Man in the Mirror
Andraé Crouch Choir; Carvin Winans; Marvin Winans; Michael Jackson; Michael Winans; Ronald Winans; S Lyrics
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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
I see the kids in the streets
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind?
Pretending not to see their needs
A summer 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
I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
It's time that I realize
That 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
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
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
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 that
Change!
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
(Oh yeah!)
I'm asking him to change his ways
(Better 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
You can't close your, your mind!
(Then you close your, mind!)
That man, that man, that man, that man
With the man in the mirror
(Man in the mirror, oh yeah!)
That man, that man, that man
I'm asking him to change his ways
(Better 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
Oh no, no no
I'm gonna make a change
It's gonna feel real good!
Chime on!
(Change)
Just lift yourself
You know
You've got to stop it
Yourself!
(Yeah! Make that change!)
I've got to make that change, today!
Hoo!
(Man in the mirror)
You got to
You got to not let 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 to move! Chime on!
Chime on!
You got to
Stand up! Stand up! Stand up!
(Yeah! Make that change)
Stand up and lift yourself, now!
(Man in the mirror)
You know it!
You know it!
You know it!
You know it
(Change)
Make that change
The song Man in the Mirror by Andrae Crouch Choir advocates for personal responsibility and change to make the world a better place. The lyrics speak to the singer's realization that they cannot ignore the suffering and poverty around them and must take action to make a difference. They acknowledge that they have been 'a victim of a selfish kind of love' but now understand the importance of helping those in need. The chorus urges the listener to start with themselves, 'take a look at yourself and then make a change,' emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and personal accountability.
As the song progresses, the lyrics describe various individuals who are struggling in different ways, from children on the streets to those with no home and no hope. The singer acknowledges that they cannot change the world alone but that every individual has a role to play in making a difference. The repetition of 'that man in the mirror' underscores the message that personal change is necessary for societal transformation.
Overall, Man in the Mirror is a call to action for individuals to take personal responsibility and make a positive impact on the world by starting with themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna make a change
I will change my ways
For once in my life
Because I have never tried before
It's gonna feel real good
I anticipate a positive outcome
Gonna make a difference
I will have a positive impact
Gonna make it right
I will correct past wrongs
As I, turn up the collar on
I adjust my clothing
My favorite winter coat
The clothing I enjoy wearing during cold weather
This wind is blowing my mind
The weather is mentally affecting me
I see the kids in the streets
I observe children outside
With not enough to eat
Without sufficient food
Who am I to be blind?
Why should I pretend not to see their needs?
Pretending not to see their needs
Acting as if I am not aware of their needs
A summer disregard, a broken bottle top
A careless attitude and discarded trash
And a one man soul
A lonesome individual
They follow each other on the wind ya' know
Moved by the direction of the wind
'Cause they got nowhere to go
Because they have no destination
That's why I want you to know
I am sharing my thoughts with you
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I will begin with myself
I'm asking him to change his ways
I am challenging myself to improve
And no message could have been any clearer
The message is unambiguous
If you want to make the world a better place
To improve the world
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
Start with self-improvement
I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
I have experienced selfish affection
It's time that I realize
I must acknowledge
That there are some with no home, not a nickel to loan
Some individuals lack basic necessities
Could it be really me, pretending that they're not alone?
Is it possible that I ignore their solitude?
A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart
Evident distress and heartbreak
And a washed-out dream
An aspiration that is no longer viable
They follow the pattern of the wind ya' see
Their lives are determined by fate
'Cause they got no place to be
Because they are lost
That's why I'm starting with me
I will begin by improving myself
You gotta get it right, while you got the time
Act before it is too late
You can't close your, your mind! (Then you close your, mind!)
You must remain open-minded
That man, that man, that man, that man
A reference to every individual
With the man in the mirror (Man in the mirror, oh yeah!)
With me
I'm asking him to change his ways (Better change!)
Improvement is necessary
You gotta get it right, while you got the time
Act before it is too late
You can't close your, your mind!
You must remain open-minded
Better change!
Change is necessary
Chime on! (Change)
The call for change
Just lift yourself
Improve yourself
You've got to stop it
Cease any poor behavior
Yourself! (Yeah! Make that change!)
Act for self-improvement
I've got to make that change, today! Hoo!
I will implement the change now
(Man in the mirror)
Me
You've got to move! Chime on! Chime on!
Act for change
Stand up! Stand up! Stand up!
Better yourself
(Yeah! Make that change)
Act for self-improvement
Stand up and lift yourself, now! (Man in the mirror)
Better yourself now
You know it! (You know it!)
You are aware
(Change)
Change is necessary
Make that change
Act for self-improvement
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SIEDAH GARRETT, GLEN BALLARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind