According to the Man In The Mirror Songfacts, it was the first song Garrett had ever written - not a bad one to start off with!
Man in the Mirror
Micheal 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 turned up the collar on
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, 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 na oh ho
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 (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 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
(Man in the mirror, oh yeah)
I'm asking him to change his ways, yeah
(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, that man, that man
(With the man in the mirror, oh yeah)
That man you know, that man you know
That man you know, that man you know
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 then make that change
(Na na na, na na na, na na na na)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Oh yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
(Na na na, na na na, na na na na)
Oh no
Oh no, I'm gonna make a change
It's gonna feel real good
Shamone (Change)
Just lift yourself
You know, you got to stop it yourself
(Yeah) Oh (Make that change)
I gotta make that change today, oh
(Man in the mirror)
You got to, you got to not let yourself, brother oh
Yeah, you know that (Make that change)
I gotta make that make me then make
You got, you got to move
Shamone, shamone
You got to stand up, stand up, stand up
(Make that change)
Stand up and lift yourself, now
(Man in the mirror)
(Yeah, make that change)
Gonna make that change, shamone
(Man in the mirror)
You know it, you know it, you know it, you know
(Change) Make that change
The song "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson is a call to action for people all over the world to start making a difference in the world. The opening lines state the desire for change, declaring that the singer wants to do something to make a real difference in his life and in the world around him. He acknowledges the inequality and suffering he sees around him, including children who have nothing to eat, and resolves to no longer turn a blind eye to their struggles. He acknowledges that he has been part of the problem, and is determined to start with himself and make the necessary changes.
The song is a reminder that we are all connected in some way, and that each person has the power to make a difference in the world. The singer recognizes that he has been a victim of his own selfishness and is determined to change his ways. He asks himself the same question that he asks of everyone else, "if you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change." The song encourages self-reflection and introspection, reminding listeners that change starts at home.
Overall, "Man in the Mirror" is a powerful song that inspires people to look inward and make the necessary changes to make a positive impact in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh ooh ooh aah
Introductory Sounds
I'm gonna make a change
I have resolved to transform myself.
For once in my life
This is the first time I am making such a strong declaration.
It's gonna feel real good
I imagine that the changes I will make will bring me joy.
Gonna make a difference
The changes that I will make will matter.
Gonna make it right
I will fix previous wrongs.
As I turned up the collar on
I take notice of my surroundings.
My favorite winter coat
I dress sensibly for the weather.
This wind is blowin' my mind
The harsh weather is bothering me.
I see the kids in the street
I notice the less fortunate in my community.
With not enough to eat
They don't have access to basic needs.
Who am I to be blind
How am I any different from them?
Pretending not to see their need
I am feeling guilty for turning a blind eye.
A summer's disregard
People in power's apathy to the poor.
A broken bottle top
The world's brokenness.
And a one man's soul
The individual who may have given up.
They follow each other on the wind, ya know
These issues are interlinked.
'Cause they got nowhere to go
There's no relief for them.
That's why I want you to know
My message is very important.
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I will start with changing myself.
I'm asking him to change his ways
I'm encouraging myself to be better.
And no message could have been any clearer
My intentions are very clear.
If you wanna make the world a better place
We must strive to make the world a better place.
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
Start with changing yourself.
Na na na, na na na
Background Vocals
Na na na na oh ho
Background Vocals
I've been a victim of
I've also fallen short.
A selfish kinda love
I've only cared about myself.
It's time that I realize
It's high time I acknowledged the needs of others.
There are some with no home
There are people without shelter.
Not a nickel to loan
They don't even have access to basic financial aid.
Could it be really me
These could also be my problems.
Pretending that they're not alone
The least I can do is offer them company.
A willow deeply scarred
The greenery that has been affected by human activity.
Somebody's broken heart
People's emotional pain.
And a washed out dream
People who have given up hope.
They follow the pattern of the wind, ya see
All these issues are interlinked.
'Cause they got no place to be
And there's no relief.
That's why I'm starting with me
I take it upon myself to make the change.
(Man in the mirror, oh yeah)
Background Vocals
(Better change)
Background Vocals
You gotta get it right, while you got the time
It's important to start working on these changes before it's too late.
'Cause when you close your heart
When you disconnect emotionally...
(You can't close your, your mind)
...your mind remains open to what's happening around you.
Then you close your mind
When you become apathetic, your mind also stops processing information.
That man, that man, that man
Background Vocals
That man you know, that man you know
Background Vocals
That man you know, that man you know
Background Vocals
I'm asking him to change his ways
Encouraging the man to make better choices.
(Better change)
Background Vocals
No message could have been any clearer
I cannot be clearer.
If you wanna make the world a better place
For the betterment of the world...
Take a look at yourself then make that change
...make the necessary personal development.
(Na na na, na na na, na na na na)
Background Vocals
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Background Vocals.
Oh yeah
This change will be positive.
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Background Vocals.
(Na na na, na na na, na na na na)
Background Vocals.
Oh no
I finally understand.
Oh no, I'm gonna make a change
I am personally responsible for changing.
It's gonna feel real good
I know that personal growth will be satisfying.
Shamone (Change)
Encouraging myself to make the changes.
Just lift yourself
Encouraging myself to improve.
You know, you got to stop it yourself
I am in charge of my improvement.
(Yeah) Oh (Make that change)
Encourage myself to change and do better.
I gotta make that change today, oh
I am responsible for changing today.
(Man in the mirror)
Background Vocals.
You got to, you got to not let yourself, brother oh
You are your own inspiration.
Yeah, you know that (Make that change)
Encouragement to change.
I gotta make that make me then make
I will change myself, then change the world.
You got, you got to move
You have to continue to grow and evolve.
Shamone, shamone
Encouraging myself.
You got to stand up, stand up, stand up
It's time to elevate yourself.
(Make that change)
Encouraging myself to change.
Stand up and lift yourself, now
Elevating and improving myself.
(Man in the mirror)
Background Vocals.
(Yeah, make that change)
Background Vocals.
Gonna make that change, shamone
I can do this!
(Man in the mirror)
Background Vocals.
You know it, you know it, you know it, you know
Encouragement to never stop improving.
(Change) Make that change
Encouragement to change.
Contributed by Kylie S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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
@OmegaBlakX
This is definitely a song we need to hear today.
@KH-rh1dc
Right on brother
@Exodus-sb8so
The video is better than the song and the only answer I have for that is bc every great man who fought for us was shot dead bc peace is free and war is good and expensive go back and look at MLK eyes and JFK they could have been our future
@OmegaBlakX
@@Exodus-sb8so It almost makes you wonder if they were around, how much better along would we be? A message of love and peace versus a country further divided by hate. I'd rather take the peace
@Exodus-sb8so
@@OmegaBlakX Jesus died at 33 with a message of love that took our true king and nailed him to a cross bc of a lack of faith. They wanted him to come down off his cross and show his true self. The part that is scary is they didn't understand the simple fact that he was there to die to save there lives. Love and peace will never win until Jesus fixes it not MLK not JFK and not Trump. There is no-one who can successfully fix this world except Jesus yet that doesn't mean that men are not put here to be like Christ or atleast peace seeking individuals remember blessed is the peace keeper, but the thing about peace is that it comes with a cost
@babiatch
Every day
@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.