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 have 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 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

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

Chorus (x 2)

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
No message could have been any clearer
[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 close your... your mind
[Then you close your... mind!]
That man, that man, that man, that man, that man
That man, the man, you know, that man
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself then make a change
Gonna feel real good, yeah
No, no, no, no
I’m gonna make a change
It’s gonna feel real good
Sure mon
Just lift yourself
You know, you got to stop it, yourself, brother
I gotta make that change, today
You got to, you got to not let yourself, brother
You know, starting with that man, the man
You got, you got to move
Sure mon, sure mon
You got to
Stand up, stand up, stand up
Stand up and lift yourself, now
Gonna make that change, sure mon
You know it, you know it, you know it, you know
Make that change

(Written and composed by Siedah Garrett & Glen Ballard)

© 1987 Yellow Brick Road Music / MCA Publishing (a division of MCA, Inc.) / Aerostation Corporation
All rights reserved. Used by permission.