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Man in the Mirror

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For the 1936 film, see Man in the Mirror (film). For The Avengers episode, see Man in the Mirror (The Avengers).

"Man in the Mirror"
Song

"Man in the Mirror" is a song made popular by Michael Jackson and written by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett. Jackson's recording was produced by Quincy Jones and co-produced by Jackson. It peaked at number 1 in the United States when released in January 1988 as the fourth single from his seventh solo album, Bad. It is one of Jackson's most critically acclaimed songs and it was nominated for Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 2 weeks. The song peaked at number 21 in the UK Singles Charts in 1988, but in 2009, following the news of Jackson's death, the song peaked at number 2, having re-entered the chart at 11 the previous week as his top song on the singles chart.[1] It also became the number 1 single in iTunes downloads in the US and the UK,[2] having sold over 1.3 million digital copies in the former alone.[3]

Composition

"Man in the Mirror" was composed by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett. Jackson added background vocals from Garrett, The Winans and the Andrae Crouch Choir, which gave the song its distinctive sound. The song is said to have been one of his favorite songs.[4] Arranged with a gospel choir, Jackson would use a gospel choir again several years later on his hit "Will You Be There". Siedah Garrett also sang Jackson's duet "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" in summer 1987. The song is played in the key of G Major at a tempo of 100bpm. The vocal range is Ab3-C6.[5]

Critical response

Allmusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that this song showcases Michael at his worst and highlighted it on studio album.[6] When Ed Hogan reviewed the song, he called it "gentle."[7] Robert Christgau wrote: "He's against burglary, speeding, and sex in favor of harmonic convergence and changing the world by changing the man in the mirror."[8] Jon Pareles of The New York Times noted that this song has "gospelly lift."[9] Rolling Stone's Davitt Sigerson thought that "Man in the Mirror" stands among the half dozen best things Jackson has done, and he continued: "On "Man in the Mirror," a song he did not write, Jackson goes a step further and offers a straightforward homily of personal commitment: "I'm starting with the man in the mirror/I'm asking him to change his ways/And no message could have been clearer/If you wanna make the world a better place/Take a look at yourself and then make a change."[10]

Music video

One of the videos is a notable departure from Jackson's other videos mainly because Jackson himself does not appear in the video (aside from a brief clip toward the end of the video in which he can be seen donning a red jacket and standing in a large crowd). Instead, it featured a montage of footage from various major news events such as the nuclear explosion of Operation Crossroads, the Civil Rights March on Washington, John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy's assassinations, the Vietnam War, the Kent State shootings, the Iranian hostage crisis, Solidarity's birth and growth, Ethiopian famine, increases in U.S. homelessness, Live Aid, the first Farm Aid with Willie Nelson, Jessica McClure's rescue, Camp David Accords (with Anwar El Sadat, Menachem Begin and Jimmy Carter), INF Treaty signing (with Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan), and other notable people including Martin Luther King, Lech Wałęsa, Mother Teresa, Desmond Tutu, Mahatma Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, Pieter Willem Botha, Muammar al-Gaddafi, the Ku Klux Klan, and Adolf Hitler.[11]

The PCM Stereo music video version of this song was included on Number Ones, Michael Jackson's Vision, the Target version DVD of Bad 25, and the song's video that released on VHS in 1989.

An alternate live video was used as the opening song in Jackson's film Moonwalker with live audio and footage from several live performances of the song during the Bad World Tour.

