Feature Song: “The Way You Make Me Feel”
It has always amazed me how some memories from one’s youth remain firmly implanted to the point where, if prompted by someone or something, that memory comes rushing forth in such graphic detail that it makes you think it happened yesterday. This is exactly what transpired when I decided to post a Michael Jackson cover. It was December 14th, 1969, when I was first introduced to Jackson, as were millions of people tuning in to the Sunday broadcast of “The Ed Sullivan Show,” by then in it’s 23rd season! Along with two other featured guests, Lainie Kazan and John Davidson, Sullivan introduced The Jackson Five to raucous applause, and everyone got to witness history being made as eleven-year-old Michael gave us all a glimpse of what was to come… okay, fair enough, maybe not all of what was to come. That was 55 years ago, and I had just turned 19. I remember watching the show with my parents and younger brother and being mesmerized with the talent on that stage. While I went on to enjoy his output over the years, whenever I find myself reading about him or listening to some of his catalogue, I am almost always transported back to that evening.
My feature song, “The Way You Make Me Feel,” was the third single from Jackson’s seventh studio album, Bad (1987). It was written and composed by Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones and Jackson. The song went on to become the third single released from that album as well as the third single from that album to peak at number one on the charts. The song went on to be featured on several compilation albums and has been covered by multiple artists over the years, including Fifth Element (acapella 2000), Stevie Wonder & John Legend (live 2010), and Paul Anka (2005).
I have opted to go with what is most likely the most recent cover of the song, July 2024, and another acapella version, this time by a group out of Orlando, Florida, VoicePlay. They perform their own unique brand of entertainment, travelling across the country and around the world. They have, in their own way, revamped the art of vocal music. Their performances go back and forth between eras and styles, often lacing their performances with inventive, and, on occasion, hilarious on-stage theatrics. The members for the Jackson cover are Eli Jacobson (tenor), Cesar De La Rosa (Baritone), Geoff Castellucci (Bass), and Layne Stein (drums/baritone). For this performance, they are joined by another Floridian (Tampa), Deejay Young, an independent recording artist. He got his start at the age of five on the national tour of the hit gospel stage play, “Daddy Please don’t Leave.” He continued on this path, most recently appearing the first national tour of “Hamilton,” “Hairspray,” “Rent,” and “Ain’t Misbehavin,” winning all kinds of awards and accolades for his performances. His debut album, The Rebirth was released in 2013. This was followed by Unplugged (2016), An Unplugged Christmas (2017), and Primitive (2020). As with his theatrical output awards, he has also won multiple music awards.
Enjoy.
Michael Jackson. “The Way You Make me Feel” 1987
VoicePlay featuring Deejay Young. “The Way You Make me Feel” cover, July 2024.
You knew it was coming! The Jackson 5 on Ed Sullivan!
The Jackson 5. Medley: “Stand!” “Who’s Loving You,” “I Want You Back.” The Ed Sullivan Show, December 14, 1969.
Los Angeles 2024
Love the arrangement on that cover, nice find!
Thank you!
It’s really incredible how Michael Jackson ruled in the ’80s. I loved and listened to the “Thriller” album all the time. I also liked “Bad,” though when that album came out, my interest in Jackson started to wane. While it’s fair to say I’m no longer as fond of his music nowadays, “Thriller” remains a remarkable pop album to me.
This acapella version of “You Make Me Feel” is pretty neat. Perhaps not surprisingly, given the above, I prefer it over Jackson’s initial recording.
I agree with you about Thriller. It is probably one of the best examples of a “pop” album.
Great cover of a great MJ song, with incredible harmonies and a variety of vocal styles that complement each other quite nicely.
I also meant to comment that I too vividly remember that night the Jackson 5 appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, and being blown away by Michael’s talent and showmanship.
Make that one more who remembers that Ed Sullivan debut of the Jackson 5 and Michael taking center stage. Who knew what was to come – the good, the bad, and the bewildering. However fucked up he was, he was a genius musician and performer. And I love the a cappella cover. It was almost hypnotic the way their voices blend over such a range!