Man in the Mirror
Micheal Jackson/Michael Jackson Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 blowing 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 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
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na

I've been a victim of a selfish kind of 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 (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 (who?)
I'm asking him to change his ways (who?)
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 a change

I'm starting with the man in the mirror (who?)
I'm asking him to change his ways (who?)
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 change

I'm starting with the man in the mirror (oh yeah)
I'm asking him to change his ways (he's gonna 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 heart (you can't close your)
Then you close your mind (your mind)

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

Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo (na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na)
Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo (ooh, gonna feel real good, yeah)
Oh yeah (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na

Oh no, I'm gonna make a change
It's gonna feel real good
Shamone (change)
Just lift yourself, you know
You've got to stop him yourself, woo (yeah, make that change)
I gotta make that change, today, hoo (man in the mirror)
You got to, you got to not pick 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, you've to move, shamone, shamone
You got to stand up, stand up (yeah, make that change)
Stand up, stand up and lift yourself, now (man in the mirror)
Hoo, hoo, hoo, ow (yeah, make that change)
Go make that change, shamone (man in the mirror)




You know it, you know it, you know it, you know (change)
Make that change

Overall Meaning

The song begins with the desire to make a change in oneself as the lyrics "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" suggests. The following lyrics state "As I turn up the collar on, My favorite winter coat, This wind is blowing 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" highlights the need to acknowledge the issues around and take action. The song's chorus, "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, Take a look at yourself and then make a change" communicates the idea that change begins with an individual and then spreads to the world. Thus, the song is essentially a call to action that encourages individuals to look at themselves and begin the process of change.


The second verse talks about the need for self-realization and empathy towards others' problems. The lyrics "I've been a victim of a selfish kind of 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?" highlight the selfish and ignorant manner in which the singer has lived their life. The bridge "You gotta get it right while you got the time, 'Cause when you close your heart, Then you close your mind" further emphasizes the importance of taking action now, while there is still time. Finally, the song concludes with the repetition of the chorus and the encouragement to "make that change."


Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna make a change
I will initiate change


For once in my life
For the first time ever


It's gonna feel real good
It will provide a sense of satisfaction


Gonna make a difference
I will make a positive impact


Gonna make it right
I will strive for perfection


As I turn up the collar on
As I wrap myself up in


My favorite winter coat
My go-to winter attire


This wind is blowing my mind
The current situation is overwhelming me


I see the kids in the street
I notice the children outdoors


With not enough to eat
Who are malnourished


Who am I to be blind?
Why should I ignore their plight?


Pretending not to see their need
Ignoring what they lack


A summer's disregard, a broken bottle top
Trash accumulated during summers and discarded items


And a one man soul
The one with a lonely soul


They follow each other on the wind, ya know
Their fate is intertwined and determined by the forces beyond their control


'Cause they got nowhere to go
Due to the lack of options


That's why I want you to know
The reason for my message


I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I will begin by changing myself


I'm asking him to change his ways
I will ask myself to change


And no message could have been any clearer
The instruction is straightforward


If you want to make the world a better place
To improve the world


Take a look at yourself and then make a change
First, examine yourself, then initiate change


Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na


I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
I have experienced an inward-looking love


It's time that I realize
It is time for me to recognize


There are some with no home, not a nickel to loan
There are homeless people who don't have enough money to fund basic needs


Could it be really me pretending that they're not alone?
Am I guilty of choosing to overlook their isolation?


A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart
A tree that has suffered damage, a person who has been hurt


And a washed-out dream (washed-out dream)
A desire that has lost its vibrancy


They follow the pattern of the wind, ya see
Affected by environmental forces


'Cause they got no place to be
Since they have no physical space to occupy


That's why I'm starting with me
The reason why I will begin with myself


No message could have been any clearer
The instruction can't be more straightforward


If you want to make the world a better place
If you desire to improve the world


Take a look at yourself and then make that change
First, introspect, then role model the behavior you hope to inspire.


