Music Review: Michael Jackson "The Way You Make Me Feel"

Michael Jackson

The Way You Make Me Feel

Album: Bad

Year: 1987

           Michael Jackson dates an attractive woman in the jubilant “The Way You Make Me Feel.”

Desiring synths open the single, setting an intent tone.  He can’t ignore her pull. He’s seen her every day for several weeks and each time, she leaves him breathless. She’s an incredible beauty with an air of sophistication most people pretend to have. He can sense her even before she arrives. It’s as though the area of city she’s in whispers and straightens up in order to please her. He asks her out, telling they’ll have fun. Then, he puts his finger to his lips and says a kiss will make it a deal. He really wants to hear that she loves him too. (“Hey pretty baby with the high heels on/You give me fever/Like I've never, ever known /You're just a product of loveliness/I like the groove of your walk/Your talk, your dress/I feel your fever/From miles around/I'll pick you up in my car/And we'll paint the town/Just kiss me baby /And tell me twice/That you're the one for me.”)

             In the chorus, he says she’s  beautiful and can’t believe someone as wonderful as her actually exists.  He can’t imagine being with anyone else. He has finally found someone he really likes. (“The way you make me feel (The way you make me feel)/You really turn me on (You really turn me on)/You knock me off of my feet (You knock me off of my feet)/My lonely days are gone (My lonely days are gone.”)

She gives him a hug and his body is filled with goosebumps. Since he met her, he’s cares more about his job. He has a girlfriend now and she deserves the best. The important thing is that she’s happy. He has to prove he’s good enough for her, not to her but to everyone else. (“I like the feelin' you're givin' me/Just hold me baby and I'm in ecstasy/Oh I'll be workin' from nine to five/To buy you things to keep you by my side/I never felt so in love before/Just promise baby, you'll love me forever more/I swear I'm keepin' you satisfied/'Cause you're the one for me .”)

               The chorus is sung again.

            In the bridge, the beat skips, frolicking in a field of daisies while the sun shines brightly. He can only think about her and how she has made his world a much better place. (“Go on girl!/Go on! Hee! Hee! Aaow!/Go on girl!/I never felt so in love before/Promise baby, you'll love me forevermore/I swear I'm keepin' you satisfied/‘Cause you’re the one for me

          The chorus is sung again with alternating lyrics from the bridge.  

         Jackson’s dashing vocals pay attention to her every need. At any minute, she could find another guy without much effort. He’s out of his league with her and while he’s happy, he’s also insecure and desperate.

         The amazing “The Way You Make Me Feel” is the high quality pop song that isn’t made anymore.