Chart performance

"Man In The Mirror" was the 4th consecutive number-one single for Jackson's Bad in the United States. The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 48 on February 6, 1988, and reached number 1 by its 8th week on the chart, on March 26, 1988, where it remained for 2 weeks. It originally peaked at number 21 in the United Kingdom in 1988. However, following Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, "Man in the Mirror" re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 11, and the following week the song peaked at number 2, held off by Cascada's "Evacuate the Dancefloor". The chart had also contained over 12 Michael Jackson songs in the Top 40. This song had been at top 100 for 15 consecutive weeks in this chart. In Australia the song originally charted at number 39. After the singer's death, the song re-entered the chart and peaked at number 8, much higher than its original release. It was also the top single in iTunes downloads in the US and the UK[2]

Charts

Live performances

Jackson performed a live, extended version of the song at the 1988 Grammy Awards. He also performed the song as the ending of the concert during the Bad World Tour's second leg, and regularly during the Dangerous World Tour. Live versions of the song are available on the DVDs Live at Wembley July 16, 1988 and Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour. On July 16, 1996, Jackson also performed "Man in the Mirror" at the Royal Concert Brunei for the last time prior to the United We Stand benefit concert.

The instrumental introduction to the song was played at the end of Jackson's memorial service, while his casket was being carried out; followed by the appearance of a spotlight shining on a microphone on an empty stage. After a closing prayer that incorporated themes from the song, the spotlight remained shining on the lone microphone.[35] The song is also featured as the final number in Michael Jackson's This Is It.

The song was quoted by Jermaine Jackson during Celebrity Big Brother 2007, while confronting several housemates who had been bullying an Indian housemate, the Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty. The song was played into the house the following morning as an alarm.

See also

Track listing

  • 12" and CD
  1. "Man in the Mirror" (single version) – 5:00
  2. "Man in the Mirror" (album version) – 5:19
  3. "Man In The Mirror" (instrumental) – 5:00
  • 7"
  1. Man in the Mirror (single version) - 5:00
  2. Man in the Mirror (instrumental) - 5:00
  • Video single
  1. Man in the Mirror (music video) - 5:00

Running time: 5 minutes 30 seconds

Cover versions

  • 1990: Oklahoma guitarist Tuck Andress recorded an acoustic instrumental version for his album Reckless Precision.[36]
  • 2003: American songwriter and singer and writer of the song itself Siedah Garrett recorded a more stripped down acoustic version of the song for her second album Siedah.[37]
    • 2011: Garrett performed it as tribute to Michael Jackson at the 2011 Festival Mawazine in Morocco, Africa.[38]
  • 2005: The song was covered by Rythme Fatal with Redd Angel on the album Man in the Mirror.[39]
  • 2008: English musician James Morrison covers "Man in the Mirror" and is featured on the deluxe version of his second album Songs for You, Truths for Me.
  • 2011: Patrick Stump covered the song in an a cappella mash-up tribute with other Jackson songs over pre-recorded backing vocals.[40]
  • 2011: The cast of the Fox TV show Glee covered the song for the eighth episode of 3rd season, "Hold on to Sixteen".[41]
  • 2011: New York a cappella group Duwende covered the song in a video of their studio recording.[42]
  • 2012: Abraham Lim covered this song as his last chance performance on The Glee Project Season 2
  • 2012: YouTube Stars, Justin Robinett and Michael Henry released this Song as Part of their MHJR Classics Series.
  • 2012: Keke Palmer and The Cast of Joyful Noise The Movie & The Joyful Noise Soundtrack.
  • 2012: The Voice of Germany contestant & musician Gil Ofarim recorded an acoustic studio version of the song.[43]

Sampling/remixes

  • 2006: The song is sampled by Brooklyn hip hop artist Papoose during the summer of that year on his song "Gonna Make a Change" from mixtape The Boyz in the Hood.[44] The song describes his rough upbringing and his struggles.
  • 2008: Chicago-based rapper Rhymefest freestyles over the instrumental version of "Man in the Mirror" with Michael Jackson singing the chorus and a part of the second verse. It released on his tribute mixtape Mark Ronson Presents: Man in the Mirror.[45][46]

