‘The Voice’: Griffin & Luke Wade Kill Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” In The Battle Rounds

After spending weeks building their teams (not to mention lasting friendships, riiight?), Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton started cutting them right back down on Monday’s episode of The Voice. The coaches finally stepped into their actual coaching roles, and prepared their contestants for their Battles with the help of advisors Gavin Rossdale, Alicia Keys, Stevie Nicks and Little Big Town.

Yes, it’s the Battle Round: the joyous part of the season where half of the contestants realize that they weren’t the only ones to be told all of that “I wanna take you all the way” nonsense. But at least some of them get to meet music legends on their ways out the door!

Here’s who advanced, and who will never trust anyone in the music industry again:

Team Pharell: Elyjuh Rene vs. Maiya Sykes

Pharrell pairs soul singer Elyjuh René with four-chair turner Maiya Sykes in the first Battle of the season. Together with mentor Alicia Keys, he coaches the two in a performance of “If I Ain’t Got You,” which – yes – is Keys’ song. No pressure or anything.

Maiya and Elyjuh’s performance is powerful, and certainly has Pharrell regretting putting two of his strongest singers against one another.

“You were like a Lego and you just connected,” says Gwen. “It would be impossible for me to choose.”

“Maiya, just unbelievable power. You are a world class singer,” says Blake, adding. “Elyjuh, you are too.”

“You guys did a really great job at making this difficult,” says Pharrell, who ultimately picks Elyjuh. “Maiya is a powerful singer, but I don’t think she sung for her life.”

Team Adam: Chris Jamison vs. Jonathan Wyndham

Adam pairs two four-chair turns for his first Battle. He assigns Chris Jamison and Jonathan Wyndham “Young Girls” by Bruno Mars. The two are nervous to sing in front of Stevie Nicks, but she’s a supportive rock legend. “Michael Jackson once said if you’re prepared and you’re rehearsed, you have no reason to be nervous,” she tells them.

The resulting performance is not jump-out of-your-chair awesome, but it’s solid. There are even some Bruce Springsteen-inspired moments throughout.

“Jonathan, man, your voice just cuts through,” says Blake, who adds, “Neither one of you wins the Battle. “

“You guys are both sick,” says Pharrell. “I probably would lean toward Chris though.”

“You’re both really, exceptionally talented. It’s a tough position to be in,” echoes Adam. “I have to go with a guy that I think there’s a superstar locked in there.”

Adam sees a superstar in Chris Jamison, and sends Jonathan home.

Team Gwen: Jean Kelley vs. Sugar Joans

When picking her first battle pair, Gwen apparently goes with the theme of “Probably Alias Names.” #NotGeneKelly Jean Kelley goes up against #NotBondGirl Sugar Jones in a pop battle of Destiny’s Child’s “Survivor.”

Jean struggles with the rhythm in the beginning, and Sugar sounds nervous. They both improve as the performance goes on, and are incredibly energetic.

“There is so much potential in both of you,” says Adam, calling it a tie.

“I’ve always wanted Sugar for my team, but Jean, you’re really special,” says Pharrell.

“The most impressive thing was the chemistry you had,” says Coach Gwen. She struggles to choose, but decides on Sugar. Adam and Pharrell jump in for the season’s first steal.

“I think that there are things you can do to get even better,” says Adam.

“You’re awesome, and at the end of the day I want to see you in this to the very end,” says Pharrell.

Jean joins Team Pharrell, and Adam vows to bring the claws out in the next steal.

Team Blake: Craig Wayne Boyd vs. James David Carter

Blake pairs up his two male country singers, Craig Wayne Boyd and four-chair turner James David Carter in the battle of the seriously serial killer names. The country crooners sing Pat Green’s “Wave On Wave,” and their rehearsals even include an impromptu jam sesh with advisors Little Big Town.

The performance has solidly executed country rock from both parties. Craig and James work together so well that it’s virtually impossible to differentiate between them.

“That was crazy! How do you choose?” says Pharrell. “It really was a draw.”

Adam agrees. “You guys were dead equal as far as I’m concerned,” he says. “Great job.”

“Craig, your voice projects so much with so much ease, and James has these runs he throws in that are from another planet,” says Blake. He chooses interplanetary over projection, and advances James.

As Craig is walking off the stage, Gwen jumps in to steal. “I know it seems like a weird pairing, me and you,” says Gwen. “I just want to dress you up. I want to give you different hairdos.”

Team Gwen: Amanda Lee Peers vs. Taylor John Williams

Indie singers Amanda Lee Peers and Taylor John Williams are up next for Team Gwen. The duo sing Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” and Gwen works with them on their stage presence and chemistry. Though Gavin Rossdale doesn’t really do much in terms of advising, he does wear some vintage flannel and leather necklaces from his Bush days, bringing a historical element to the table.

The coaches are divided after Amanda and Taylor’s battle.

“You guys both sang great,” says Blake “Amanda had me because it seemed like she was more invested.”

“She just kept getting lost in the song,” says Pharrell, “But Taylor, you’re also a star.”

“Taylor you really came far,” says Gwen, adding, “You have such a really unique sound.”

Gwen chooses Taylor, bringing to life the “I cannot compete with you, Jolene” lyrics for Amanda.

Team Pharrell: Griffin vs. Luke Wade

Closing out the night is Team Pharrell’s Griffin and four-chair turner Luke Wade. The duo struggle to add emotion to Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed,” until Alicia Keys suggest they give it a blues twist. With that note, they blow the roof off the place.

Both men impress with strong notes mixed with falsettos that make Adam Levine’s voice sound like Barry White’s. The coaches are duly impressed.

“I think Luke is the best singer in this competition so far,” says Adam. “Griffin, you did your thing which was very different and immediately became a peer of Luke.”

“Definitely one of the greatest battles we’ve had on The Voice,” says Blake. “To me, Griffin won.”

“Luke I always thought you were like a natural,” says Pharrell. “Griffin, it seems like you’re never going back. It seems like you’re this new Griffin.”

Pharrell chooses Luke, leaving New Griffin to decide on a new coach between Blake and Gwen.

“You’re my last steal if you choose me, so I guess I must be pretty passionate,” says Gwen.

“You occupy a space that nobody occupies on this show,” says Blake. “All three of those coaches can occupy the same radio station. I occupy my own space.”

Griffin moves over to occupy Team Blake.

Though a fine night of performances, there is a void where requisite Battle Round tears should have been. Sure, Elyjuh Rene shed a few out of excitement for advancing, but there was nothing to represent the swift rejection that comes with the round.

Here’s hoping that the continued heartbreak on night two fills this void when the Battle Round continues on Tuesday night.

Get an eyeful of even more pop music coverage, from artist interviews to exclusive performances, on Idolator’s YouTube channel.