“Man in the Mirror” is one of Michael Jackson’s most popular and inspirational songs. It was released in 1988 as a part of his album “Bad.” The song was written by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett, and it quickly became an anthem for those who seek to make positive changes in the world.
Many fans would remember that an instrumental version of the song was played at the end of Jackson’s memorial service, which was a touching tribute to the late artist.
The song is not just a masterpiece in terms of its musical and lyrical composition, but it also delivers a strong and powerful message that is still relevant today. In this article, we will analyze the lyrics of “Man in the Mirror” and explore the meaning behind them.
Lyrics Interpretation
Before we delve into the story behind this song, let’s take a closer look at each verse of the lyrics.
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”
The first verse of “Man in the Mirror” sets the tone for the entire song. It starts with Michael Jackson acknowledging his own faults and mistakes and expresses a desire to make a positive change in his life.
The line “For once in my life” suggests that he has not always been on the right track and is now determined to change that. The message behind this verse is that change starts with the individual, and if we want to see a better world, we must first be willing to change ourselves.
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”
The chorus of “Man in the Mirror” is perhaps the most memorable and impactful part of the song. It emphasizes the message of the song, which is that positive change starts with the individual.
Michael Jackson sings about starting with the “man in the mirror” and asking him to change his ways. He goes on to say that if we want to make the world a better place, we must first take a look at ourselves and make the necessary changes.
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?”
The second verse of “Man in the Mirror” touches on the theme of self-awareness and empathy. Michael Jackson sings about being a victim of a selfish kind of love, which could refer to the love he received from his fans, family, or even himself.
He then goes on to acknowledge that there are people in the world who are less fortunate and in need of help. He questions whether he has been pretending that they are not alone and whether he should take action to help them.
Bridge
“You gotta get it right
While you got the time
‘Cause when you close your heart
You can’t close your mind”
The bridge of “Man in the Mirror” is a call to action. It emphasizes the importance of taking action now while there is still time. The line “when you close your heart, you can’t close your mind” suggests that we should not turn a blind eye to the suffering around us and that we should remain open to new ideas and perspectives.
Verse 3
“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 wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change”
The third verse of “Man in the Mirror” brings back the chorus but with a slight variation. Instead of just focusing on the “man in the mirror,” Michael Jackson now sings about “that man” who is standing with the man in the mirror. This suggests that the message of the song is not just about the individual, but also about those around us.
The line “I’m asking him to change his ways” emphasizes that we have a responsibility to help others change for the better. The message of the chorus is reinforced once again, with Michael Jackson urging listeners to take a look at themselves and make the necessary changes to make the world a better place.
True Meaning Behind “Man in the Mirror”
“Man in the Mirror” is a popular song by the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The song inspires listeners to reflect on themselves and make positive changes in their lives and the world. However, the life of Michael Jackson raises questions about the meaning behind the song.
1988 Version
The 1988 version of “Man in the Mirror” is a reflection of Michael Jackson’s growing social consciousness and his contributions to social change.
As a successful black artist who had lived through the Civil Rights Movement, Jackson saw the relationship between personal identity and society.
The song is sentimental, idealistic, and sensitive, and it reflects a positive self-image. The man in the mirror that Jackson saw in 1988 may have been the same man he had always seen.
2009 Version
The 2009 version of “Man in the Mirror” tells a different story. By the time of his death, Michael Jackson had become embroiled in controversy, including accusations of child molestation and rumors about his plastic surgeries and changing skin color.
He responded to this attention with bitterness and increasingly bizarre behavior, including wearing surgical masks in public and keeping his children veiled.
This version of the song reflects a man whose struggles with self-image, personal identity, and media attention had spiraled out of control.
Two Stories Told by “Man in the Mirror”
“Man in the Mirror” is not just one song, but two. The 1988 version reflects a man who was at the peak of his success and had a positive self-image.
He was motivated to create positive change in the world. The 2009 version reflects a man who was struggling with personal demons and was deeply affected by negative media attention.
He had lost his positive self-image and was unable to cope with the pressures of fame.
The two versions of the song represent two different stories about the same man.
Music Video
Michael Jackson is known for his iconic music videos that often feature his unique dance moves and extravagant costumes. However, “Man in the Mirror” stands out as a notable departure from Jackson’s usual style. Interestingly, Jackson himself does not appear in the video, except for a brief clip towards the end of the video where he can be seen wearing a red jacket and standing in a large crowd.
The music video was directed, produced, and edited by Don Wilson, in collaboration with Jackson who developed the idea. Larry Stessel, the video commissioner at Epic Records at the time, served as the executive producer.
The video features a montage of various major news events and famous people, such as starving children in Africa, historical figures like Adolf Hitler, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela, as well as more recent events like the Iran hostage crisis and the rescue of Jessica McClure. Additionally, the video features clips of homeless people in the US, kids in graduation, and other significant historical moments.
The PCM Stereo music video version of the song can be found on Michael Jackson’s Number Ones, Michael Jackson’s Vision, and the Target version DVD of Bad 25. The video was also released on VHS in 1989.
For fans of Michael Jackson’s live performances, an alternate live video of “Man in the Mirror” was used as the opening song in Jackson’s film Moonwalker. This version includes live audio and footage from several live performances during the Bad World Tour.
The first segment of Moonwalker features a live performance of “Man in the Mirror” during Jackson’s Bad Tour in Europe and America, with clips from Met Center and other venues.
Conclusion
“Man in the Mirror” is a powerful and inspirational song that encourages listeners to reflect on themselves and make positive changes in their lives and the world.
However, the life of Michael Jackson raises questions about the meaning behind the song.
The two versions of “Man in the Mirror” represent two different stories about the same man, reflecting his positive self-image in 1988 and his struggles with self-image and media attention in 2009.
The song continues to be a tribute to the late King of Pop and a reminder of the importance of self-reflection and positive change.