The final stretch! For the last performances of The Voice season 8, the remaining artists performed three songs each: a cover, a duet with their coach, and, for the first time ever on the NBC competition, an original song.
Soulful singer Meghan Linsey, folk artist Joshua Davis, emotional crooner Sawyer Fredericks, and powerhouse vocalist Koryn Hawthorne gave their all for their last performances in front of coaches Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Pharrell Williams, and Christina Aguilera on Monday’s performance episode of The Voice.
Meghan Linsey
Cover: “When a Man Loves a Woman,” by Percy Sledge
Duet with coach Blake Shelton: “Freeway Of Love,” by Aretha Franklin
Original: “Change My Mind,” co-written by Linsey with friends
The first artist to perform her soulful original song impressed all of the judges, prompting Shelton to call her hook “so strong, so powerful,” before joining her on stage and embracing his artist in a hug.
Joshua Davis
Cover: “Hallelujah,” by Leonard Cohen
Duet with coach Adam Levine: “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes,” by Paul Simon
Original: “The Workingmans’ Hymn,” written by Davis
Davis’ fun folk sound shined in his original song and his comfort on stage was contagious. “This isn’t just you writing a song,” his proud coach said. “This is you writing a fantastic song.” Not usually one to compliment his biggest competitor, even Shelton raved, “The song is freakin’ stuck in my head!"
Sawyer Fredericks
Cover: “Old Man,” by Neil Young
Duet with coach Pharrell Williams: “Summer Breeze,” by Seals & Crofts
Original: “Please,” written by Ray LaMontagne
Fredericks’ idol may be LaMontagne, but LaMontagne is clearly a fan of Fredericks as well! With a song that perfectly captured his unique sound, Fredericks left the coaches in awe. “That’s like [Pearl Jam’s] Eddie Vedder writing a song for me!” Levine admired.
Koryn Hawthorne
Cover: “It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World,” by James Brown
Duet with coach Pharrell: “We Can Work It Out,” by The Beatles
Original: “Bright Fire,” by Pharrell Williams
Hawthorne was the envy of all judges with an original song written just for her by mega-producer Williams. “I want one of those too, man!” Levine lamented. “That’s crazy!”
Despite the praise from his fellow coaches, Williams credited his artist for her work. “My heart is beating so fast right now because we did it,” he said. “We got to sing this song in front of everybody."
Tune into NBC on Tuesday, May 19 at 8 p.m. ET to see who will win this season of The Voice!
Tell Us: What did you think of the first original songs on the show? Who should win?
