Michael Jackson Man in the Mirror (Music Video)

Michael Jackson Man in the Mirror

Michael Jackson Man in the Mirror is one of only two songs on his “Bad” album that he didn’t write. It has lyrics and music by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett. Siedah also sang backup. It is produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. It was released in February 1988 as the fourth single from his seventh solo album, “Bad” (1987).

Quincy Jones, wanted to include “an anthem” on the album, a song that would spread some “sunshine on the world”, according to his own words. He chose “Man In The Mirror” among several songs which were presented by songwriters from his publishing company.

Arranged with the Andrae Crouch Gospel Choir, the song is played in the keys of G major and A♭ major at a tempo of 100 bpm. The vocal range is A♭3–C6. The choir also sang on Madonna’s song “Like A Prayer” and Rick Astley’s “Cry For Help”.

Co-writer Siedah Garrett said in a 2017 interview with Songwriter Universe, that “this song was deeper than just the visual of a man looking at himself in the mirror.” She elaborated upon a theme, “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.”

The Man in the Mirror music video was directed, produced and edited by Don Wilson. Don and Michael Jackson developed the idea for the video. Larry Stessel who was Video Commissioner at Epic Records at the time was the Executive Producer. It features a montage of clips of children in Africa, Adolf Hitler, the Ku Klux Klan, Martin Luther King Jr., the Kent State shootings, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Lech Wałęsa, kids in Graduation, and other historical figures.

Man in the Mirror topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, becoming Jackson’s tenth number-one single on the chart, and was certified 3x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was nominated for Record of the Year at the 31st Grammy Awards.

The song peaked at number 21 in the UK Singles Charts in 1988, but in 2009, following the news of Jackson’s death, the song peaked at number 2. The song was remixed for the soundtrack of Jackson’s tribute tour Immortal.

An instrumental version of this song played at the end of Michael Jackson’s memorial service on the 7th of July 2009.

Man in the Mirror 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 blowing 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 you 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
Take a look at yourself and then make a change

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
You see
‘Cause they got no place to be
That’s why I’m starting with me

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

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 that change

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
(‘Cause you 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
Take a look at yourself and then make a change

Gonna feel real good now
Oh, no, oh, no

I’m gonna make a change
It’s gonna feel real good
Shame on
Change

Just lift yourself
You know
You’ve got to stop it yourself
(Yeah! Make that change!)
I’ve gotta make that change today
(Man in the mirror)
You got to
You got to not let yourself, brother
(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)

(Yeah. Make that change)
Gonna make that change
Come on
(Man in the mirror)

You know it
You know it
You know it
You know

Change
Make that change

.

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