25x12 - The Knockouts Premiere

[bunniefuu]

-[Dan] Chance, what's happening?
-[Shay] What's up, bro?

-How you doing?
-What's going on? How are you?

Carson, long time no see.

-Hey!
-[announcer] Hi, everyone. How you doing?

He left me. I don't know where he is.

I guess John and I
are gonna start a duo now.

Hmm. Dan and John.

That kind of has a ring to it.

There you are! Where have you been?

Did you miss me? I missed you.

We're going in to work today. Can't wait!

-Give it up for your Season 25 coaches!
-Yeah.

John Legend,

-Dan + Shay...
-Yay! Hey!

...Chance the Rapper and Reba McEntire!

Here it is!

[whoops]

[Daly] We're gonna get to more knockouts.
Let's chat with the coaches here.

Chance the Rapper's in the building!

Reba, this is your second knockouts now.

What did you learn from the first time
that you can apply now?

It's very competitive, it's very tough,
and it gets very emotional.

And I see that John's got on
his stealing jacket.

It was specifically made to intimidate me.

-And honestly, it's working a little bit.
-Ah, come on!

Thank you, coaches. Let's get to it.

I love this part. I love that they
get to choose their own songs.

Yeah. A lot of people that come
on the show, their whole lives have been,

"I can't wait to be on 'The Voice.'"

And then they're on,
and they're taking all this advice,

but really, it's their moment to shine

and sing the song they've been singing
in the mirror their whole lives,

-on national television.
-Yeah. Totally.

Next up, we've got Kamalei and Maddi.

Kamalei sang "Redemption Song."

I'd never heard a song
that's so radical sound so peaceful.

Maddi, on the other hand,
she did, like, a rap at the end.

-So she has this diva energy.
-Right.

But they're probably two
of my strongest people

-on my team.
-Let's meet 'em.

-[Chance] Hey!
-Hello!

-[Chance] What it do?
-How's it going?

What's up?

Hi.

-What?
-[Keith] Come on in.

-Oh, my God!
-Wow.

When I saw Keith Urban,
I was just blown away.

-Aloha!
-Aloha.

I'm a huge Keith Urban fan,

so I was just ready to work with him
and so excited to hear his feedback.

What song are you singing today?

I'm singing "All of Me."

By John Legend?

-Oh, my gosh.
-My archnemesis. This is crazy.

I was hoping you wouldn't say that.

-It's the wrong team!
-No, John Legend's

my biggest inspiration in the world.

I keep joking about him being my nemesis.

-I love John.
-Why did you choose "All of Me"?

It takes me home to my wife.

I love her. I miss her.

So this is, like, my little gift to her.

♪ What I do without ♪

This song means a lot to me
because this was the first song

that I sang for my wife.

♪ 'Cause all of me ♪

Cierra and I went to high school together.

♪ Loves all of you ♪

She took a young, immature boy,
and she turned him into a man.

She changed the whole path of my life.

She pushed me to pursue music.

And if I didn't meet her ten years ago,
I wouldn't be here.

So doing this song
allows me to say thank you to her.

♪ 'Cause I give you all ♪

I feel drawn to soulful type of music.

And I feel like this song
is a good representation

of who I want to be as an artist.

♪ Oh ♪

Incredible.

When you sing a song,

it's your song and the lyrics
in that moment.

To hear a John song
not sound like John is a huge feat.

That means a lot. Thank you.

I'm a guitar player,
so it's been a little challenge

figuring out what to do with my hands.

Several places
you can always put your hands.

On the mic. One on the stand.

You could put them in your pockets,

but I did not notice your hands one time.

That song is so suited to you.

The only thing is,
I would rein it in just a little bit.

Like, when you start the song,

you could be even a little more tender,

and you're going to pull me in
with your voice and your heart,

-'cause it's completely one.
-Thank you.

Kamalei,
there's a vulnerability about him,

but also a nice spiritual,
calming energy about him as well.

-Well done.
-All right, Maddi.

You know how I get, man.

-Let's see... Let's see it.
-Yes! Yes.

I think Kamalei is amazing.

It was like every note was perfect.

It definitely lit a fire in me
to continue on in this competition.

So today, I'm gonna be singing
"New Rules" by Dua Lipa.

Oh, nice.

♪ Talkin' in my sleep at night ♪

I chose this song
because Dua Lipa brings a lot of energy.

♪ One, don't pick up the phone ♪

Yeah!

[Maddi] It's a song
that everyone can dance to.

I definitely want to be pop,

I want to bring the party.
I also love telling stories,

so I'm very interested in rap.

♪ But I've been still trying to work it ♪

-You said that...
-I told ya!