Live cover performances

See also: List of artists who have covered Michael Jackson

1980s

2000s

2010s

Personnel

  • Written and composed by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard
  • Produced by Quincy Jones
  • Co-Produced by Michael Jackson
  • Michael Jackson: Solo & background vocals
    • Featuring Siedah Garrett, The Winans and The Andrae Crouch Choir
  • Ollie E. Brown: Clap
  • Dann Huff: Guitar
  • Greg Phillinganes: Keyboards
  • Glen Ballard, Randy Kerber: Synthesizers
  • Siedah Garrett: Background vocals
  • The Winans: Carvin, Marvin, Michael and Ronald Winans
    • Andrae Crouch and his Choir: Sandra Crouch, Maxi Anderson, Rose Banks, Geary Faggett, Vonciele Faggett, Andrew Gouche, Linda Green, Pattie Howard, Jean Johnson, Perry Morgan, Alfie Silas, Roberto Noriega
  • Rhythm arrangement by Glen Ballard and Quincy Jones
  • Synthesizer arrangement by Glen Ballard, Quincy Jones and Jerry Hey
  • Vocal arrangement by Andrae Crouch

References

  1. ^ "Michael Jackson tops album chart". BBC News. News.bbc.co.uk. June 29, 2009. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Michael Jackson's music tops charts". CNN. Edition.cnn.com. July 1, 2009. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
  3. ^ Paul Grein (September 23, 2010). "Chart Watch Extra: Songs From The Last Century". Chart Watch. Nielsen Business Media. Yahoo! Music. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  4. ^ Siedah Garrett on writing a song for Michael Jackson. YouTube. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  5. ^ "Michael Jackson: Man In The Mirror Sheet Music". Sheetmusicdirect.com. Aerostation Corporation. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  6. ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Bad review at Allmusic". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  7. ^ Ed Hogan. "Man in the Mirror review at Allmusic". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  8. ^ Robert Christgau. "Michael Jackson". Robertchristgau.com. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  9. ^ Jon Pareles (August 31, 1987). "POP: MICHAEL JACKSON'S 'BAD,' FOLLOW-UP TO A BLOCKBUSTER". The New York Times. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  10. ^ Davitt Sigerson (October 22, 1987). "Michael Jackson – Bad". Rolling Stone. Jann S. Wenner. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  11. ^ ""Man In The Mirror" short film (with photos and video)". Leaf & Letters (in Japanese). Retrieved April 16, 2012.
  12. ^ bulion. "Forum - ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts - CHART POSITIONS PRE 1989, part 2". ARIA. Australian-charts.com. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  13. ^ a b "Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  14. ^ "Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  15. ^ "Man In The Mirror - MICHAEL JACKSON". VRT (in Dutch). Top30-2.radio2.be. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  16. ^ "Adult Contemporary - Volume 48, No. 1, April 23, 1988". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  17. ^ "Top Singles - Volume 47, No. 25, April 09 1988". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  18. ^ a b "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". IRMA. Retrieved July 31, 2013. Only results when searching "Man in the mirror"
  19. ^ "Indice per Interprete: J". HitParadeItalia (in Italian). Creative Commons. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  20. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  21. ^ a b "Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  22. ^ a b "Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  23. ^ "MAN IN THE MIRROR - Michael Jackson". Nowe Media, Polskie Radio S.A. LP3.polskieradio.pl. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  24. ^ a b c "Michael Jackson". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  25. ^ a b c d e f "Bad awards at Allmusic". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  26. ^ "Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  27. ^ "50 Back Catalogue Singles – 20 February 2010". Ultratop 50. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  28. ^ "Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror". Tracklisten. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  29. ^ "Michael Jackson - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  30. ^ "Japan Singles Chart". Achart.us. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  31. ^ "Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror". VG-lista. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  32. ^ "Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
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  34. ^ "Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  35. ^ Michael Jackson Memorial Final Closing Prayer by Pastor Lucious Smith "Man in the Mirror" (Youtube video). CNN. YouTube. July 7, 2009. Retrieved January 22, 2011. Note: The poster of the video added the segment of the song at the end of the video after the prayer.
