Michael Jackson

Released: July 16, 1988

Songwriter: Siedah Garrett Glen Ballard

Producer: Quincy Jones

[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 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 need?

[Pre-Chorus]
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

[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
Nanana, nanana, nana, nana, uh-huh

[Verse 2]
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?

[Pre-Chorus]
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

[Chorus]
I'm starting with the man in the mirror (Oh)
I'm asking him to change his ways (Oh)
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 (Oh)
I'm asking him to change his ways (Oh)
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 (Oh yeah)
I'm asking him to change his ways (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

[Bridge]
You gotta get it right
While you got the time
'Cause when you close your heart
You can't close your, your mind
That man, that man (Man in the mirror), that man (Oh yeah)
That man, that man, that man, that man
(I'm asking him to change his ways - you better change)
That man, 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

[Outro]
Hoo, hoo, hoo
(Nanana, nanana, nana, nana)
Hoo, hoo, hoo
Gonna feel real good, yeah (Oh yeah)
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah
(Nanana, nanana, nana, nana)
I'm gonna make a change
It's gonna feel real good, shamon (Change)
Just lift yourself
You know it
You've got to stop it yourself (Yeah)
Hoo (Make that change)
I've gotta make that change today
(Man in the mirror)
You got to move, you know it, you know it
Yeah, brother
(Yeah! Make that change!)
Here for the brother
(Man in the mirror)
You know it, you know it, you do
(Yeah! Make that change! Man in the mirror)
You know it, you know it, you do, ooh, oh
(Yeah! Make that change!)
Gonna make that change today, yeah
(Man in the mirror)
Yeah yeah, stand up for me
(Yeah! Make that change!)
Stand up for me
(Man in the mirror)
Stand up for your brother, ah, stand up for it
(Man in the mirror)
'Cause, uh, you know it, you know it, you do, woo
(Yeah! Make that change! Man in the mirror)
Stand up
(Yeah! Make that change!)
Stand up for your sister, stand up for your brother
(Man in the mirror)
You know it, you know it, you know it, you know
(Change)
Make that change

I love you
I love you
Good night, everybody
Thank you
I'm gonna make that change, shamone
I love you
(Yeah! Make that change! Man in the mirror)
(Yeah! Make that change! Man in the mirror)
(Yeah! Make that change! Man in the mirror)
(Change)

Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana. Jackson began his career when he was seven years old as the lead singer of the Jackson 5, breaking into stardom in 1969 after signing into Motown. The Jackson 5’s first four singles all peaked at number one on the Billboard 100, and soon after Michael pursued a solo career.

His breakthrough fifth album, 1979’s Off The Wall produced four top ten hits (including “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”) and sold 20 million copies, establishing him as a household name. The album was followed with 1982’s Thriller, which became the best selling album of all time, and was the first album to feature seven top 10 singles, including “Billie Jean” and “Beat It.”

In 1985, Michael contributed to the collaboration single “We Are The World”, which remains one of the best-selling singles of all time and raised nearly $65 million for famine relief.

more tracks from the album

The Indispensable Collection

From the albums

Michael Jackson popular songs

Man in the Mirror (Live at Wembley Stadium, July 16, 1988)Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

The Indispensable Collection