Man in the Mirror
James Morrison (jazz) 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 wanna make the world a better place
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
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 wanna 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
(Ooh!)
I'm asking him to change his ways
(Change his ways - ooh!)
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
(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 wanna 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 wanna make the world a better place
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
(Ooooh)
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!
Aaow!
(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 James Morrison is a powerful call to action for people to make a positive difference in the world starting with themselves. In the song, Morrison acknowledges the issues of poverty, homelessness, and broken dreams that he sees around him and recognizes that it is not enough to turn a blind eye. He shifts the focus to his own actions, declaring that he will make a change, and that it will feel good, make a difference, and be the right thing to do. He calls on others to do the same, to take a look at themselves and make a change to make the world a better place.
Morrison uses powerful imagery to illustrate his message. He turns up the collar on his winter coat, feeling the wind blowing his mind, and sees children on the streets with not enough to eat. He highlights the interconnectivity between people, using the metaphor of broken bottle tops and washed-out dreams to convey a sense of hopelessness and lack of direction. He urges listeners to start with themselves, using the repetition of the line "I'm starting with the man in the mirror" to emphasize the importance of taking personal responsibility for creating positive change.
Overall, the song is a message of hope and empowerment that resonates with people all over the world. It encourages listeners to recognize their own power to make a difference and to take action to create a better future for all.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna make a change,
I am going to make a change in my life
for once in my life
for the first time ever
It's gonna feel real good,
I anticipate feeling good about this change
gonna make a difference
it will have a significant impact on the world around me
Gonna make it right
I am going to make things right
As I, turn up the collar on
I turn up the collar on
my favorite winter coat
my warmest coat for protection against the cold
This wind is blowing my mind
The wind is overwhelming my thoughts
I see the kids in the streets,
I observe the children on the street
with not enough to eat
who are hungry
Who am I to be blind?
I am not justified in ignoring their needs
Pretending not to see their needs
Ignoring their plight is not right
A summer disregard, a broken bottle top
The carelessness of summer, a bottle broken top
And a one man soul
A single soul
They follow each other on the wind ya' know
They have no direction, just following where the wind blows
'Cause they got nowhere to go
They are directionless
That's why I want you to know
I want you to understand this
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I am starting with myself
I'm asking him to change his ways
I am asking that I change my own ways
And no message could have been any clearer
This is the most straightforward message
If you wanna make the world a better place
If you want to improve the world
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
Look at yourself, reflect on the need to change and then effect it
(Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah)
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
I have been selfish in the name of love
It's time that I realize
It is now time for me to come to terms with it
That there are some with no home, not a nickel to loan
Some people are homeless and needy
Could it be really me, pretending that they're not alone
Could it be that I am pretending they are not alone out of fear of responsibility?
A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart
The willow branch is deeply damaged, symbolic of someone's broken heart
And a washed-out dream
An unrealized dream
(Washed-out dream)
This is a repetition of the previous line
They follow the pattern of the wind ya' see
They follow the wind's direction
'Cause they got no place to be
They have nowhere to go
That's why I'm starting with me
This is why I am starting with myself
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I am starting with myself
(Ooh!)
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
(Change his ways - ooh!)
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
(Man in the mirror, oh yeah!)
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
No message could have been any clearer
Nothing could be less ambiguous
You know... that man
You know who that man is all about
If you wanna make the world a better place
To provide better living conditions for everyone in the world
(You gotta get it right, while you got the time)
You need to correct things now while it is still feasible
('Cause when you close your heart)
(when you shut your heart down)
You can't close your, your mind!
Close your heart, not your mind!
(Then you close your, mind!)
Close your heart, not your mind!
(Man in the mirror, oh yeah!)
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
That man, that man, that man, that man
That person, that person, that person, that person
With the man in the mirror
That person is you
(Better change!)
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
(If you wanna make the world a better place)
If you want to improve the world
(Take a look at yourself and then make the change)
Examine yourself, then take action
(You've got to not let yourself)
Don't let yourself falter
(You've got to move)
You have to take actions
(Man in the mirror)
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
Stand up! Stand up! Stand up!
Stand upright!
