in the Mirror" is a powerful anthem encouraging individual responsibility for creating positive change. It highlights the need to confront personal shortcomings and blind spots while recognizing and empathizing with the struggles of others.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna make a change
I am determined to bring about a positive transformation


For once in my life
This will be the first time I take action


It's gonna feel real good
The result will bring immense satisfaction


Gonna make a difference
I aim to have a meaningful impact


Gonna make it right
I will correct the wrongs and make things right


As I turn up the collar on
With my winter coat's collar raised


My favorite winter coat
The coat I cherish the most


This wind is blowing my mind
The wind is overwhelming my thoughts


I see the kids in the street
I notice the children on the street


With not enough to eat
Struggling with insufficient food


Who am I to be blind?
Why should I ignore their suffering?


Pretending not to see their need
Acting like I don't notice their plight


A summer's disregard, a broken bottle top
Disregarding the carefree nature of summer, symbolized by a broken bottle top


And a one man soul
Representing the individual spirit


They follow each other on the wind, ya know
They move in unison with the wind, you see


'Cause they got nowhere to go
Because they lack a destination


That's why I want you to know
This is why I feel the need to tell you


I'm starting with the man in the mirror
My journey begins by changing myself


I'm asking him to change his ways
I request my own self to alter my actions


And no message could have been any clearer
No communication could have been more evident


If you want to make the world a better place
If you desire to improve the world


Take a look at yourself and then make a change
Analyze yourself and initiate a transformation




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Glen Ballard, Siedah Garrett

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Alexandre Michael

The Man (Esse é o cara!)

There's a man
Who plays the game of life so well
There's such a man
His thoughts you can never tell
And it's just the way he thought it would be
'Cause the day has come for him to be free
Then he laughs, he kicks and rolls up his sleeves
I'm alive and I'm here forever
This is the man
There's a man
Everybody thought they knew
There's such a man
He's not like me and you
And it's just the way she thought it would be
As he says, something has happened to me
Then he laughs, he kicks and rolls up his sleeves
I'm alive and I'm here forever
This is the man
And it's just the way he thought it would be
'Cause the day has come for him to be free
Then he laughs, he kicks and rolls up his sleeves
I'm alive and I'm here forever
This is the man
Did you know, this man can do anything?
There's such a man
I wish that we could bring
There's a man
Everybody thought they knew
There's such a man
He's not like me and you
And it's just the way she thought it would be
As he says, something has happened to me
Then he laughs, he kicks and rolls up his sleeves
I'm alive and I'm here forever
This is the man
This is the man [Repeat x 3]
Compositores: Michael Jackson / Paul Mccartney
The Man © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc



All comments from YouTube:

cellini051

I love this song. I love "Say Say Say" and "The Girl Is Mine" too and I wish this one had more appreciation! They wrote three amazing songs together.

amy clarke

Pity they fell out on this beatle saga 😵

AlexKx

More than that! Michael covered McCartney's, "Girlfriend", on "Off The Wall".

Cocoa Femme

@amy clarke: Heart breaking 💔 💔💔😭😭🥺!!

Luciana luh

Também amo essas músicas!

Patricia Beristain

You are totally right, I think exactly the same.

8 More Replies...

K. BiNi

I just discovered this beautiful gem about 3 weeks ago. Didn't know there was another Michael and Paul song.

César Madero

There's a song called "The Girl is Mine" too

Pop Whirl TV

No one knew

Vitor Junior

And mostly of these songs were recorded between 1980 and 1981. Tug of War was launched in '82 and Pipes of Peace, in '83.

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