Man in the Mirror
BWB Lyrics
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For once I'm 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
(If you want to make the world a better place)
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
(Take a look at yourself, and then make a change)
(Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah)
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
(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
(Starting with me!)
I′m starting with the man in the mirror
(Ooh!)
I'm asking him to change his ways
(Ooh!)
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
(If you want to make the world a better place)
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
(Take a look at yourself, and then make a change)
I′m starting with the man in the mirror
(Ooh!)
I'm asking him to change his ways
(Change his ways, ooh!)
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
(Take a look at yourself and then make that)
Change!
I′m starting with the man in the mirror
(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)
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!)
You know, that man
No message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
(If you want to make the world a better place)
Take a look at yourself and then make the change
(Take a look at yourself and then make the change)
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah
(Ooh)
Oh no, no no
I'm gonna make a change
It′s gonna feel real good!
Come 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
You've got to
You′ve got to move! Come on!
Come on!
You got to
Stand up! Stand up! Stand up!
(Yeah! Make that change)
Stand up and lift yourself, now!
(Man in the mirror)
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Aw!
(Yeah! Make that change!)
Gonna make that change
Come on!
You know it!
You know it!
You know it!
You know it
(Change)
Make that change.
The song "Man In The Mirror" by BWB is an empowering and inspiring anthem calling for personal accountability and action to make the world a better place. The song is a call to each individual to start the change from within and take personal responsibility for the collective social issues faced by society.
The first verse expresses a resolve to make a change for once in one's life, emphasizing that it will feel good to make a difference and put things right. The second verse paints a vivid picture of the reality of poverty and social inequality, inviting personal reflection on one's own role in being blind to such issues. The chorus emphasizes that to make the world a better place, one must start with oneself and take a good, hard look in the mirror before trying to change the world.
Overall, the song is a poignant reminder that true change must first start with oneself before one can expect the world to change. It encourages us to be active participants in society and to take ownership of our individual responsibility to be a positive force for change in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I′m gonna make a change,
I am going to change for the better
For once in my life
For the first time ever
It′s gonna feel real good,
I am going to feel great
Gonna make a difference
I am going to have an impact
Gonna make it right
I am going to correct what is wrong
As I, turn up the collar on
As I put up my coat collar
My favorite winter coat
My favorite coat to wear in cold weather
This wind is blowing my mind
The wind is really affecting me
I see the kids in the streets,
I see children who live on the streets
With not enough to eat
Who do not have enough food to eat
Who am I to be blind?
I should not ignore their situation
Pretending not to see their needs
I should not act like I don't notice their needs
A summer disregard, a broken bottle top
People being careless with trash
And a one man soul
One person going through life alone
They follow each other on the wind ya' know
They just keep moving aimlessly
'Cause they got nowhere to go
Because they do not have a destination
That′s why I want you to know
This is why I am telling you
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I am starting with myself
I'm asking him to change his ways
I want myself to be different
And no message could have been any clearer
This message could not be more obvious
If you want to make the world a better place
If you want to improve the world
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
Start with yourself and make changes
(Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah)
n/a
I′ve been a victim of a selfish kind of love
I have experienced a selfish love
It's time that I realize
It is important for me to understand
That there are some with no home, not a nickel to loan
Some people do not have a home or any money
Could it be really me, pretending that they′re not alone?
Am I ignoring their situation?
A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart
People hurt and upset
And a washed-out dream
People with lost hopes or dreams
(Washed-out dream)
n/a
They follow the pattern of the wind ya′ see
They move with the wind
'Cause they got no place to be
As they do not have anywhere to go
That's why I′m starting with me
This is why I am starting with myself
(Starting with me!)
n/a
(Ooh!)
n/a
(If you want to make the world a better place)
n/a
(Change his ways, ooh!)
n/a
I′m starting with the man in the mirror
I am starting with myself
(Man in the mirror, oh yeah!)
n/a
(Better change!)
n/a
You know, that man
You know, myself
(You can′t close your, your mind!)
n/a
(Then you close your, mind!)
n/a
(Man, that man, that man, that man)
n/a
(With the man in the mirror)
n/a
(Man in the mirror, oh yeah!)
n/a
(Change!)
n/a
(Yeah! Make that change!)
n/a
(You know it!)
n/a
(Brother)
n/a
(Hoo!)
n/a
You've got to
You must
(Stand up! Stand up! Stand up!)
n/a
Stand up and lift yourself, now!
Get up and improve yourself
(Better change!)
n/a
(Gonna make that change)
n/a
(Come on!)
n/a
(Change)
n/a
Writer(s): Siedah Garrett, Glen Ballard
Contributed by Eli V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.