The Ultimate Evolution: 5 Ways Michael Jackson's 'The Way You Make Me Feel' Live Performance Changed Forever
Few songs in the Michael Jackson catalog possess the raw, electric energy of "The Way You Make Me Feel," and its live performance is arguably the King of Pop's most consistent display of pure, unadulterated stage magnetism. Released in late 1987 as the third single from the groundbreaking Bad album, the track immediately became a live staple, evolving dramatically across three decades of touring. As of the current date in December 2025, fans and choreographers continue to analyze the subtle yet profound changes Michael made to this iconic number, from the initial, flirtatious street-dance theatrics of the Bad Tour to the stripped-down, intimate rehearsal for the planned This Is It concerts.
This article dives deep into the evolution of "The Way You Make Me Feel" on stage, exploring the key personnel, the controversial tour omissions, and the specific choreographic choices that cemented this performance as a legendary chapter in pop music history. We’ll uncover the specific reasons why the track was briefly abandoned and how Michael Jackson brought it back, stronger than ever, for the HIStory World Tour.
Michael Joseph Jackson: Biography Profile
- Full Name: Michael Joseph Jackson
- Born: August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, U.S.
- Died: June 25, 2009, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Known As: The King of Pop, MJ, The Gloved One
- Occupations: Singer, Songwriter, Dancer, Philanthropist
- Years Active: 1964–2009 (The Jackson 5/The Jacksons, Solo Career)
- Notable Albums: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995)
- Signature Moves: Moonwalk, Anti-Gravity Lean, Crotch Grab, Spin, Toe Stand
- Awards: 15 Grammy Awards (including the Grammy Legend Award and Lifetime Achievement Award), 26 American Music Awards, 13 Billboard Music Awards.
The Electric Debut: Bad Tour and the Tatiana Thumbtzen Era (1988-1989)
The first and arguably most theatrical live iteration of "The Way You Make Me Feel" debuted during the Bad World Tour, which launched in 1987. This performance was a direct continuation of the music video’s storyline, turning the stage into a high-stakes, flirtatious chase.
The original concept involved Michael Jackson pursuing a female dancer/actress, culminating in a dramatic, sensual confrontation. The most famous early performance of this was at the 30th Annual Grammy Awards in 1988.
The Role of Tatiana Thumbtzen
While the role was played by various dancers throughout the tour, the most iconic partner was actress and dancer Tatiana Thumbtzen, who starred in the original short film. Her brief appearance in the 1988 Grammys performance, where she famously kissed Michael on the cheek, elevated the segment's notoriety. This interaction was a deliberate move to push Michael Jackson's public image into a more mature, overtly sexual direction for the Bad era. The live choreography, co-created by Michael and Vincent Paterson, was a masterclass in tension, blending street-dance aggression with Michael’s signature sharp, balletic movements.
The Bad Tour Band and Sound
Musically, the Bad Tour version was pure, raw funk-rock. The song benefited immensely from the powerful live band, particularly the signature guitar work of Jennifer Batten, Michael's long-time lead guitarist. Batten's aggressive, shredding style gave the track a harder edge than the studio version, perfectly matching the intensity of Michael's stage persona. The costume was typically a variation of the iconic Bad aesthetic: often a blue or black shirt, military-style belt, and silver-buckled trousers, allowing for maximum mobility during the complex dance breakdown.
The Shocking Omission: Why It Vanished from the Dangerous Tour (1992)
One of the most surprising facts about the song’s live history is its near-total absence from the Dangerous World Tour. Fans expected the smash hit to be a centerpiece, but it was quickly dropped from the setlist after only a handful of shows.
The song was performed in the first leg of the tour, but after the eighth concert in Oslo, Norway, it was permanently removed. The official reasons cited were "time and technical constraints," as the Dangerous Tour was a monumental production that needed streamlining.
However, fan discussions and reports suggest a deeper, more personal reason: Michael Jackson reportedly felt "disturbed" during the performance of the song, which required intense, close interaction with a female dancer. The song's removal, alongside "Bad," marked a definitive shift in the tour's focus, moving away from the overt sexual theatrics of the Bad era towards the grand, powerful spectacle of hits like "Black or White" and "Will You Be There." Choreographers like LaVelle Smith Jr. and Travis Payne had to adapt the entire show flow to accommodate these changes.
The Triumphant Return: HIStory Tour and the Power Duet (1996-1997)
Michael Jackson brought "The Way You Make Me Feel" back to the stage for the HIStory World Tour, but the performance was fundamentally different. The sexual tension was still present, but the theatrical chase was replaced with a more powerful, aggressive duet that emphasized dance and vocal prowess.
In this era, the song was often paired with a more prominent female dancer, but the focus shifted from a narrative chase to a concentrated dance battle. The performance became a showcase for Michael’s vocal stamina, as he often sang more of the track live than in previous tours, and his unmatched physical control. The choreography was a blend of his signature moves and new, sharp, almost robotic elements, reflecting the darker tone of the HIStory album.
The 30th Anniversary Duet with Britney Spears
A notable late-career iteration occurred during the Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration in 2001, where he performed the song as a duet with Britney Spears. This performance was a cultural moment, pairing the King of Pop with the reigning Princess of Pop. The musical direction for this high-profile event was helmed by industry veterans Greg Phillinganes and Joey Melotti, ensuring the track sounded modern while retaining its classic funk core.
The Final Vision: The Way You Make Me Feel in 'This Is It' (2009)
The final, and most poignant, evolution of the performance was captured during the rehearsals for the canceled This Is It concert series in 2009. The rehearsal footage, later released in the film, showed a remarkably intimate and focused Michael Jackson.
The planned performance concept was highly theatrical, beginning with a filmed sequence set at a construction site before Michael appeared on stage. More importantly, the rehearsal footage revealed a stripped-down, raw energy. Though clearly less physically demanding than the Bad Tour version, Michael’s vocal delivery and commitment to the choreography, refined by Travis Payne, were evident. This final vision suggested a more mature, less frenetic, but equally captivating performance, emphasizing the song's enduring power as a classic piece of pop-funk. The rehearsal clip itself became one of the most viewed segments of the This Is It film, solidifying the song's status as a quintessential Michael Jackson live experience.
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