Michael Jackson, The Way You Make Me Feel | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

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In the 104^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “The Way You Make Me Feel” by Michael Jackson.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past. The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 104^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “The Way You Make Me Feel”, performed by Michael Jackson.

In the 1980s, Michael Jackson had TWO juggernaut albums – Thriller in 1982 and Bad in 1987. Though it was an arduous task for even a prodigious superstar like Jackson to follow up the biggest of the two juggernauts in Thriller, Bad is a masterpiece in its own right. Bad landed five no. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including its third single, “The Way You Make Me Feel”. “The Way You Make Me Feel” is a vibe from the onset, thanks to a fierce revving sound (for lack of a better description) and the signature 80s drum programming – gotta love that boxy sound! The groove cooks, including a bass line for the ages. Jackson penned this memorable number and produced it alongside the iconic Quincy Jones. Even if those drums sound anachronistic in the 2020s, the charm and sheer energy of this joint never loses its freshness or luster.

classic “The Way You Make Me Feel” is a prime example of Michael Jackson embracing being The King of Pop. Yes, the soulful, R&B vibes are still present, particularly those accented horns, as well as the bluesy harmonic structure, but, this is a pop record. Jackson is in great voice, following the groove with his signature “Hee-hee.” The structure is straightforward, which makes “The Way You Make Me Feel” incredibly accessible. Furthermore, the writing is straightforward too – love, love, love. “You give me fever like I’ve never, ever known,” Jackson asserts in the first verse, adding in the pre-chorus, “I feel your fever from miles around.” In the second verse, he melts because of her – “Just hold me, baby, and I’m in ecstasy.” Oh, the power of a crush and a relationship! Of course, the main attraction – the focal point – is none other than the chorus. It’s repetitive but infectious and relatable, so, we STAN! “The way you make me feel / You really turn me on / You knock me off of my feet / My lonely days are gone.” What more needs to be said about “The Way You Make Me Feel”? This throwback vibe speaks for itself!