"Man in the Mirror" Quotes

Context

This line is sung by Michael Jackson in the song "Man in the Mirror," written by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard, from the album Bad (1987).

"Man in the Mirror" is really proof that pop music can inspire change in the world, with the help of a gospel choir. It's a socially conscious single from the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The song features a video that is more focused on world events—with montages of news reports and historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr.—than on moonwalking or creepy monsters.

Michael Jackson gives us a powerful call to examine ourselves and create change in the world ourselves instead of waiting for someone else to do it. We don't have to singlehandedly end war, hunger, and suffering, but we can do little things like give a homeless person some food.

Pretty good stuff, MJ.

Where you've heard it

"Man in the Mirror" is one of the most famous pop songs of all time, and if you haven't heard the original, you've at least heard one of the dozens of times it's been performed on reality shows like American Idol, Britain's Got Talent, and The Voice.

Additional Notable References:

• Man in the Mirror is the name of the highly criticized 2004 VH-1 TV movie about Michael Jackson's life and music.
• In honor of Quincy Jones' (the producer of "Man in the Mirror") 80th birthday, Jordin Sparks, Snoop Dogg, and Jason Derulo teamed up with the co-writer of the song, Siedah Garrett, for a special cover of the song.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

This lyric is something that everyone should aspire to.