man in the mirror; original

the man in the mirrors looking pretty today
with a nod of the head he’ll be on his way
he’s gonna play the same old songs
to the people he tries to arrest
who always leave in their orange vests
he can’t keep a prisoner for long

man in the mirror, what’ll it be today?
a disappearing act or will you decide to stay?
you know they’ll cut their losses either way

he’s got a habit of playing chase
with all the people that he’s replaced
when they catch up, he just tries again
to put together a new ideal
landed on by a spinning wheel
he can mimic, but it’s all pretend

chorus

he goes for people that will let him in
but two way streets are alien
to a figure cut from a paper moon
so origami your 1000th crane
and hope for simple things again
he wishes, doesn’t have to choose

man in the mirror go about your day
keep making mountains out of all the things you say
and try to climb a path made to decay