Man in the Mirror
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"Man in the Mirror" was a number-one hit for singer Michael Jackson when released as a single in the spring of 1988. 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 garnered massive airplay and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks. The midtempo track is well known for its dramatic flourishes and Jackson's passionate delivery of its poignant lyrics. The song's lyrics were composed by songwriters Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett (who can be heard singing in the background with Jackson). Jackson added background vocals from Garrett, the Winans and the Andrae Crouch Choir, which gave the song its distinctive sound and greatly contributed to its popularity.
The song popularized the use of gospel choirs in pop songs during this era which can be heard on popular tracks by such as artists as Debbie Gibson, Mariah Carey, and on Madonna's 1989 number one hit "Like A Prayer". It remains one of Jackson's most popular songs. The song kept Jackson's streak of number-one hits going as it became the fourth song from the Bad album to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Jackson has performed the song live at several concerts in the past, and also performed a live, extended version at the 1988 Grammy Awards.
Credits
- Written, arranged and composed by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard
- Produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson
- Lead and background vocals by Michael Jackson
- Accompanying background vocals by Siedah Garrett, the Winans and the Andrae Crouch Choir
- Vocal Arrangement by Andrae Crouch
- Rhythm Arrangement by Glenn Ballard and Quincy Jones
- Synthesizer Arrangement by Glen Ballard, Quincy Jones and Jerry Hey
Mixes
- Album Version 5:18
- 7" Version 5:03
- Instrumental 5:03
Music Video
The music video to "Man in the Mirror" did not feature any footage of Jackson singing (though it did have some pictures in it). It generally shows footage of historic events in escalating intensity of violence and despair, leading up to a nuclear explosion at the point where the key of the song changes, followed by footage expressing hope and peace.
The nuclear explosion footage was from the Baker test of Operation Crossroads.
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External links
- [Lyrics]
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