The Jacksons' "Can You Feel It?"

Michael Jackson died three years ago today. Above, the epic psychedelic video for The Jacksons' "Can You Feel It?" from their 1980 album Triumph. The video was conceived by Michael Jackson and developed by Robert Abel, known for his pioneering "photo-fusion" animations that you can read about over at Dangerous Minds. Narration by Word Jazz poet Ken Nordine!

David Pescovitz is Boing Boing's co-editor/managing partner. He's also a research director at Institute for the Future. On Instagram, he's @pesco.

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kP

Sound quality is right out of a demolished drive-in cinema!
http://boingboing.net/ Rob Beschizza

Totally 19A0s.
rtresco

With that narrated opening, it’s like Heavy Metal the animated movie meets Fantasia.
- jimh
  
  I hear you, but the narration actually reminded me of what he would do later with Vincent Price and Thriller.
ikelleigh

Reminds me of Xanadu.
Boundegar

I defeinitely heard a Star Wars SFX at 1:38. Where are Lucas’ lawyers?
- jimh
  
  Also a little Gershwin in there!
Pickleschlitz

Spectacular CHEEZE!
charming.quark

The Titanic Jacksons spread their stardust of awesomeness!

Looking at this now, it makes me wonder what MJ’s life would have been like if he’d gone directly into film-making when he hit adulthood.

And Boundegar – What? You think that was without permission?
millie fink

Corporatized Kumbaya multiculturalism. But who knows, maybe Michael really meant it.
Marcelo Teson

Jebus, was it really 3 years ago? Man time flies.
sean

Is it just me, or was that thing really that shlocktastically terrible?
sean

They should make people that want to make “psychedelic” videos actually TAKE a psychedelic. Then they wouldn’t do stuff like this.
sean

I DID enjoy the Cosmic Peacock Feather Of Destiny, however.
Blaine

Oh wow, so that’s what it’s called. I’ve always loved that style of special effects.
pembroke529

Very moving. I watched an earlier video with Michael and the Jackson 5 with Cher, and I thought to myself, this individual is a “whack of talent”. So sad he died.He is missed ….
heretofore

That just made my summer.

What a great choice for commemoration. I was very young in those days but the 19A0′s rocked! Michael Jackson was such a cultural force, enjoining theatrical thrills with magical musical momentum. He refashioned his remembrances and always proffered the guild of spirit.
- https://me.yahoo.com/a/whMm9tkx1MkBLMDaQGEWIbuck0Y5azZzKNft1diKPRoVKaIl4rTKdxDRMoiS#b8fd8 Deletism
  
  I’m not sure that it was always the guild of spirit he proffered, I’m pretty sure it was jesus juice sometimes too.
Editz

Every time I hear Nordine’s voice, I think of the old Levi’s commercials.

http://youtu.be/CBvQ5Eb9oZ8
Cowicide

Are they are lacing the city with mind-altering drugs? I wonder what Nancy Reagan thought about this?