If you’ve been aching for some new music from Michael Jackson, word of his forthcoming XSCAPE album and various song teases have likely got you salivating. Well, prepare to satisfy your thirst in a major way with the latest premiered single, “Love Never Felt So Good.”
According to Billboard, “Love Never Felt So Good” was penned by MJ and legendary songwriter Paul Anka back in 1983, the year after Thriller’s release. One version, with some of the “Billie Jean”-esque bass kicks and vocals saturated with pre-superstardom happiness, features the King of Pop flying solo over the airy disco rhythm.
But the posthumous release also gets a modern update courtesy of Justin Timberlake, who joins Jackson on a deluxe edition-only remix of the track. The retro take ups the tempo significantly, yet it actually works in blending the signature styles of each artist into their first proper collaboration. (A Timberlake/Jackson collabo that actually goes as planned?!?)
But what’s Michael Jackson without a little bit of controversy? When “Love Never Felt So Good” made its world premiere during the iHeartRadio Music Awards, Epic Records CEO L.A. Reid introduced the accompanying tribute would be performed by “one of my greatest friends.” It wasn’t Babyface who stepped on stage, but Timberlake rival Usher, who grooved to the solo MJ version of “Love Never Felt So Good” as so few performers are able to do.
A larger than life premiere, a bit of scandal and that catchy, funky beat? The mere presence of “Love Never Felt So Good” is starting to make things feel like MJ’s good-old heydays. Check out both versions of the song and Usher's performance below.
