Released in 1988 as a single from the album Bad, "Man in the Mirror" is Michael Jackson's most direct song about personal responsibility: instead of blaming the world, it asks the person in the mirror to change first. The gospel choir in the chorus turned it into an anthem for social campaigns and into one of the most remembered performances of his career. For English learners, it is one of the clearest lyrics in pop: short lines, concrete words, one idea repeated until it sticks.
Lyrics
Man in the Mirror — Michael Jackson
English
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've 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
They follow the pattern of the wind, ya 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've been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
[…]
Grammar
What you learn from this song
Present Continuous (Presente Contínuo)
O presente contínuo (verbo to be + verbo com -ing) mostra algo acontecendo agora ou uma decisão que já começou. Na música ele não descreve rotina: descreve uma virada que o narrador está começando neste instante.
"I'm starting with the man in the mirror" — Tradução em português: "Eu estou começando pelo homem no espelho"
"I'm asking him to change his ways" — Tradução em português: "Estou pedindo que ele mude o jeito dele"
"This wind is blowin' my mind" — Tradução em português: "Esse vento está mexendo com a minha cabeça"
Going to / gonna (Futuro de intenção)
Para falar de algo que você já decidiu fazer, o inglês usa going to, que na fala vira gonna. É o futuro mais comum do dia a dia e aparece logo nos primeiros versos.
"I'm gonna make a change" — Tradução em português: "Eu vou fazer uma mudança"
"It's gonna feel real good" — Tradução em português: "Vai ser muito bom"
"Gonna make a difference" — Tradução em português: "Vou fazer diferença"
Imperative (Imperativo)
O imperativo usa o verbo na forma base, sem sujeito, para dar um conselho ou uma ordem. O refrão inteiro se apoia nele: é o convite direto que a canção faz a quem escuta.
"Take a look at yourself and then make a change" — Tradução em português: "Olhe para si mesmo e então faça uma mudança"
Fun facts
Did you know?
Michael Jackson did not write the lyrics. They were written by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard.
Siedah Garrett is also the female voice on "I Just Can't Stop Loving You", from the same album.
The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1988.
The chorus was recorded with the Andraé Crouch Choir and the Winans, two major names in American gospel.
His 1988 Grammy performance of the song is considered one of the highlights of his career.
For students
Why learn English with this song?
The lyrics are a fast course in the present continuous and in "gonna", two structures learners hear constantly in films and series but rarely see explained. Jackson sings slowly and articulates well, the lines are short and the chorus repeats, so the language sinks in without effort.
Ready to practice?
Listen to “Man in the Mirror”, fill in the missing words and earn points. Free.
Play with this song