Man in the Mirror
Samm Diego Lyrics
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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
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.
The first stanza of Samm Diego’s “Man in the Mirror” outlines the artist’s desire for change in the world. He declares his newfound decision to make things right this time around, stating that he’s ready to make a significant difference. The next few lines lend context to the events that might have inspired this song. The singer paints a picture of a cold winter day, with him walking down the street wearing his favorite coat. The environment and his thoughts provoke his compassion for the less fortunate, particularly the children he sees outside in the cold with nothing to eat. He acknowledges his past ignorance of such problems and takes responsibility for his inaction.
The next stanza of the song reflects on how his past selfishness might have blinded and hardened him toward the plight of others, and that it’s high time he started to take positive steps toward correcting the situation. He views the scars on the willow, broken hearts, and dashed dreams as symbols of wasted life and opportunities destroyed by neglect and unyielding systems. He concludes that the best way to start making the world better is by making fundamental changes to himself first. Summing it up, the song encourages listeners to take up the mantle of change, one at a time, starting with themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna make a change,
I am going to change something about myself,
For once I'm my life
This is the first time in my life that I am making a change,
It's gonna feel real good,
I am looking forward to feeling good about this change,
Gonna make a difference
I hope to change something that will make a positive difference,
Gonna make it right
I will correct whatever I believe to be wrong,
As I, turn up the collar on
I adjust my winter coat,
My favorite winter coat
This is the coat I most enjoy wearing in winter,
This wind is blowing my mind
The wind is having a significant impact on my thoughts and emotions,
I see the kids in the streets,
I notice the children who are outside,
With not enough to eat
These children seem to be lacking food,
Who am I to be blind?
I cannot ignore their situation,
Pretending not to see their needs
Ignoring their needs is not an option for me,
A summer disregard,a broken bottle top
There is litter and debris scattered about,
And a one man soul
I see a person walking alone,
They follow each other on the wind ya' know
They move in the direction of the wind,
'Cause they got nowhere to go
They do not seem to have a destination or home,
That's why I want you to know
This is why I am speaking out,
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I need to make changes within myself,
I'm asking him to change his ways
I need to change my actions and behavior,
And no message could have been any clearer
My intentions are clear,
If you want to make the world a better place
To improve the world, one must start with oneself,
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
Self-reflection is important to make a change,
I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
I have been self-centered in the love I give,
It's time that I realize
This is something I need to recognize,
That there are some with no home, not a nickel to loan
There are people who are homeless and have no financial resources,
Could it be really me, pretending that they're not alone?
I may be ignoring their loneliness,
A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart
The willow tree is a symbol of sadness and heartbreak,
And a washed-out dream
Faded dreams that have lost meaning,
They follow the pattern of the wind ya' see
The future seems uncertain and directionless,
'Cause they got no place to be
They have nowhere to go and nothing to do,
That's why I'm starting with me
So I need to start with myself,
No message could have been any clearer
My message is straightforward,
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Vocals
Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah
Vocals
Oh no, no no
Vocals
Come on!
I urge myself to act,
Just lift yourself
I need to raise my spirit and take control,
You know
I have faith that I can do it,
You've got to stop it,
Stop any negative behavior,
Yourself!
By my own action,
I've got to make that change, today!
I need to start the change right away,
Hoo!
Vocals
Stand up! Stand up! Stand up!
Encouraging me to stand and take action,
Aw!
Vocals
Gonna make that change
I am determined to make the change,
You know it!
I have the conviction and confidence,
(Change)
Vocals
Make that change.
I need to make that change.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Glen Ballard, Siedah Garrett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind