The Message Behind the Music-August 30

Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror (Official Video)

Inspiration Behind Man in the Mirror:

Man in the Mirror was conceived from a desire to create a song that would serve as an anthem for social change. At this stage in Michael’s career, Jackson was acutely aware of global issues such as poverty, apartheid, environmental degradation, and inequality. Siedah Garrett had been developing the concept of Man in the Mirror for a year, jotting down notes as a vision for this song became clear. When Michael noticed Garrett’s written lines about a man looking in the mirror, the direction for this song was captured.

Biblical Application:

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known, 1 Corinthians 13:11-12.

Exegesis of Man in the Mirror:

[Intro]
Mm-mm-mm
Ah, ooh, uh, uh

Warm up, ready to start.

[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, ah, uh
As I turned 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?

Michael was tired about talking about change without any actions. He began to take his role as a celebrity serious. While he was getting dressed on a cold winter day, his eyes were opened to the poverty surrounding him.

[Pre-Chorus]
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

Alluding to the homeless who follow each other as they have no place to go.

[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

Michael begins by looking at his own life to see how he can make a difference. Change starts with yourself by looking deep inside your heart and soul. Searching for conviction to be transformed into an agent of change.

[Post-Chorus]
Na-na-na, na-na-na, na-na, na-na
Uh-huh

A fun transition.

[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?

Michael had been so self-absorbed that he didn’t recognize all the needy people that he passed daily. Change begins with a random act of kindness that spreads to the point that you are inspired to give.

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

The need to become aware of your surroundings. To stop, see and start acting out in love.

[Chorus]
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)
(Oh, you better change)
And no message (Ooh, ooh) could have been any clearer

Michael is singing to himself. As if he was giving himself a pep talk to try harder. Don’t wait for others to do something. Be the catalyst by deciding to start making a difference today.

[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)

You can make a difference in this world if you want to. However, you must have a sense of urgency or you’ll be lulled back into a state of complacency.

[Chorus]
(That man, that man) I’m starting with the man in the mirror
(That man)
(Ohh yeah)
(That man, that man) I’m asking him to change his ways
(That man, the man, you know, that man)
(Well, I’ll change)
And no message could have been any clearer (Ooh, ooh)
If you want to 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

The final chorus hoping to inspire others to make a difference in this life.

[Post-Chorus]
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 no, oh no

Giving makes you feel good.

[Outro]
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, brother, (Yeah) hoo
(Make that change) I gotta make that change today, hoo (Man in the mirror) You’ve got to, you got to start with yourself, brother, hoo (Yeah)
You know (Make that change)
I started with that man, that man (Man in the mirror)
You’ve got to, you’ve got to move, shamone, shamone
You’ve 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, oww (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

Final call to action, challenging listeners to get off the sidelines and begin to help their fellow citizens. Make a change today.

Final Thoughts:

My first job after graduating college was in social work. I was a Summer Workcamp Coordinator for the Methodist Action Program in Wilmington, Delaware. I worked with local churches to set up one day, weekend and weeklong service projects in needy neighbors. One of my favorite memories is when a youth group transformed a drug infested playground full of glass, overgrown weeds and trash. By the end of the day, children began to play here for the first time in months. This is how change occurs.

by Jay Mankus