Man in the Mirror
The Singers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 to Michael Jackson’s song Man In The Mirror appear to be a call to action for people to confront societal problems and make a positive impact on the world. The singer acknowledges the need to start with oneself before making any external changes. The song highlights the way society tends to operate through a series of broken cycles, which can only be remedied when individuals strive for change within themselves. The lyrics encourage individuals to look around themselves and become aware of the needs of those who are less fortunate.


The singer turns the focus on himself and asks: "Could it be really me, pretending that they're not alone?" Here, the lyrics remind the listener that it is easy to overlook the plight of those who are struggling, to let apathy drive inaction. However, the best way to make a positive impact on society is to start with oneself. The song's central message is one of self-reflection and self-improvement for the sake of influencing positive change in the world.


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
I have decided to make a positive change in my life and do something worthwhile that is going to have a long-lasting impact on the world around me. This is something that will make me feel satisfied and content in the long run.


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
As I walk through the windy streets, I see children who are suffering from poverty and lack of basic necessities. I realize that it is not right to be ignorant of their plight and must attempt to help them instead.


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
Many people in society have no direction or hope and follow others aimlessly. I want to bring this to everyone's attention so that they can help others who are lost and struggling.


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 know that in order to make the world a better place, I have to start with myself and make the necessary changes in my own life. People should also be introspective and evaluate themselves to see if they can also make any positive changes.


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?
In the past, I have only been focused on myself and my own interests. However, I now understand that there are people out there who are suffering and need help. I can no longer pretend that I am unaware of their predicaments.


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!)
There are people who have been deeply scarred emotionally due to certain experiences in life. These people often feel lost and don't have a clear goal in mind. I am beginning my journey of helping others by first working on myself.


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 urging everyone out there to follow in my footsteps and make positive changes in their own lives. This is the only way we can improve the world around us and create a better tomorrow.


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!)
It's important to get your act together and make a positive change while you still have the chance. If you harden your heart to the needs of others, you will start to see everything through a negative lens. The man in the mirror is the key to unlocking the door to a brighter future.


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)
It's the man in the mirror who needs to make the critical changes in order to bring about a better tomorrow. Everyone should focus on themselves and see where they need to make improvements so that they can take positive action for the future.


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.
It's time for everyone to take a stand and start making changes for the better. Lift yourself up and take action now! Everybody knows what needs to be done, so let's get moving and start to make a real difference in the world.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Glen Ballard, Siedah Garrett

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@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



All comments from YouTube:

@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.

@clem9239

Francisco Delgado follow me please

@janiceofoh5918

This song touches my heart. For this man to write this song told me how gifted and talented he really was. .miss you Mj

127 More Replies...

@user-de6bu3ck6w

"If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change." I love this line.

@baileysmillie6915

If everybody could see what this means then the world would indeed be a better place

@dianaspeechless

L.O.V.E 🌬️ 💗

@smii2052

100% right! ❤🌎

More Comments

More Versions