  36. ^ "Tuck Andress – Reckless Precision (CD) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  37. ^ "Siedah Garrett's Man in the Mirror cover of Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror". WhoSampled.com. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  38. ^ Gary (June 1, 2011). "Siedah Garrett Performs her MJ Penned Classic "Man in The Mirror"". Singersroom Gossip. Blog.singersroom.com. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  39. ^ "Rythme Fatal feat. Redd Angel's Man in the Mirror cover of Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror". WhoSampled.com. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  40. ^ Erica Futterman. "Patrick Stump Pays Tribute to Michael Jackson in Awesome A Cappella Medley". Rolling Stone. Rollingstone.com. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  41. ^ Amanda Hensel (December 5, 2011). "'GLEE' CAST, 'MAN IN THE MIRROR' – SONG REVIEW". Rolling Stone. Pop Crush. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  42. ^ Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror (A Cappella Cover by Duwende). YouTube. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  43. ^ "Man In the Mirror (From The Voice Of Germany) - Single - Gil Ofarim". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  44. ^ "Papoose's Gonne Make That Change sample of Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror". WhoSampled.com. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  45. ^ "Man In The Mirror REMIX - MICHAEL JACKSON Ft RHYMEFEST". YouTube. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  46. ^ DJ Pizzo (February 14, 2008). "Mark Ronson Presents Rhymefest – "Man In The Mirror" – @@@@ Hiphopsite.com". Hiphopsite.com. Retrieved June 19, 2013. "Ronson teamed up with Chicago super-emcee Rhymefest for Man In The Mirror, a tribute album built upon samples from the King Of Pop himself, Michael Jackson."
  47. ^ Video on YouTube
  48. ^ Natalie Gauci - Top 9 - Man in the Mirror. YouTube. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  49. ^ "Diana Vickers Man in the Mirror X Factor". Metacafe Inc. October 19, 2008. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  50. ^ Catriona Wightman (December 6, 2009). "Danyl Johnson voted off 'The X Factor'". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  51. ^ "Check out my #telly". Telly. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  52. ^ Beth Hardie (July 1, 2009). "U2 sing tribute to Michael Jackson on first date of 360 world tour in Barcelona - video and pics". Mirror. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  53. ^ The Fray covers Michael Jackson's "Man In The Mirror". YouTube. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  54. ^ "Man in the Mirror - Nobel Peace Prize Concert (Noruega,11.12.09)". Lipstick Alley. DragonByte Technologies Ltd. December 14, 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  55. ^ Eddie Razaz Man in the mirror Idol 2009 Lyrics. YouTube. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  56. ^ Amy Studt - Man In The Mirror (M.J.). YouTube. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  57. ^ "Wang Lee Hom Covers Michael Jackson's Song in Respect". Live Journal. Aiyatheydidnt.livejournal.com. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  58. ^ Laura Gorini (January 7, 2010). "Marco Mengoni- Dove si vola (SonyMusic), l'ep di debutto della nuova stella della musica italiana". TC&C Srl (in Italian). Musicalnews.com. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  59. ^ The All-American Rejects - Gives You Hell (Acoustic Live 091609). YouTube. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  60. ^ Whitney Houston: Michael Jackson Tribute (MITM + Speech). YouTube. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  61. ^ The Liaison - Man in the Mirror (cover). YouTube. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  62. ^ Brad Wete (June 27, 2010). "Chris Brown finally gets his Michael Jackson tribute at BET Awards 2010. Amazing? Yes! Appropriate? Hmmm..." Entertainment Weekly. Music-mix.ew.com. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  63. ^ "Celine Dion Covers Michael Jackson's "Ben" & "Man In The Mirror" In New Vegas Show". Pop Crunch. SeaWaves Technology. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  64. ^ Angeline (April 6, 2011). "Video: Jacob Lusk Sings "Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson on April 6". Wetpaint.com. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  65. ^ Amanda Hensel (June 28, 2011). "Javier Colon and Adam Levine Sing Michael Jackson's 'Man in the Mirror' on 'The Voice'". Pop Crush. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
Preceded by Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
March 26, 1988 – April 2, 1988 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles number-one single
March 26, 1988 		Succeeded by
Preceded by UK R&B Chart number-one single
July 5, 2009 – July 19, 2009 		Succeeded by
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