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.
My introduction to Nate Dogg goes back to Dr. Dre’s 1992 debut, The Chronic, and the song “Deeez Nuuuts.” Even then, something about Nate’s voice set him apart from everybody else. He wasn’t just singing on rap records. He was bringing soul, gospel, street knowledge, and West Coast cool into the same space. He set the standard for hook singers in hip-hop, and dare I say, he’s still vastly underrated.
For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to give Stevie Wonder his due as he prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his masterpiece, “Songs in the Key of Life,” on tour. While the easy choice could have been “Knocks Me Off My Feet”—a classic that still resonates fifty years later—I chose “From the Bottom of My Heart,” the second single from his twenty-third studio album, “A Time to Love,” released in 2005.
It’s hard to believe that an iconic singing competition like American Idol has produced only two Black male winners in its more than two-and-a-half-decade history. Jamal Roberts made history last year when he won the show, following Ruben Studdard’s well-deserved victory in Season Two.