Man in the Mirror was written by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett, and produced by Quincy Jones for Michael Jacksons seventh solo album, Bad. The song is about self-reflection and the power of change, inspired by Jacksons belief that change starts with the individual.
Key: G
Introduction:
G
D/F#
Em7
D
C9
G
D
Em
D
C
I'm gonna make a change, for once in my life
G
D
Em
D
C
It's gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference, gonna make it right
G
D
Em
D
C
As I, turn up the collar on my favorite winter coat, this wind is blowin' my mind
G
D
Em
D
I see the kids in the street, with not enough to eat
C
Who am I, to be blind, pretending not to see their needs
Am7
G
A summer's disregard, a broken bottle top
C
G
And a one man's soul
Am7
G
They follow each other on the wind ya' know
C
D
'Cause they got nowhere to go
G
That's why I want you to know
G
G
C
D
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
G
G
C
D
I'm asking him to change his ways
G
G
C
A
And no message could have been any clearer
Dm
If you wanna make the world a better place
G
D
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
Em
D
C
D
Na na na, na na na na, na na, na na, uh-huh
G
D
Em
D
C
I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love, It's time that I realize
G
D
Em
D
There are some with no home, not a nickel to loan
C
Could it be really me, pretending that they're not alone?
Am7
G
A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart
C
G
And a washed-out dream
Am7
G
They follow the pattern of the wind, ya' see
C
D
'Cause they got no place to be
G
That's why I'm starting with me
G
G
C
D
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
G
G
C
D
I'm asking him to change his ways
G
G
C
A
And no message could have been any clearer
Dm
If you wanna make the world a better place
G
D
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
G
G
C
D
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
G
G
C
D
I'm asking him to change his ways
G
G
C
A
And no message could have been any clearer
Dm
If you wanna make the world a better place
G
D
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
G#
G#/C
C#
D#
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
G#
G#/C
C#
D#
I'm asking him to change his ways
G#
G#/C
C#
A#
No message could have been any clearer
D#m
If you wanna make the world a better place
G#
G#/C
C#
D#
Take a look at yourself and then make the change
G#
G#/C
C#
D#
You gotta get it right, while you got the time
G#
G#/C
C#
D#
'Cause when you close your heart
G#
Then you close your, mind
G#/C
C#
D#
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
G#
G#/C
C#
D#
I'm asking him to change his ways
G#
G#/C
C#
A#
No message could have been any clearer
D#m
If you wanna make the world a better place
G#
D#/G
Take a look at yourself and then make that change
Fm
D#
C#
D#
G#
D#/G
Na na na, na na na na, na na, na na, oh yeah
Fm
D#
C#
Na na na, na na na na, na na, na na, oh no, oh no
C#
I'm gonna make a change
C#
It's gonna feel real good, come on (change)
C#
Just lift yourself, you know
C#
You've got to stop it, yourself (Yeah, make that change)
C#
I've got to make that change, today! hoo! (man in the mirror)
C#
You got to, you got to not let yourself brother, Hoo! (Yeah, make that change)
C#
I've got to get that man, that man (man in the mirror)
C#
You've got to, you've got to move! come on! come on!
C#
You got to, stand up! stand up! stand up! (Yeah, make that change)
C#
Stand up and lift yourself, now! (man in the mirror)
C#
Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Aaow! (Yeah, make that change)
C#
Gonna make that change, come on! (man in the mirror)