Man in the Mirror
Texas Lightning 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 song "Man in the Mirror" by Texas Lightning talks about starting to make changes and the impact it can have on the world. The singer highlights the need to look at oneself and change the ways that contribute to the problems faced by the poor and homeless. The lyrics touch on topics like poverty, selfishness, and the need for a better world. The song emphasizes the importance of taking action and acknowledges that making a difference begins with making personal changes.
In the second verse, the singer states that he has been a victim of a selfish kind of love, which may mean that he has been too focused on himself and not paying attention to the needs of others. With lines like "A summer disregard, a broken bottle top, and a one man soul," the song recognizes the plight of those who feel lost and have nowhere to go. It urges people to take responsibility for their actions and make a change.
The chorus repeats the message of the song, asking the man in the mirror to change his ways and make the world a better place. The song concludes with a call to action, asking the listener to stand up and make that change.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna make a change,
I will take action towards change
For once I'm my life
This will be a unique transformation
It's gonna feel real good,
The results will be satisfying
Gonna make a difference
I will affect positive change
Gonna make it right
I will correct past wrongs
As I, turn up the collar on
The following actions occur while adjusting my appearance
My favorite winter coat
The warmest clothing item of clothing I own
This wind is blowing my mind
The weather conditions are concerning me
I see the kids in the streets,
I have noticed the situation of children who live outside
With not enough to eat
They experience food insecurity
Who am I to be blind?
It is not acceptable for me to ignore this reality
Pretending not to see their needs
It is wrong to ignore the needs of others
A summer disregard,a broken bottle top
Existence marred by waste
And a one man soul
Individuals struggling alone
They follow each other on the wind ya' know
People with no destination, driven by circumstance
'Cause they got nowhere to go
They are wandering without purpose or direction
That's why I want you to know
This is why I need to bring about change
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I will first alter myself before the world
I'm asking him to change his ways
I will hold myself accountable for change
And no message could have been any clearer
There can be no clearer saying
If you want to make the world a better place
To improve the world
(If you want to make the world a better place)
Make the following simple changes
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
Examine oneself and change appropriately
(Take a look at yourself, and then make a change)
Reflect on self-improvement
(Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah)
Refrain
I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
Love that is self-centered
It's time that I realize
It is time I come to this realization
That there are some with no home, not a nickel to loan
Some individuals are homeless, with no money to their name
Could it be really me, pretending that they're not alone?
Could I be guilty of ignoring other's isolation?
A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart
Symbolic of the emotional pain carried by individuals
And a washed-out dream
Vivid dreams that never come to fruition
(Washed-out dream)
Refrain
They follow the pattern of the wind ya' see
Their path is dictated by circumstance
'Cause they got no place to be
People with nowhere to call home
That's why I'm starting with me
I must first improve myself
(Starting with me!)
This represents a beginning
(Ooh!)
Exclamation
No message could have been any clearer
The following messages cannot be expressed more clearly
Take a look at yourself and then make that
Examine oneself and act
(Take a look at yourself and then make that)
Reflective exhortation
Change!
Actively make a difference in the world
(Better change!)
Emphatic direction to alter oneself
(Man in the mirror, oh yeah!)
Referring to oneself as 'man in the mirror'
(If you want to make the world a better place)
Guide to world improvement
(You gotta get it right, while you got the time)
Admonishment to act quickly while there is still an opportunity
('Cause when you close your heart)
When your heart is closed
You can't close your, your mind!
One's mind must remain open
(Then you close your, mind!)
Refrain
That man, that man, that man, that man
Referring to oneself
You know, that man
I know that man
You've got to move! Come on!
You must take action
Stand up! Stand up! Stand up!
Directive to get up and act
(Yeah! Make that change)
Enthusiastic exclamation about change
Stand up and lift yourself, now!
Take action to help yourself
(Man in the mirror)
Referring to oneself
(Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Aw!)
Exhausted exclamation
(Gonna make that change)
Assured statement of impending alteration
(Change)
Refrain
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Glen Ballard, Siedah Garrett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind