As we approach the sixteenth anniversary of The King of Pop joining the heavenly choir, it was only fitting that MJ was the featured artist for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday. The song I chose was “(I Like) The Way You Love Me” from his 2011 posthumous album, Michael.
As die-hard fans know, MJ originally wrote the song with teeny-bopper group Hanson in mind, but he kept it for himself. An early demo version of the song would appear on his 2004 four-disc set, “The Ultimate Collection,” where I first heard it. A year before Jackson’s passing, he would link up with producer Theron “Neff-U” Feemster to rework the track.
The elegant love song “(I Like) The Way You Love Me” illustrates Jackson’s affectionate feelings towards his partner. The first verse details Mike’s loneliness and confusion until his partner enters his life, bringing light and love to her. Michael Jackson appreciates how his partner’s love manifests through her touch, hugs, and kisses, which make him complete.
The song beautifully captures the singer’s profound sense of fulfillment derived from his relationship, illustrating the transformative journey he has undertaken because of it. MJ resonates with deep gratitude for his partner, who brings boundless joy into his life and helps him move beyond previous struggles, ushering in a sense of enduring happiness.
The lyrics intricately weave a narrative of a relationship built on a robust foundation of love and trust, which empowers the singer to pledge his unwavering commitment to his partner openly. Furthermore, MJ delivers a better vocal than some modern-day singer’s entire catalog, and it’s a shame that when he was in love, he never got a chance to promote it.
“(I Like) The Way You Love Me” is a poignant romantic homage. It celebrates MJ’s intense love for his partner while highlighting their bond’s remarkable positive changes in his life. The song’s evocative imagery and heartfelt sentiments vividly depict true love and personal growth.
Final Grade: A
“(I Like) The Way You Love Me” is available on all streaming platforms.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I want to revisit 2004 and highlight Romeo’s debut solo album, formerly of Immature. Titled “Food for Thought” and released on June 22nd, this project marked the singer’s change of name to Young Rome in an effort to distance himself from the youthful sound of his group, much like his bandmate Marques Houston had done a year earlier.
In the nineties, Hip-Hop reigned supreme, and every label CEO wanted a share of the lucrative R&B market. One strategy was to keep singers on their roster who could deliver catchy hooks, keeping everything in-house and saving money. Bad Boy had Carl Thomas, Death Row had Danny Boy, and Roc-A-Fella had Rell, our featured artist for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday
Growing up in the eighties, I was surrounded by incredibly talented male R&B singers who could deliver unforgettable love songs. Artists like Luther Vandross, Jeffrey Osborne, and Peabo Bryson dominated the airwaves, but Freddie Jackson was another voice that truly deserved recognition.