Man in the Mirror
Pain Lyrics


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I'm gonna make a change,
For once I'm 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 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 want to make the world a better place
(If you want to 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 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
(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 want to make the world a better place
(If you want to 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 have been any clearer
If you want to 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 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 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 want to make the world a better place
(If you want to make the world a better place)
Take a look at yourself and then make the change
(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
(Ooh)
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!
Aw!
(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.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Pain's song "Man in the Mirror" convey a strong message about personal responsibility and the power of self-reflection in making a positive impact on the world. The singer acknowledges that change begins with oneself, and expresses a desire to make a difference and improve the lives of others. The lyrics highlight the contrast between the singer's comfortable life represented by a favorite winter coat and the harsh reality faced by less fortunate children in the streets who lack basic necessities. The singer challenges the notion of turning a blind eye to these issues and instead acknowledges the need for change.


The lyrics emphasize the importance of taking a look at oneself and making a change from within. The singer recognizes their own shortcomings, acknowledging their past selfishness and realizing that they have been neglecting those who are less fortunate. The references to a broken heart, a washed-out dream, and a willow deeply scarred symbolize the pain and suffering experienced by those who have been marginalized and forgotten by society. The repetition of the line "I'm starting with the man in the mirror" serves as a reminder of the singer's commitment to initiate change from within themselves.


Overall, "Man in the Mirror" encourages introspection, compassion, and active engagement with the problems faced by others. It emphasizes the need for personal accountability and the understanding that each individual has the power to contribute to making the world a better place.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm gonna make a change,
I am determined to bring about a transformation


For once I'm my life
This will be a rare opportunity


It's gonna feel real good,
The outcome will bring immense satisfaction


Gonna make a difference
I will have a positive impact


Gonna make it right
I will correct any wrongs


As I, turn up the collar on
Adjusting my winter coat to shield against the cold


My favorite winter coat
The garment I cherish in the cold season


This wind is blowing my mind
The powerful force of nature is captivating my thoughts


I see the kids in the streets,
Observing the children who are present in the streets


With not enough to eat
They lack sufficient food


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


Pretending not to see their needs
Acting as if I am unaware of their requirements


A summer disregard, a broken bottle top
Neglecting the warmth of the season, encountering a shattered object


And a one man soul
Belonging to an individual with a solitary spirit


They follow each other on the wind ya' know
They traverse together guided by the wind, you understand


'Cause they got nowhere to go
Because they lack a destination


That's why I want you to know
Hence, I desire for you to comprehend


I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I am commencing with self-reflection


I'm asking him to change his ways
I implore him to modify his behavior


And no message could have been any clearer
There cannot be a more explicit communication


If you want to make the world a better place
If your intention is to improve the world


(If you want to make the world a better place)
(In case your desire is to enhance the world)


Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
Reflect upon your own actions, and subsequently create a transformation


(Take a look at yourself, and then make a change)
(Examine your own self, and then bring about a transformation)


(Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah)
(Nonsensical sounds, emphasizing the rhythm)


I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
I have experienced love that is solely concerned with oneself


It's time that I realize
Now is the moment for me to comprehend


That there are some with no home, not a nickel to loan
There exist people without shelter, lacking any money to borrow


Could it be really me, pretending that they're not alone?
Is it possible that I am pretending they are not lonely?


A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart
A deeply wounded tree, representing someone's shattered emotions


And a washed-out dream
A faded aspiration


(Washed-out dream)
(Faded aspiration)


They follow the pattern of the wind ya' see
They conform to the course set by the wind, you perceive


'Cause they got no place to be
As they lack a specific place to exist


That's why I'm starting with me
Thus, I am originating the change within myself


(Starting with me!)
(Commencing with my own self!)


(Ooh!)
(Exclamation of realization or surprise)


I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
I have experienced love that is solely concerned with oneself


(Ooh!)
(Exclamation of realization or surprise)


It's time that I realize
Now is the moment for me to comprehend


That there are some with no home, not a nickel to loan
There exist people without shelter, lacking any money to borrow


(Change his ways, ooh!)
(Modifying his behavior, exclamation of realization or surprise)


And no message could have been any clearer
There cannot be a more explicit communication


If you want to make the world a better place
If your intention is to improve the world


Take a look at yourself, and then make that
Reflect upon your own actions, and subsequently create


(Take a look at yourself and then make that)
(Examine your own self, and then bring about)


Change!
A transformation!


