Released on Halloween in 1987, the music video for The Way You Make Me Feel is a cornerstone of Michael Jackson’s Bad era, showcasing his shift from the supernatural fantasy of Thriller to a gritty, urban charm. Directed by Joe Pytka and choreographed by Jackson alongside Vincent Paterson, the video is famously inspired by the 1961 film . Key Details & Trivia
: The track was originally recorded in 1985 under the working title "Hot Fever" . Artistic Significance
: Michael’s older sister, La Toya Jackson, makes a brief appearance as one of the friends of the female lead.
: High-profile stars like Jennifer Beals, Tisha Campbell, and Paula Abdul reportedly auditioned for the lead female role before Thumbtzen was cast.
: To achieve a realistic feel, the production utilized real-life gang members, including members of The Crips , as background extras.
: The video stars model Tatiana Thumbtzen as the woman Jackson pursues through the streets of Los Angeles.
The video is often celebrated for its "playful chase" narrative, where Jackson’s character initially fails to impress women before finding his confidence—encouraged by an elderly woman in the street who tells him to just "be yourself". It features some of his most iconic choreography, culminating in the famous scene where a fire hydrant sprays water while they embrace. Critics have noted it as one of the first videos to truly emphasize Jackson’s pure dance prowess and his ability to blend pop with funk and R&B.
