The Way You Make Me Feel
The Gay Men's Chorus of Tampa Bay brought infectious groove and sharp musical precision to their performance of Kirby Shaw's arrangement of Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" at their concert, "Songs of a Man's Heart / I Love the '80s", held at Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, on May 17, 2024. The song, originally a massive hit from Jackson's 1987 album "Bad", received a stylish choral reimagining that fully embraced the era's love of rhythmic flair and pop swagger.
Shaw's arrangement leans into the song's signature funk-pop strut, layering vocal lines that move with the same kind of percussive energy that defines the original. The Gay Men's Chorus of Tampa Bay locked into this groove from the very first beat, delivering crisp, syncopated entrances and tight ensemble rhythm that gave the piece its essential drive. Strong rhythmic discipline kept the music feeling buoyant and forward-moving without losing its sense of cool.
Clean blend across all sections allowed the arrangement's intricate harmonic textures to come through clearly. Inner voices supplied steady, rhythmically alive support, while upper lines carried Jackson's hook-driven melodies with the agility they require. Shaw's vocal countermelodies and rhythmic responses were rendered with both precision and personality, giving the performance a sense of conversation between sections that mirrored the call-and-response feel of the original record.
Dynamic shaping was particularly effective in this rendition. The chorus moved confidently between cooler, restrained verses and fuller, more celebratory choruses, with each refrain landing with a satisfying release of energy. Audience response was immediate and visible — smiles, swaying, and the unmistakable buzz of recognition rippled through the sanctuary as the performance unfolded.
Allendale United Methodist Church's acoustics supported the rhythmic vitality of the arrangement well, allowing the chorus's sound to project cleanly while preserving the music's pop edge. Within the broader program of "I Love the '80s", "The Way You Make Me Feel" served as a stylish ensemble showcase — a moment for the full chorus to celebrate Jackson's legacy with both technical skill and unapologetic fun. Through Kirby Shaw's effective arrangement and the Gay Men's Chorus of Tampa Bay's spirited interpretation, the performance captured the era's love of polished, groove-driven pop and reminded the audience just how irresistible Jackson's songwriting remains.