Man in the Mirror
Franco Tufano 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)
(Take a look at yourself and then make the change)
(You gotta get it right, while you got the time)
('Cause when you close your heart)
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
(Man in the mirror)
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 lyrics of Franco Tufano's song Man in the Mirror are a call to action for change. The singer acknowledges the role he has played in the world's problems and decides to make a change. He describes putting on his winter coat and seeing children in the streets who are hungry and struggling. He recognizes that he has been blind to these problems and acknowledges his privilege in being able to ignore them. He sees broken bottles and people with no direction, and he feels a need to take action.
The singer turns to the man in the mirror and asks him to change his ways. He knows that he cannot control the actions of others, but he can control his own. He recognizes that his selfish behavior has contributed to the world's problems, and he vows to make things right. He urges others to do the same, to look in the mirror and be honest about their own actions.
The song is a powerful call to action that encourages listeners to take responsibility for their own actions and to work toward a better world. It reminds us that change starts with us and that we have the power to make a difference, no matter how small.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna make a change,
I am determined to bring about a positive change.
For once I'm my life
This is the first time I'm taking responsibility for bringing about change.
It's gonna feel real good,
The sense of accomplishment and satisfaction will be gratifying.
Gonna make a difference
My actions will have a positive impact.
Gonna make it right
I will correct what is wrong.
As I, turn up the collar on
I adjust my attire to brace myself.
My favorite winter coat
Every piece of comfort is a reminder of how fortunate I am.
This wind is blowing my mind
The sudden awareness of the sufferings of others is mind-boggling.
I see the kids in the streets,
I observe the children who are homeless.
With not enough to eat
I empathize with their hunger.
Who am I to be blind?
I must address the reality instead of ignoring it.
Pretending not to see their needs
Willful ignorance perpetuates the problem.
A summer disregard,a broken bottle top
Signs of carelessness are everywhere.
And a one man soul
The plight of the individual is vividly on display.
They follow each other on the wind ya' know
The downtrodden drift helplessly with the currents.
'Cause they got nowhere to go
A lack of options traps them in their situation.
That's why I want you to know
The reason I'm telling you this.
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I must initiate the positive change within myself first.
I'm asking him to change his ways
I must hold myself accountable for change.
And no message could have been any clearer
This is the most obvious course of action.
If you want to make the world a better place
This is how to improve our world.
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
Examine yourself and contribute positively towards the solution.
(Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah)
The tune hums with hope and optimism.
I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
I've learned that self-centeredness is unproductive.
It's time that I realize
It's crucial that I acknowledge reality.
That there are some with no home, not a nickel to loan
Some are homeless and destitute.
Could it be really me, pretending that they're not alone?
Am I deceiving myself into thinking that I'm powerless to help?
A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart
Symbols of trauma are all around us.
And a washed-out dream
The futile pursuit of dream-like illusions leads to despair.
(Washed-out dream)
A reminder of the need for achievable, realistic goals.
They follow the pattern of the wind ya' see
They are adrift and directionless.
'Cause they got no place to be
Their predicament is a lack of a place to call home.
That's why I'm starting with me
I'm taking responsibility for bettering the situation.
(Starting with me!)
I'm leading by example.
(Ooh!)
A vocal expression of the emotions involved.
(Change his ways, ooh!)
Emphasizing the need for personal responsibility.
(Man in the mirror, oh yeah!)
The individual who can effect change.
(Better change!)
Underscoring the importance of taking action.
(Take a look at yourself and then make the change)
Reinforcement of the central message.
(You gotta get it right, while you got the time)
There's a sense of urgency and an opportunity to act.
('Cause when you close your heart)
Being apathetic only leads to negative consequences.
You can't close your, your mind!
Having an open mind and heart is crucial.
(Then you close your, mind!)
The opposite scenario is a dangerous path.
(Man, that man, that man, that man)
The repeated reference to 'that man in the mirror' underscores the need for action.
With the man in the mirror
The individual with the power to bring about change.
(Man in the mirror, oh yeah!)
A reminder of where to look for solutions.
I'm asking him to change his ways
Taking an active approach towards betterment.
(Make that change!)
Urging positive action towards improvement.
(You know, that man)
Intensifying the focus on self-improvement.
(If you want to make the world a better place)
Emphasizing the importance of positive contribution.
(Take a look at yourself and then make the change)
Repeating the central theme of personal accountability for change.
(Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!)
More emotional outbursts indicative of the power of the message.
(Oh no, no no)
An urgent plea to pay heed to the message.
(Change)
Reinforcing the need for action.
(Just lift yourself)
An optimistic way of reinforcing the message towards personal accountability.
(You know)
Assuming familiarity with the audience.
(Better stop it yourself!)
A direct appeal to take control and effect positive change.
(Yeah! Make that change!)
Reiterating the importance of the message.
(I've got to make that change, today!)
Emphasizing the urgency of the action.
(Man in the mirror)
Re-emphasizing the central theme of taking responsibility.
(You've got to)
The message is vital.
(You've got to move! Come on!)
Encouraging the audience to take action.
(Stand up! Stand up! Stand up!)
A call to action, to rise to the occasion.
(Yeah! Make that change)
A passionate reiteration of the importance of positive action.
(Stand up and lift yourself, now!)
An exhortation to the audience to take charge.
(Man in the mirror)
The image of responsibility.
(Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!)
An emotional outburst indicative of the power of the message.
(Yeah! Make that change!)
Restating the essential theme of action towards change.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Glen Ballard, Siedah Garrett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind