Man In The Mirror

Song information

Authors: Siedah Garrett, Glen Ballard
Album title: Bad
Year of release: 1987
Duration: 5:18
Lyrics:
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 have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
(If you wanna 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 wanna make the world a better place
(If you wanna 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've been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
(If you wanna 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 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 close your... your mind!
(Then you close your... mind!)
That man, that man, that man, that man
With that 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 wanna make the world a better place
(If you wanna 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)
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!
Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah
(Oh yeah!)
Gonna feel real good now!
Yeah yeah! Yeah yeah! Yeah yeah!
Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah
(Ooooh...)
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!
Aaow!
(Yeah! — Make that change)
Gonna make that change... come on!
You know it!
You know it!
You know it!
You know...
(Change...)
Make that change.
Song recording information:
  • Michael Jackson: Solo and background vocals
  • Featuring Siedah Garrett, The Winans and The Andrae Crouch Choir
  • Ollie E. Brown: Clap
  • Dann Huff: Guitar
  • Greg Phillinganes: Keyboards
  • Glen Ballard, Randy Kerber: Synthesizers
  • Background vocals: Siedah Garrett
  • The Winans: Carvin, Marvin, Michael and Ronald Winans
  • Andrae Crouch and The Andrae Crouch Choir: Sandra Crouch, Maxi Anderson, Rose Banks, Geary Faggett, Vonciele Faggett, Andrew Gouche, Linda Green, Francine Howard, Jean Johnson, Perry Morgan, Alfie Silas
  • Rhythm arrangement by Glen Ballard and Quincy Jones
  • Synthesizer arrangement by Glen Ballard, Quincy Jones and Jerry Hey
  • Vocal arrangement by Andrae Crouch
Song released in albums:
Song type Album title, song's alt. title Duration Year of release
Michael Jackson — Bad 5:18 1987
Michael Jackson — Bad Special Edition 5:18 2001
Michael Jackson — Greatest Hits - HIStory - Volume I 5:19 2001
Michael Jackson — The Ultimate Collection 5:19 2004
Michael Jackson — The Essential Michael Jackson 5:19 2005
Michael Jackson — King Of Pop (Deluxe UK Edition) 5:19 2008
Michael Jackson — This Is It 5:20 2009
Michael Jackson — Bad 25 5:18 2012
[G] Michael Jackson — Bad 25 6:22 2012
[G] Michael Jackson — Live at Wembley July 16, 1988 6:22 2012
[I] Michael Jackson — Instrumental Version Collection 5:06 1988
Michael Jackson — The Bad Mixes 4:55 1989
[I] Michael Jackson - The Story - Played by London Twilight Orchestra - Vol. 1 Unknown
[I] Michael Jackson — Man In The Mirror [34-07668] S 4:55 1988
[I] The Rockridge Synthesizer Orchestra Plays Michael Jackson Unknown
Michael Jackson — Man In The Mirror [651388 7] S 4:55 1988
[I] Michael Jackson — Man In The Mirror [651388 7] S 4:55 1988
[I] London Synphonic Orchestra Plays Michael Jackson 4:26 1995
Michael Jackson — HIStory - Past, Present and Future - Book I 5:20 1995
[I] The Sunset Lounge Orchestra — The Michael Jackson Cool Down Experience - Part 2 3:49 2007
[I] #1 Tribute Band — Acoustic Guitar Tribute To Michael Jackson 5:19 2009
[I] Adam Rafferty — I Remember Michael - A Michael Jackson Solo Guitar Tribute 4:28 2011
Michael Jackson — Man In The Mirror [651388] S 4:55 1988
[I] Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ) Performs the Hits of Michael Jackson 3:42 2009
[I] Vienna Symphonic Orchestra Project (VSOP) — Vol. 3 4:17 1989
[R] Michael Jackson — Immortal 4:15 2011
[I] Michael Jackson — Man In The Mirror [651388] S 4:55 1988
Michael Jackson — Man In The Mirror [34-07668] S 4:55 1988