“Man in the Mirror” is one of Michael Jackson’s most famous and uplifting songs. It came out in 1988 as part of his “Bad” album. The song was written by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett, and it quickly became an anthem for people who want to make positive changes in the world.
The song carries a message of self-reflection and personal change. It encourages people to take a look at themselves and make positive changes in their lives.
In this article, we’ll dive into the meaning of the lyrics.
“Man in the Mirror” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
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 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
In Verse 1, Michael Jackson expresses his intention to make a positive change in his life, singing, “I’m gonna make a change for once in my life, It’s gonna feel real good.”
He mentions that he aims to make a difference and do what is right, inspired by the lyrics, “Gonna make a difference, gonna make it right.”
Jackson describes how he adjusts the collar of his winter coat while observing the hardships faced by children on the street who don’t have enough to eat, singing, “As I turn up the collar on my favorite winter coat, This wind is blowin’ my mind.”
He feels a responsibility not to turn a blind eye to their needs, expressing this sentiment with the lyrics, “Who am I to be blind, pretending not to see their needs?”
He also mentions the impact of neglect, symbolized by a broken bottle top and the suffering of one man’s soul, as he sings, “A summer’s disregard, a broken bottle top, And one man’s soul.”
The reference to people following each other on the wind signifies their lack of direction, which he captures with the lyrics, “‘Cause they got nowhere to go.”
Jackson emphasizes the need for personal change to make the world a better place, encouraging self-reflection and action with the line, “That’s why I want you to know.”
[Chorus]
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
Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na
The chorus carries a powerful message. It involves Michael Jackson addressing the need for personal transformation to create a better world.
In the chorus, Jackson sings, “I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways.” Here, he emphasizes that the first step towards positive change is looking at oneself and making improvements. He calls for self-reflection and self-improvement.
The line, “And no message could have been any clearer,” underscores the clarity of this message. Jackson emphasizes that there is no more explicit or crucial message than the one he is conveying: that individuals must change themselves to contribute to a better world.
The chorus ends with the repeated phrase, “Take a look at yourself and then make a change.” This repetition reinforces the idea that personal change is essential for making the world a better place.
[Verse 2]
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
In Verse 2, Michael Jackson reflects on his past behavior and acknowledges the need for personal growth and empathy.
Jackson begins by admitting that he has been a victim of a selfish kind of love, suggesting that he may have been self-centered or neglectful in the past. He sings, “I’ve been a victim of a selfish kinda love.”
He then expresses the realization that there are people without homes and who lack even a small amount of money to their name. Jackson questions whether it could be him pretending not to notice their isolation and suffering, singing, “Not a nickel to loan, Could it be really me pretending that they’re not alone?”
The verse further touches upon the theme of brokenness and sorrow, using the metaphor of a “willow deeply scarred” and “somebody’s broken heart.” These symbols represent the pain and suffering present in the world.
Jackson continues to emphasize the importance of personal change and introspection, stating that he is “starting with [himself].” This reinforces the idea that individual change is the first step toward making a positive impact on the world.
[Chorus 2]
I’m starting with the man in the mirror (Who?)
I’m asking him to change his ways (Who?)
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 (Who?)
I’m asking him to change his ways (Who?)
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 (Man in the mirror, oh, yeah)
I’m asking him to change his ways (Change his ways)
(Come on, change)
And no message could have been any clearer
In this chorus, Michael Jackson sings, “I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways.” Here, he reiterates the idea that positive change begins with self-reflection and personal transformation. He calls upon himself, as well as others, to initiate this change.
The phrase, “And no message could have been any clearer,” emphasizes the unmistakable clarity of the message he’s conveying. Jackson underscores that the call for individual change is the most crucial and unmistakable message.
The chorus continues with the repeated line, “Take a look at yourself and then make that change.” This repetition emphasizes the importance of examining one’s actions, attitudes, and behavior before taking action to improve oneself and, by extension, the world.
[Bridge]
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 (You can’t)
Then you close your mind (Close your, your mind!)
In this section, Michael Jackson sings, “If you wanna make the world a better place, Take a look at yourself and then make the change.” Here, he emphasizes that the desire to improve the world begins with introspection and self-improvement. It highlights the idea that one’s actions and choices can influence and contribute to positive change in the broader society.
The next lines, “You gotta get it right while you got the time, ‘Cause when you close your heart, Then you close your mind,” underscore the urgency of taking action and making the right choices promptly. It suggests that change should not be delayed, as closing one’s heart and mind to the need for change only perpetuates problems.
The Bridge serves as a call to action, urging individuals to seize the opportunity to make a positive impact on the world by examining themselves and embracing personal growth and change.
[Outro]
Hoo, hoo (Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na), hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo!
Gonna feel real good (Oh, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na)
Yeah, yeah, oh, oh no
I’m gonna make a change
It’s gonna feel real good, shamone (Change)
Just lift yourself, you know
You’ve got to start with yourself, (Yeah) hoo!
(Make that change) I gotta make that change today, hoo!
(Man in the mirror) You got to, you got to not pick yourself, brother, hoo! (Yeah)
You know (Make that change)
I’ve gotta get that man, that man (Man in the mirror)
You got to, you got to move, shamone, shamone
You got to stand up (Yeah), stand up (Make that change), stand up, stand up and lift yourself now (Man in the mirror)
Hoo, hoo, hoo! Aaow! (Yeah, make that change)
Go make that change, shamone (Man in the mirror)
You know it, you know it, you know it, you know (Change)
Make that change
In the Outro, Michael Jackson repeats the phrase “Gonna feel real good” multiple times, emphasizing the positive and uplifting feeling that comes from committing to personal change and self-improvement. It reflects a sense of hope and optimism.
The repetition of “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah” and “Oh, oh no” adds emotional depth and intensity to the conclusion, emphasizing the importance of the message conveyed throughout the song.
Jackson’s vocal ad-libs and exclamations, such as “shamone” and “Aaow,” contribute to the emotional and energetic atmosphere of the Outro, reinforcing the idea that making a change is a passionate and transformative process.
The Outro ends with a resounding call to action, with Jackson encouraging listeners to “make that change” and “stand up and lift yourself now.”
Deeper Meaning Behind “Man in the Mirror”
“Man in the Mirror” is a powerful anthem about personal responsibility, self-reflection, and the potential for positive change in the world. The phrase “man in the mirror” refers to one’s own reflection when looking at oneself in a mirror.
In the song, Jackson encourages people to look within themselves and acknowledge the need for self-improvement, as he sings, “I’m gonna make a change for once in my life, It’s gonna feel real good.”
He emphasizes that the first step towards making the world a better place is to start with oneself: “I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways.”
However, Jackson also acknowledges his past mistakes and the selfishness that he, like many, may have exhibited: “I’ve been a victim of a selfish kinda love, It’s time that I realize.”
Throughout the song, there’s a call for personal change and the understanding that our actions collectively shape the world. The Bridge says, “You gotta get it right while you got the time, ‘Cause when you close your heart, Then you close your mind.”
In a 2017 interview with Songwriter Universe, co-writer Siedah Garrett said:
“The song was deeper than just the visual of a man looking at himself in the mirror. It was that, juxtaposed with the idea of a man going deeper inside himself to change from within. To make a difference on the outside, you have to first start from within. So I think that Michael just got it… he got the meaning of the song right away.”
In the end, the song tells us that if we want a better world, we need to change ourselves first. We should open our hearts and minds and take meaningful steps to make things better.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.