(I Like) The Way You Love Me

"(I Like) The Way You Love Me" is the remixed version of "The Way You Love Me", a song by American recording artist Michael Jackson included on his posthumous album Michael, which was released in Korea as a digital single on January 18, 2011,[1] and released in Italian radio stations on July 8, 2011.[2] The song previously appeared on The Ultimate Collection (2004) with the title "The Way You Love Me" as an unreleased track. For Michael, the song has been re-arranged and more vocals have been added.[3] A clip of the song was remixed and released on the 2-disc deluxe edition of the Immortal album on November 21, 2011.

Background and Release


The song was originally written and recorded by Michael Jackson between 2000 and 2004, and was included on his 2004 box set, The Ultimate Collection with the title "The Way You Love Me".[4]
The song was remixed by Theron "Neff-U" Feemster for the album Michael, as "Neff-U" mentioned, "Michael would express to me the importance of giving the world a gift. Giving them songs that would last forever. This song was released in its early stages of development. He wanted to revisit, nurture, and define the song more because MJ was a perfectionist at everything and nothing is ever done until he is smiling and dancing! It was like watching a flower grow and blossom in the spring."[5]

Composition


In this new remix, a phone message was introduction at the beginning in which Jackson explains the composition of the song to longtime collaborator, Brad Buxer,[6] and in which he sang the hook and described the drum arrangement of the track.[7] The song has been re-arranged and more vocals have been added,[3] and the treatment of "(I Like) The Way You Love Me" has created a cool counter-rhythm from a leftover bit of vocal play.[8]
Compared with the 2004 version, the 2010 mix has different instrumentation, such as having a piano backing instead of a synthesizer. The song's structure is the same but Jackson's lead vocals return as the song fades out.

Reception


The song received generally positive reviews from music critics. Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly called it a "sweet-toned swoon".[6] Joe Vogel of The Huffington Post stated that the song was a "great new production by Neff-U", and "the new version retains all of the charm of the original while injecting some fresh elements, including new piano, bass, strings, and vocal effects."[9] Jason Lipshutz, Gail Mitchell and Gary Graff from Billboard thought the song is "the simple sketch eventually led to this blissful love song with its layered vocals and gentle percussion".[7] Kitty Empire in The Observer said this song was "a breezy bit of froth on which Jackson sounds genuinely carefree".[10] Joe Pareles of the New York Times noted that the new instrumentation compared to the 2004 mix made the "creamy vocal harmonies even more reminiscent of the Beach Boys." Pareles also questioned whether the ending vocals of the song were digitally altered from the original chorus but stated that he preferred the new version, describing it as more "transparent and uncluttered, a little more lighthearted." [3]
Negative review came from Dan Martin of NME, he said this song "covers boring mid-tempo R&B territory".[11]

Chart Performance


The song was released as the fourth single from the album, Michael. It debuted on the Italian Airplay Chart on July 17, 2011 at number 86. It has not charted in any other major music charts.

Track Listing



Digital Download[12]
No. Title Length
1. "(I Like) The Way You Love Me" (Album Version) 4:33
Total length:
4:33
[edit]

Release History


Region Date Format

Korea:

January 18, 2011 Digital download

Italy:

July 8, 2011 Radio airplay

China:

July 27, 2011 Radio airplay

Personnel


Written, composed, lead, background vocals and beatbox by Michael Jackson
Produced by Theron "Neff-U" Feemster and Michael Jackson
Arrangement by Theron "Neff-U" Feemster
Piano by William C. Champlin
Backing vocals by Michael Durham Prince
Engineered by James Murray, Charlie Hanes and Tim Roberts
Mixed by Serban Ghenea
Guitar by Erick Donell Walls
Bass by Thomas Drayton
Drums by Joe Corcoran and James Porte
Percussion by Paulinho da Costa
Rhythm by Paulinho da Costa
Programming and Finished by Theron "Neff-U" Feemster