The choir is vibrant, exuberant and colourful, and delivers a toe-tapping and energetic South African musical performance irresistibly combined with mesmerising choreography.
In 2019 the choir received four unanimous "yesses" from the judges on the reality talent show America's Got Talent.
Man in the Mirror
Ndlovu Youth Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For once in my life
It's gonna feel real good
It's 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
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 a change
Welele welele lele hybo (Welele lele ba)
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
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 (Oh yeah)
I'm asking him to change his ways (Come on 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
Then you close your mind (Close your your mind)
I'm starting with the man in the mirror (Ooh yeah)
I'm asking him to change his ways (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 that
Change (Oooh)
Welele welele lele hybo (Welele lele ba ooh yeah)
Change
Welele welele lele hybo
Change
Ooh yeah
The lyrics to "Man In The Mirror" by Ndlovu Youth Choir are a powerful call to self-reflection and personal responsibility. The song begins with the singer acknowledging the need for change in their own life, stating that they are going to make a difference and make things right. They describe turning up the collar on their winter coat, symbolizing the act of taking action and facing the challenges ahead.
The following lines highlight the harsh realities faced by others, particularly children on the streets who lack basic necessities like food. The singer recognizes that they have been blind to these needs and cannot continue pretending not to see them. The lyrics touch on the indifference and neglect that exist in society, represented by a broken bottle top and the loss of one man's soul. The line "They follow each other on the wind, ya know, cause they got nowhere to go" emphasizes the cycle of hardship and lack of opportunity that perpetuates.
The chorus brings home the message of the song, urging listeners to start with themselves and make a change. The "man in the mirror" refers to looking within oneself and reflecting on one's actions and behaviors. By changing themselves, they can contribute to making the world a better place. The repetition of the line "I'm starting with the man in the mirror" emphasizes the importance of personal accountability and the belief that individual actions can have a significant impact.
Overall, "Man In The Mirror" encourages listeners to take a critical look at themselves, recognize the needs and struggles of others, and take action to create positive change.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna make a change
I am determined to bring about a positive transformation
For once in my life
For the first time, I will take action
It's gonna feel real good
The outcome will bring deep satisfaction
It's gonna make a difference
It will have a significant impact
Gonna make it right
I am committed to correcting the wrongs
As I turn up the collar on my favorite winter coat
While I prepare myself for the challenges ahead
This wind is blowing my mind
The hardships and injustices are deeply affecting me
I see the kids in the street with not enough to eat
I witness the suffering of children who lack basic necessities
Who am I to be blind pretending not to see their needs
It would be hypocritical for me to ignore their hardships
A summer's disregard
Society's indifference and neglect during more fortunate times
A broken bottle top
A symbol of a shattered and discarded hope
And one man's soul
The essence and spirit of an individual
They follow each other on the wind, ya know
They are bound together in their struggles and paths
Cause they got nowhere to go
These individuals have no destination or refuge
That's why I want you to know
This is the reason I need to convey my message to you
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I am initiating change within myself
I'm asking him to change his ways
I am urging myself to alter my behavior
And no message could have been any clearer
There is no clearer communication than this
If you wanna make the world a better place
To improve the world we live in
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
Start by introspecting and implementing personal changes
Welele welele lele hybo (Welele lele ba)
Vocalization without specific meaning
I've been a victim of a selfish kinda love
I have experienced and perpetuated self-centered love
It's time that I realize
Now, I must acknowledge and grasp this truth
There are some with no home
There are people without shelter
Not a nickel to loan
They lack the means to borrow even a small amount
Could it be really me pretending that they're not alone
Am I truly pretending that they are not alone?
A willow deeply scarred
A deeply wounded and hurt collective spirit
Somebody's broken heart
The pain and anguish of another person
And a washed-out dream
A faded and unfulfilled aspiration
They follow the pattern of the wind ya see
They live according to the unpredictable conditions imposed on them
Cause they got no place to be
They have no place to call their own
That's why I'm starting with me
This is the reason I begin by changing myself
No message could have been any clearer
There is no more explicit message than this
You gotta get it right while you got the time
You must make things right while there is still time
Cause when you close your heart
Because when you shut off your emotions
Then you close your mind (Close your your mind)
You also close yourself off from understanding
And no message could have been any clearer
There is no more explicit message than this
If you want to make the world a better place
If your desire is to improve the world
Take a look at yourself and then make that change
Start by examining yourself and implementing that change
Change
Transformation
Oooh yeah
Exclamation of affirmation or agreement
Welele welele lele hybo
Vocalization without specific meaning
Change
Transformation
Ooh yeah
Exclamation of affirmation or agreement
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Glen Ballard, Siedah Garrett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pixpusha
It's like South Africans were born with music in their DNA. Everything they produce sounds phenomenal. Their music just merely good. It resonates at a certain frequency that is just amazingly pleasing.
@thabzen8525
It run in our DNA.
Thats what or grand parents did during hard times of apartheid
To try to find joy dispite hard times
@creativesigns2401
yes
@dapoetic
I tell you!
They are so good
@nadineche
Not only South Africa, Africa it self are very talented
@chichidaniels2677
The pain that the ancestors went through was too much, hence the expression through the arts
@nofardemsky8261
Michael would've been so proud!β€οΈπ₯π
@natanaelshilongo5581
As a Namibianπ³π¦ and an african I fully stand behind the saying that this might be the best choirπ―. May you continue to spread joy through our hearts β€β€
@TuaKalola
π³π¦π³π¦π³π¦
@zandileaonebhuka6203
I love your country, very beautiful β€. Had the best experience last year π