Man in the Mirror
Eric Abril Lyrics

I'm gonna make a change
I am committed to making a change

On once in my life
This is something I only plan to do once in my life

It's gonna feel real good
I expect this change to be rewarding

Gonna make a difference
I hope to have a positive impact

Gonna make it right
I intend to correct past mistakes

As I turn up the collar on
I adjust my clothing to protect myself

My favorite winter coat
This is a garment I value and wear in cold weather

This wind is blowing my mind
The wind is influencing my thoughts and feelings

I see the kids in the streets
I observe children who are outside

With not enough to eat
These children lack adequate food

Who am I to be blind
I can't ignore their situation

Pretending not to see their needs?
I shouldn't act as if these kids don't require help

A summer disregard
People not acting responsibly in summer

A broken bottle top
A piece of debris from a bottle that's been broken

And a one man soul
An individual who is alone and struggling

They follow each other on the wind, ya' know
These individuals are moved by external forces

'Cause they got nowhere to go
They have nowhere to be

That's why I want you to know
This is my motivation for sharing my message

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I am beginning with myself and my own actions

I'm asking him to change his ways
I am requesting that I change my habits

And no message could have been any clearer:
This is an unequivocal statement

If you wanna make the world a better place
This is how to improve the state of the world

Take a look at yourself and then make a change
Start with self-examination and then enact positive changes

I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
I have experienced love that was self-centered

It's time that I realize
I understand this is an issue

That there are some with no home
Some people lack adequate shelter

Not a nickel to loan
They don't have any money to lend

Could it be really me
Is this my situation?

Pretending that they're not alone?
Acting as if they have companionship when they don't

A willow deeply scarred
A type of tree with visible wounds

Somebody's broken heart
Someone is suffering from a broken heart

And a washed-out dream
A dream that has faded or failed

They follow the pattern of the wind, ya' see
These individuals are subject to circumstances beyond their control

'Cause they got no place to be
They lack a place to call home

That's why I'm starting with me
I need to make personal changes to help those individuals

(Man in the mirror - oh yeah!)
Further emphasis on looking at oneself

(better change!)
An imperative to do something differently

(If you wanna make the world a better place)
Reiterating how to improve the state of the world

(You gotta get it right, while you got the time)
Act now while there's still an opportunity

('Cause when you close your heart)
When you stop caring

You can't close your, your mind!
You can't stop thinking about what's happening around you

(Then you close your mind!)
When you stop thinking, you can't help anyone

That man, that man, that man, that man
Referring to the 'man in the mirror'

With the man in the mirror
Continuing to encourage self-examination

(Man in the mirror, oh yeah!)
Repetition of the message

I'm asking him to change his ways (better change!)
Reiteration of the need for change

You know... That man
You know the man he is referring to

Come on!
An expression of determination

(change)
Encouraging change in a focused way

Just lift yourself, you know
A pep talk to the listener

You've got to stop it, yourself!
You have the power to make changes

(Yeah! Make that change!)
An explicit expression of support for the idea of self-improvement

I've got to make that change, today!
The desire to change has to become an actual action

(Man in the mirror)
Reiteration of the idea of self-examination

You got to, you got to not let yourself, brother
Don't let yourself get in the way of progress

(Yeah! - make that change!)
Continued support for the message

You know, I've got to get
I need to do something different to improve my situation

That man, that man... (man in the mirror)
Continuation of the message from earlier in the song

You've got to, you've got to move!
Take action and make things happen

Stand up! Stand up! stand up!
Get up and start doing something

(Yeah! - make that change)
Continued encouragement to make changes

Stand up and lift yourself, now!
Rising to the occasion by bettering oneself

(Yeah! - make that change!)
Reiteration of the need for change

Gonna make that change.
Reasserting one's commitment to making progress

Come on! (man in the mirror)
Encouraging self-examination once again

You know it! You know it
Acknowledging the truth of a situation

(Change) make that change
The imperative to take action and make positive strides