♪ Rehearse and repeat it ♪

My little sister loves this song,

and I know
that it's inspired a lot of women

to keep their standards high.

My little sister's name is Mia.

We've grown up doing theater
and so many activities together.

She's out here pursuing music with me now,

and having family close to me

while I'm going through
something like this

has been such a huge blessing.

♪ You ain't gettin' over him ♪

-You're so expl*sive, ma'am.
-Aw, thanks.

I brought you on the show
'cause I liked the rap that you did.

But when we did the battles,

you really surprised me
with your vocal ability.

There's a part...
There's a bridge that you do...

♪ Practice makes perfect
I'm still tryna learn it ♪

Do you like singing that part,
or you wanted to rap that?

I think that my rapping needs work.

-It is a singing song. Why not sing it?
-Yeah.

-Know what I mean?
-For sure.

Hey, I would also add,
the first time you hit the...

♪ You ain't gettin' over him ♪

-I would hold that longer.
-Yeah. Okay.

'Cause it's the first time
we've heard that range, really, from you.

And it's just too good a moment
that you're sort of

pulling the rug out
from under it too quick.

Yeah, absolutely.

♪ You ain't gettin' over ♪

[Chance] Maddi, she's got that energy,
that charisma

that you immediately recognize
as star power when you see it.

Whoo!

[Chance] She's a good singer.
She loves rap, she's got great rhythm,

she's got great melody.
She's gonna k*ll it.

-You're a star, man.
-Yeah.

Well, you guys are both huge inspirations.

-[Chance] Thanks, Maddi.
-Thank you.

-Kamalei, can you come up, too?
-Yeah, for sure.

The scary part for me is that I don't have
a playoff pass for this round.

It's really gonna come down
to who's really pushing it.

I would sing, like,
"Even if Chance doesn't pick me,

one of the other coaches would be stupid
not to steal me."

[Keith] You're both
bringing equal strengths.

They're different from one another.

It's gonna be a great night
for both of you, I think.

-Thank you so much.
-Thank you.

Kamalei, Maddi, both, like, top-tier.

Best all-time Team Chance talent.

I really don't know what I'm gonna do.

-We k*lled it.
-Great job.

-That was fantastic.
-It's gonna be tough

-to make these decisions. Yeah.
-Brutal.

[John] Go, Maddi Jane!

[audience cheering]

Now singing "New Rules,"
here's Maddi Jane.

♪ Talkin' in my sleep at night ♪

♪ Makin' myself crazy ♪

♪ Out of my mind
Out of my mind ♪

♪ My love ♪

♪ He makes me feel like nobody else ♪

Yes!

♪ Nobody else ♪

♪ But my love, he doesn't love me ♪

♪ So I tell myself ♪

♪ I tell myself ♪

♪ One, don't pick up the phone ♪

♪ You know he's only calling
'Cause he's drunk and alone ♪

♪ Two, don't let him in ♪

♪ You'll have to kick him out again ♪

♪ Three, don't be his friend ♪

♪ You know you're gonna wake up
In his bed in the morning ♪

Wow.

♪ And if you're under him
You ain't gettin' over him ♪

♪ I got new rules
I count 'em ♪

♪ I got new rules
I count 'em ♪

♪ I gotta tell them to myself ♪

♪ I got new rules
I count 'em ♪

♪ Practice makes perfect ♪

♪ I'm still tryna learn it by heart ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Eat, sleep and breathe it ♪

♪ Rehearse and repeat it ♪

♪ 'Cause I ♪

♪ I got new rules
I count 'em ♪

♪ One, don't pick up the phone ♪

♪ You know he's only calling
'Cause he's drunk and alone ♪

♪ Two, don't let him in ♪

♪ You'll have to kick him out again ♪

♪ Three, don't be his friend ♪

♪ You know you're gonna wake up
In his bed in the morning ♪

♪ If you're under him
You ain't gettin' over him ♪

♪ Hey, you ain't gettin'
Over him now, baby ♪

♪ I got new rules
I count 'em ♪

♪ You ain't gettin' over him ♪

-[audience cheers]
-Yeah!

Yeah, Maddi!

Kamalei!

[Reba] Whoo-hoo!

[cheering continues]

With "All of Me," here's Kamalei Kawa'a.

♪ What would I do
Without your smart mouth ♪

♪ Drawing me in
And you kicking me out? ♪

♪ You've got my head spinning ♪

♪ No kidding
I can't pin you down ♪

♪ What's going on
In that beautiful mind? ♪

♪ I'm on your magical mystery ride ♪

♪ And I'm so dizzy
Don't know what hit me ♪

♪ But I'll be all right ♪

♪ My head's under water
But I'm breathing fire ♪

Yeah, Kamalei!

