Meghan Linsey, Koryn Hawthorne, Sawyer Fredericks & Joshua Davis will competing in “The Voice: Season Eight” finals this Monday! (Photo property of NBC & United Artists Media Group)
By Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
The Voice finale is just around the corner!
As Sawyer Fredericks, Koryn Hawthorne, Meghan Linsey and Joshua Davis prepare for the biggest night of their lives, Jake’s Take is providing a retrospective of the season.
While there were so many performances that captivated me all season long, the 12 performances that I selected gave me instant chills and at times made me emotional.
So without further ado, here is this season’s Top 12 Countdown!
12. Brian Johnson, “Amazed” (Team Adam)
In all honesty, if Brian sang “Amazed” on Top 12 night, then we might have had a different Final Four. The power and conviction that he showcased while tackling the Lonestar hit captivated me and made me vote for him. I am glad that he ended with a high note by receiving a standing ovation from all four coaches!
Cody Wickline delivered one of the best Blind Auditions of Season Eight with his cover of “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” (Photo property of NBC’s Tyler Golden)
11. Cody Wickline, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” (Team Blake)
Cody Wickline is one of the best country artists that had ever appeared on the show and it is a shame that he was eliminated before the Live Shows! Cody’s runs were brilliantly executed and the gritty texture in his voice gave me a lump in my throat. I hope to hear a single from him in the near future! In addition to Cody’s vocals, his Blind Audition also provided one of the most priceless moments of the season—Adam’s depressed reaction when Blake turned his chair around for Cody.
10. Tonya Boyd-Cannon, “Take Me to The Pilot” (Team Adam)
Team Adam’s soul songstress had a lot to live up to when I found out that she was going to be singing the same track that Joshua Ledet and Fantasia slayed on American Idol three years ago! Tonya delivered her own delicious cover of Elton John’s gospel hit that took everyone to church and would make both Mr. John and his co-writer, Bernie Taupin, very proud.
9. Joshua Davis, “Fields of Gold” (Team Adam)
I strongly believe that Sting’s “Fields of Gold” played a huge role in why Joshua Davis is in the finale! He (briefly) redeemed himself by playing with viewers’ heartstrings by brilliantly interpreting the Kennedy Center Honoree’s lyrics and adding his own twist on this enchanting track.
Many “Voice” fans have already crowned Sawyer Fredericks—the Season Eight winner! (Photo property of NBC & UnitedArtists Media Group)
8. Sawyer Fredericks, “Iris” (Team Pharrell)
Ever since his Blind Audition, fans knew that Sawyer was going to play a huge role this season. The Team Pharrell teen delivered some pretty strong performances, but I connected with this amazing performer when he delivered a superb rendition of one of my all-time 90s songs. When Sawyer releases his debut album, I hope he includes this song as one of his tracks.
7. Hannah Kirby, “We Don’t Need Another Hero” (Team Blake)
Who knew that former coach CeeLo Green and Team Blake rocker Hannah Kirby were cut from the same cloth? The “Forget You” artist helped Hannah deliver her best solo performance when she tackled Tina Turner’s Mad Max anthem during Top Eight week! Hannah’s robust vocals were on point and the children’s choir definitely helped her rock the Voice soundstage!
6. Sarah Potenza, “Wasted Love” (Team Blake)
With Voice: Season Seven runner-up Matt McAndrew watching her in the wings, Team Blake’s Sarah Potenza delivered her take on Matt’s groundbreaking single: “Wasted Love.” Ms. Potenza inserted soul into the piano rock track and showcased her desire to produce incredible music with her Knockout Round performance.
Hannah Kirby and Sarah Potenza’s “Gimme Shelter” duel remains one of the best performances from Season Eight! (Photo property of NBC & UnitedArtists Media Group)
5. Hannah Kirby & Sarah Potenza, “Gimme Shelter” (Team Blake)
The four-time champion coach paired his two powerful rockers together for the Battle Round of the season! As Pharrell stated, this was a “duel” of epic proportions. Both rockers delivered impeccable vocal feats between Hannah’s outstanding “Rape and Murder” phrase, Sarah’s fantastic belt of “War/Children” verse and their goose bump-inducing harmony at the end of the song, this battle will always be one of the series’ best battles!
4. India Carney, “Big White Room” (Team Xtina)
For the final four selections, I want to honor two artists that should have been in this finale: Team Christina’s India Carney & Kimberly Nichole. India Carney shot up on my radar with her powerful take on Jessie J’s “Big White Room.” Every note that she sang stabbed my stomach and broke my heart; it was also remains one of my favorite Knockout performances of all-time!
3. Kimberly Nichole, “What’s Up” (Team Xtina)
Voice fans are continuing to thank Four Non Blondes front woman and longtime Christina Aguilera collaborator Linda Perry for giving Kimberly Nichole one of her biggest moments. Ms. Perry cleared her song “What’s Up” for Kimberly to perform and Ms. Nichole delivered an unforgettable vocal that shook the heavens and cemented her status as not only a frontrunner, but also probably one of the most recognizable alums from this season.
India Carney’s cover of “Earth Song” was her best performance throughout her entire time on “The Voice.” (Photo property of NBC & UnitedArtists Media Group)
2. India Carney, “Earth Song” (Team Xtina)
My favorite India performance of all season was her take on Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song.” She poured her heart, soul and passion into this piece and sent chills down my spine. While the others delivered good performances during Top Five night, I believe that India was the only one that delivered a show-winning performance that was similar to Fantasia’s “I Believe,” Carrie Underwood’s “Inside Your Heaven,” Leona Lewis’s “A Moment Like This” and Sam Bailey’s “Skyscraper.” Despite her tragic elimination on Tuesday night, we have not heard the last of India Carney.
Kimberly Nichole will go down in “Voice” history as one of the best artists that has ever graced its stage. (Photo property of NBC & UnitedArtists Media Group)
1. Kimberly Nichole, “House of the Rising Sun” (Team Xtina)
Closing out the countdown is probably this season’s defying performance! The number one spot goes to Kimberly Nichole’s “House of the Rising Sun.” While Haley Reinhart might have owned the song during her American Idol season, Ms. Nichole not only showcased her earth-shattering vocals, but also perfectly showed off her showmanship and pulled viewers into her Rock and Soul world!
I do not own the clips that are sprinkled throughout the article. They belong to the following media companies:
“The Voice” clips belong to NBC & United Artists Media Group; the “American Idol” clips belong to FOX, FremantleMedia North America & 19 Entertainment; “The X Factor UK” clip belongs to ITV.
