‘The Voice’: Watch Alicia Keys’ Emotional, Politically-Charged Performance Of “Holy War”
If you thought last week’s voting results were stressful…you are absolutely right, and last night’s Voice results were really a welcome change. With only one contestant headed home, and the rest moving on to another stage of a reality singing competition (not to — ya know — lead the country), the stakes were blissfully low.
But that doesn’t mean there weren’t some politically-charged moments! Adam Levine made a subtle nod to the political climate with his performance, and then Alicia Keys just flat out told it like it was with hers. Get your leftover election tissues ready for these highlight performances:
Adam Levine joins his team to sing Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth,” which isn’t quite the leaked Apprentice footage we were hoping for, but it was a political statement from a Mark Burnett show, nonetheless. It’s mellow, but Billy Gilman, Brendan Fletcher and Josh Gallagher all do it justice.
Subtle political statement, Levine, but Alicia Keys is about to take it to the next level. After singing a brief snippet of her planned performance of “Blended Family,” she changes course. “Due to the current climate, there’s only one song I can sing, and that’s ‘Holy War,’” she says, before launching into a beautiful and poignant performance of the Here single accompanied by Adam on guitar. Because there haven’t been enough tears this week.
Before the chopping block of the Instant Save, Miley Cyrus and her team perform Dolly Parton’s “There’ll Always Be Music.” In true Miley fashion, it’s all about, well, the fashion as the crew gets up decked in costumes covered with music notes. Dolly definitely approves.
Despite Miley’s song, the music actually has to end in order to get to the results and the Instant Save:
VOTED THROUGH BY AMERICA
Team Alicia: Wé McDonald, Christian Cuevas Team Miley: Ali Caldwell, Darby Walker Team Adam: Brendan Fletcher, Billy Gillman, Josh Gallagher Team Blake: Courtney Harrell, Austin Allsup, Sundance Head
That leaves Team Alicia’s Sa’Rayah and Team Miley’s Aaron Gibson to perform for the Instant Save.
Sa’Rayah sings Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady.” She brings her usual passion to the stage, and she’s more technically on-point than she was during Monday night’s “Livin’ On A Prayer” performance.
“There’s no denying the power and the beauty of your voice,” says Alicia. “Continue to walk in your light.”
Aaron sings Ed Sheeran’s “Lego House.” Voice watchers do love a stripped-down acoustic jam, and his gravelly vocals are just unique enough to avoid a total snooze fest on this one.
“No matter what happens, I’m so proud of everything we’ve done together and I can’t wait to see what we’re going to do after this show,” says Miley. “I want to keep hearing that growly voice on the stage every night.”
Miley’s wish comes true, as Aaron Gibson and his growl survive to see another week on the big stage. Alicia bids a sad good bye to Sa’Rayah, and then we all rewind to watch Alicia’s performance again and again.
So what do you think: did the right contestant earn the save?