(Yeah! Make that change)
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
(Ooooh)
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
Oh no, no no
Oh no, no no
Come on!
Let's go!
(Change)
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
Just lift yourself
Elevate yourself
Yourself!
Yourself!
(Yeah! Make that change!)
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
I've got to make that change, today!
I am committed to effecting that change today
Hoo!
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
(Man in the mirror)
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
You've got to move! Come on!
You must take steps forward, don't be reluctant
You got to
You have to
Stand up! Stand up! Stand up!
Stand upright!
(Yeah! Make that change)
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
You know it!
You know it!
(Change)
Sung ad libs with no specific meaning
Make that change.
Take action to bring about that change.
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
@manaswinroekrai2663
"Man In The Mirror"
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 favourite winter coat
This wind is blowin' my mind
I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind?
Pretending not to see their need
A summer's disregard
A broken bottle top
And a one man's soul
They follow each other on the wind you 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 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 widow deeply scarred
Somebody's broken heart
And a washed-out dream
(washed-out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind, you 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 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 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
(better change!)
No message could have been any clearer
(if you wanna 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 that 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 wanna make the world a better place
(if you wanna 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)
Gonna feel real good now!
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!
(man in the mirror)
You got to
You got to not let yourself
Brother
(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)
(yeah make that change)
Gonna make that change
Come on!
(man in the mirror)
You know it!
You know it!
You know it!
You know
(change)
Make that change
@kwongyeol
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
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind
Pretending not to see their needs
A summer's disregard
A broken bottle top
And a 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 a change
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 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
No message could have been any clearer
[If you wanna 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, that man
That man, the man, you know, that man
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself then make a change
Gonna feel real good, yeah
No, no, no, no
I'm gonna make a change
It's gonna feel real good
Come on
Just lift yourself
You know, you got to stop it, yourself, brother
I gotta make that change, today
You got to, you got to not let yourself, brother
You know, starting with that man, the man
You got, you got to move
Come on, come on
You got to
Stand up, stand up, stand up
Stand up and lift yourself, now
Gonna make that change, come on
You know it, you know it, you know it, you know
@martaindraswaraswanti6829
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
Favourite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See
Their Needs
A Summer's Disregard,
A Broken Bottle Top
And A 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
(If You Wanna 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 Widow 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 Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna 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've
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna 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 Wanna 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 That 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 Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna 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)
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,
Na Nah
(Oh Yeah!)
Gonna Feel Real Good Now!
Yeah Yeah! Yeah Yeah!
Yeah Yeah!
Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,
Na Nah
(Ooooh . . .)
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!
Aaow!
(Yeah-Make That Change)
Gonna Make That Change . . .
Come On!
(Man In The Mirror)
You Know It!
You Know It!
You Know It!
You Know . . .
(Change . . .)
Make That Change
@simonet9441
WOW! What a cover-what a voice and what a guy. I'm looking James up on here because he visited my daughter's ward in hospital when she had leukemia. Such a nice guy and amazingly talented too! Bless him!
@MrDezmondo
I saw this dude at some festival and thought this was a voice that only comes around once in a blue moon. I just think he blew my mind and it will stay with me forever. Why don't I hear you more on the radio? Great track great voice ...thank you
@ssenadokmeci
listening it for 10 years...and still here (please add it to spotify james)
@fusion4262
James Morrison makes this song his own. Fabulous interpretation and a natural fit.
@TallinnTadgh
It was only when i read a comment about people 'covering MJ' that i realised it wasn't James song originally!
Cracking version.
(leaving aside minor quibble about it being 'acoustic' with a synth?)
@cjg28
everything he touches turns to gold, hes like Midas
@davidwhelan8250
I can't understand why he isn't massive these days, fantastic singer and performer!
@TheLetterheads
for someone with the looks of chris martin and the name of previous music legend, this james morrison has really created his own identity! very impressive.
@habitatgcx
I really hate when anyone tries to cover Mj, but this guy somehow captured mj's emotion/message. I'm impressed.
@HeartOfMetalx11
I agree most people fail hard. especially when they TRY to sound like MJ because no one can really emulate him. i like this cover a lot because he clearly felt the song and made it his own. instead of just taking a popular song and doing a cover for views.