Joseph in the Mirror
Harry 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 blowin' my mind

I see the kids in the street, without enough to eat
Who am I, to be blind?
Pretending not to see their needs

A summer's disregard, a broken bottle top
And one man's 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 wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make that change

Nanana nanana nana
(Oh, oh)

I've been a victim of a selfish kinda love
It's time that I realize

There are some with no home,

Not a nickel to loan
Could I be, really mean,

Pretending that they're not alone?

A willow deeply scarred (scarred), somebody's broken heart (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
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna 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
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna 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 (change)
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make that change (come on!)

You got to get it right, when you got the time
'Cause when you close your heart, then you close your
(your) mind!

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

Stand up!
Stand up! (Make a change!)
Stand up!
Stand up!

Left, yourself now!
Man in the mirror!
(Ooh!)
(Ooh!) Ah ah
(Ooh!) ah ah
Make that change! (Stand up! Stand up!)

You know!
You Know!
You Know! (Man in the mirror!)
You Know!

Change!





Make that change

Overall Meaning

The song "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson is a classic call to action for personal change in order to make the world a better place. In "Joseph in the Mirror," Harry explores the themes of self-reflection, personal responsibility, and social justice as an ode to Michael's timeless track. In the opening lines, Harry expresses his determination to make a change in the world by first focusing on changing himself. He recognizes that his privilege has allowed him to turn a blind eye to the needs of others and pledges to do better.


As he wraps himself up in his winter coat and braves the cold wind, Harry sees the reality of poverty and homelessness firsthand, acknowledging that those without homes and food need his help. He recognizes his previous ignorance and selfishness and challenges himself to be better, asking if he is really so callous as to pretend not to see those in need. The chorus of the song echoes the powerful message of personal responsibility and the need to take action to make the world a better place. Harry reminds the listeners that the only way to make a change in the world is by starting with oneself.


Overall, "Joseph in the Mirror" is a poignant tribute to Michael Jackson's call for self-reflection and social justice, urging listeners to take action and make a change in their communities.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna make a change, for once in my life
I am going to change my behavior, which will be a new experience.


It's gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference
This change will create a positive impact that will bring a good feeling.


Gonna make it right
I will correct any mistakes that I have made in the past.


As I, turn up the collar on my favorite winter coat
I am getting ready to face the cold weather.


This wind is blowin' my mind
The weather is having an impact on my thoughts and emotions.


I see the kids in the street, without enough to eat
I notice children who do not have access to proper nutrition.


Who am I, to be blind?
I cannot ignore this issue and pretend it does not exist.


Pretending not to see their needs
It would be wrong to ignore the needs of these children.


A summer's disregard, a broken bottle top
There are remnants of a past season and some related problems.


And one man's soul
The state of one person's mind and emotions.


They follow each other on the wind ya' know
These things are interconnected and affect one another.


'Cause they got nowhere to go
The lack of resources creates a hopeless situation.


That's why I want you to know
I want to share something essential with you.


I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I am going to work on myself before trying to improve anything else.


I'm asking him to change his ways
I am requesting that I modify my attitudes and behavior.


And no message could have been any clearer
This is the most critical statement to understand.


If you wanna make the world a better place
Making changes to oneself also generates improvements in the world around us.


Take a look at yourself, and then make that change
Reflect on oneself to create long-lasting transformations and improvements.


I've been a victim of a selfish kinda love
The love I have known has been self-centered.


It's time that I realize
I need to face the reality of this issue.


There are some with no home,
Some people do not have a place to live.


Not a nickel to loan
They do not have enough money to borrow even a small amount.


Could I be, really mean,
It would be wrong to be unkind in this situation.


Pretending that they're not alone?
Ignoring the isolation that some people are experiencing would be unfair.


A willow deeply scarred (scarred), somebody's broken heart (heart)
There are signs of past pain that still exist in the present.


And a washed out dream
Aspirations that have been let go or have failed.


They follow the pattern of the wind ya see
These issues are also interconnected and related for some people.


'Cause they got no place to be that's why I'm starting with me
Creating change in oneself is necessary to correct these problems in society.


Stand up!
Take action!


Make a change!
Improve your situation!


Left, yourself now!
Abandon your old ways!


Man in the mirror!
Look closely at yourself!


Make that change!
Create a transformation and improve the world.




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Glen Ballard, Siedah Garrett

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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