That man, that man, that man (with the man in the mirror, oh yeah)
That person in the mirror


I'm asking him to change his ways (who?)
My request for him to transform (who?)


If you want to make the world a better place
If we aim to improve the world


Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo (na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na)


Oh no, I'm gonna make a change
I will make a difference


Shamone (change)
Encouragement to take action


Just lift yourself, you know
Belief that we can better ourselves


You've got to stop him yourself, woo (yeah, make that change)
We have the power to implement change


I gotta make that change, today, hoo (man in the mirror)
I must initiate this transformation


You got to, you got to not pick yourself, brother, hoo (Yeah, make that change)
You need to refrain from indulging in self-centered behavior


You know I’ve got to get that man, that man (man in the mirror)
I need to effect that change on myself


You've got, you've to move, shamone, shamone
You must take action to bring about change


You got to stand up, stand up (yeah, make that change)
You ought to be proactive


Stand up, stand up and lift yourself, now (man in the mirror)
Empower ourselves toward improvement


Hoo, hoo, hoo, ow (yeah, make that change)


Go make that change, shamone (man in the mirror)
Let's bring about that change


You know it, you know it, you know it, you know (change)


Make that change
Initiate the necessary transformation.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@jahfireuniversal11

But you'll never find happiness
Unless
Ya find it in yourself 1st
Always searching for Love outside
And when you think it's it then your bubble burst
Feeling cursed
Or maybe worst
Spirit the nurse
The doctor
Even at the lowest point still got ya
Look
See
Still breathing
Still receiving
The Love of The Most High
Sigh
Sigh
Please
Just look inside
Yea at times a rollercoaster ride
But away with foolish pride
Let The Divine within be your guide
Love is infinite
And never leaves
Ourselves we spite
With wants n needs
Sewing seeds
Of destruction
Negativity & corruption
Here comes the eruption
Whirlwind
Spiritual volcano
Spewing up out to through
Everyting iNna this flow
Funny not funny
We already know
And still choose to blow
Malice n hate
Argument n debate
Haaahaaaaaa
It is hilarious
Cos all must be
And we
Learn from tasting da dust
Biting da dust
From the bottom we're thrust
Trust
Spirit always reminding
Breaking n grinding
To help us be finding
The 1ne true Love
That lives n remains in the essence of
Every1ne n everyting that does be
Find yourself n find the ultimate key
Bathing in the beauty
The tranquility
At peace with self brings peace with everybody
So what's it all about
I'll buy you gifts today n say
I Love you
Hmmm
I'll Love you more
For every moment you endure
My slips my slides
My ego n pride
Thank you
For accepting me for who what I am
What a beautyfilled feeling stretching forth ma hand
Let ma light shine
I am Divine
Bending perception of mind
To align
That which is to be aligned
Every1ne remember yes
Remember you're blessed
Partner no partner
It's on you to manifest
Your desires
Your dreams
Choose misery n worry or choose streams of infinite beams
Laugh
Smile
Give thanx
Appreciate
And I promise your Love will multiply n create
A beautyfilled feeling inside
A place of appreciation n contentment maybe even the perfect husband or bride



All comments from YouTube:

@smokey8755

yes

@KARKATELCESARENVIADODESA-pv4yd

"MAN IN ZA MIRROR!"
-Illuso

@clem9239

smokey yes

@joemuis23

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/mar/26/michael-jackson-abuse-abuser-sexual with his backstory its even more poignant. people turn to art to express what they can't do themselves.

@clem9239

Francisco Delgado follow me please

@janiceofoh5918

This song touches my heart. For this man to write this song told me how gifted and talented he really was. .miss you Mj

127 More Replies...

@user-de6bu3ck6w

"If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change." I love this line.

@baileysmillie6915

If everybody could see what this means then the world would indeed be a better place

@dianaspeechless

L.O.V.E 🌬️ 💗

@smii2052

100% right! ❤🌎

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