I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I am commencing with self-reflection


(Man in the mirror, oh yeah!)
(Referring to my own reflection, expressing affirmation)


That man, that man, that man, that man
Referring multiple times to oneself


With the man in the mirror
Interacting with my own reflection


(Man in the mirror, oh yeah!)
(Referring to my own reflection, expressing affirmation)


That man, that man, that man,
Referring multiple times to oneself


I'm asking him to change his ways
I implore him to modify his behavior


(Better change!)
(Emphasizing the urgency to modify)


You know, that man
Acknowledging my own self


No message could have been any clearer
There cannot be a more explicit communication


If you want to make the world a better place
If your intention is to improve the world


(If you want to make the world a better place)
(In case your desire is to enhance the world)


Take a look at yourself and then make the change
Reflect upon your own actions and then create the transformation


(Take a look at yourself and then make the change)
(Examine your own self and then bring about the transformation)


Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Exclamations or vocalizations, indicating enthusiasm or encouragement


Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah
Nonsensical syllables or sounds, emphasizing the rhythm


(Ooh)
(Exclamation of realization or surprise)


Oh no, no no
Expressing concern or worry


I'm gonna make a change
I am determined to bring about a transformation


It's gonna feel real good!
The outcome will bring immense satisfaction


Come on!
Encouragement or invitation to act


(Change)
(Referring to the act of transformation)


Just lift yourself
Elevate your own self


You know
You are aware


You've got to stop it,
You must cease your current behavior


Yourself!
Referring to your own self


(Yeah! Make that change!)
(Expressing agreement to create a transformation)


I've got to make that change, today!
I personally must initiate the transformation immediately


Hoo!
Exclamation of realization or surprise


(Man in the mirror)
(Referring to my own reflection)


You got to
You must


You got to not let yourself
You must not allow your own self


Brother
Addressing or referring to a fellow human being


Hoo!
Exclamation of realization or surprise


(Yeah! Make that change!)
(Expressing agreement to create a transformation)


You know I've got to get
You are aware that I must obtain


That man, that man
Referring multiple times to oneself


(Man in the mirror)
(Referring to my own reflection)


You've got to
You must


You've got to move! Come on!
You must take action, come on!


Come on!
Encouragement or invitation to act


You got to
You must


Stand up! Stand up! Stand up!
Rise to your feet, stand tall!


(Yeah! Make that change)
(Expressing agreement to create a transformation)


Stand up and lift yourself, now!
Arise and elevate your own self, right now!


(Man in the mirror)
(Referring to my own reflection)


Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Exclamations or vocalizations, indicating enthusiasm or encouragement


Aw!
An expression of realization or surprise


(Yeah! Make that change!)
(Expressing agreement to create a transformation)


Gonna make that change
I will bring about that transformation


Come on!
Encouragement or invitation to act


You know it!
You are aware of it!


You know it!
You are aware of it!


You know it!
You are aware of it!


You know it
You are aware of it


(Change)
(Referring to the act of transformation)




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Glen Ballard, Siedah Garrett

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

@illustravitae

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've been any clearer
If they 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 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 (oh)
I'm asking him to change his ways (oh)
And no message could've 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 (oh)
I'm asking him to change his ways (oh)
And no message could've 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 (better change)
No message could've been any clearer
(If you wanna make the world a better place)
(Take a look at yourself and then make the change)
you can't
(Then you close your) close your, your mind
With the man in the mirror, oh yeah
I'm asking him to change his ways (better change)
No message could've been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
gonna feel real good now
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)
I've got to make that change today
(Man in the mirror) you got to
You got to not let yourself brother
(Yeah) you know
(Make that change) I've got to get that man, that man
You've got to
You've got to move
Come on
Come on
You got to
Stand up, stand up (yeah, make that change)
Stand up
Stand up and lift
Yourself, now
(Man in the mirror)
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



All comments from YouTube:

@karlieburkhart3344

He wasn’t a selfish person. Ever. He was so abused and traumatized as a child so when he broke free to release his own albums he was looked upon as selfish. He needed to be free. He then gave back to the fans and for so many children he was a hero. He really was a king. Michael, you dropped this ✨👑✨, fly high king.

@Blizzious

And yet, 11 years later. He's still getting abused, by the media and because of that one documentary that ruined everything.

@m7disonnn

If anyone is saying he wasnt abused. That is a lie. Sorry, but its true.. he was :C

@yussufmadam8324

Michael's got all his fans with him and seen square one documentary that proves him innocent

@thegreytable

Well said sis 🙌

@Blizzious

@Mxddie Flxmingx u should definitely check Square One and not that Leaving Neverland thing.

123 More Replies...

@susienickel8573

This song was played at my niece's funeral on Monday and it made a huge impact on my life. I love this song.

@malaquiassawoe4093

I’m so sorry for your loss

@PrincessMopar

My condolences. May she rest in peace. 💗

@lesleysmart1649

May her soul rest in peace

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