♪ You're crazy
And I'm out of my mind ♪

♪ 'Cause all of me loves all of you ♪

♪ I love your curves and all your edges ♪

♪ All your perfect imperfections ♪

♪ Give your all to me ♪

♪ I'll give my all to you ♪

♪ You're my end and my beginning ♪

♪ Even when I lose
I'm winning ♪

♪ 'Cause I give you all of me ♪

Yes, Kamalei!

♪ And you give me all of you ♪

♪ And I give you all of me ♪

♪ And you give me all of you ♪

♪ Oh ♪

[audience cheers]

Yes, Kamalei!

-Man!
-Yes!

-[Dan] Such a good job.
-[Shay] So sick.

That was so crazy.

That was two very, very different
performances in the best kind of way.

Kamalei, that's such an incredible song.

It's an all-timer, but you took it
and made it sound not like a cover.

It sounded like Kamalei singing that song.

Thank you. Mahalo.

Maddi Jane, in a song like that,
you know, that's very dancey,

you were able to bring out your voice.

And, I mean,
some of those high notes were ridiculous.

Thank you so much.

Yeah,
I feel like Chance has his hands full

because you guys both deserve to be here,

-and it was just a phenomenal performance.
-[audience cheers]

Kamalei, thank you for singing my song.

One of the things
that I'm known for in this show

is that I'm a bit tough
on people covering my songs,

but I was just really into your version.
It was beautiful.

The whole demeanor
with which you carry yourself

with, like, gratitude and in your spirit,
we feel that,

and it comes through
in your voice as well.

Thank you so much. Mahalo.
It means the world coming from you.

And Maddi, I love that you take on songs
that require a lot of breath control,

a lot of rhythmic singing.

Not easy to do in a singing competition.

You were really creative and artistic

in finding ways to also show,
"Hey, I can sing, too."

I don't know who Chance
is going to choose,

but I know I have a steal left.

Kamalei, your voice,
it just makes me feel good.

Kind of like every time I go to Hawaii.

Your people are so warm and welcoming,
and you brought that.

I quite literally brought Hawaii to you.
My family's here in the audience.

Love that. Wonderful.

Maddi, you are a force of nature.

The sassiness of it, the attitude.

-Thank you so much.
-Very talented.

Yeah, you're on your own on this one.

-[Chance] Yeah.
-I have no idea.

[laughs]

Thank you, coaches.

All right, Chance,
it comes down to you, buddy.

Amazing performances.

Kamalei, it's hard to cover John
because he has such specific tone.

Though we have seen you do it successfully
with "Ordinary People."

That's so different,
impersonating someone's tone,

and being able to invoke
the feeling of these lyrics

that John wrote
is a talent in and of itself.

It makes it easy
when you have a beautiful wife

to think of when you do this.

Let's go, dude! Yeah!

How can you not love this guy?

[Reba, John laugh]

[laughs]

Maddi, you have such confidence
and attitude on stage,

but then you also have
the vocal talent to back it up,

which is a big deal,
and like John was saying,

doing a song that's so rhythmic

is a difficult thing.
I thought that was awesome.

-Chance, it's time.
-Thank you.

-Who's the winner of this knockout?
-Oh, damn.

[laughing]

This is tough, Chance, honestly.

I think both of you guys
are amazing vocalists,

but the winner of this knockout is...

Uh...

Maddi.

Maddi, congratulations!
You're moving on to the playoffs!

[Chance]
Maddi is just an amazing performer.

Through and through, she's an entertainer.

She can sing, she can rap.

Maddi really showcased
her superstar power.

Coaches, let me remind you
that Kamalei is available to steal.

Anything you'd like to say to your coach?

I really can't repay you for the moments

-that you gave me here, so thank you.
-Oh, man.

[Daly] Whoa! We got a steal!

We got two steals!

[Shay] Yeah!

[Daly] You are back in this competition.

Let's hear from John.
He hit his steal button first.

You bring so much of you
to this competition,

and this would be the most poetic
outcome to this moment.

[laughs]

All right, John, you got
some stiff competition, Queen Reba.

The greatest singers in the world
sometimes don't touch my heart.

So, you've got a big heart,
and you share it with people.

Thank you so much for your kind words.
Mahalo.

-[exhales sharply, laughs]
-[laughs]

Kamalei, who do you pick as your coach?

[audience clamoring]

-I'm gonna go with John Legend.
-[Daly] There it is!

John Legend steals Kamalei Kawa'a!

Come on!

Kamalei gave such a beautiful
interpretation of the song.

-So proud of you, man. You're amazing.
-Thank you.

[John] I felt his heart.
I felt his emotion.

I had to push for him.
He came to Team Legend.

What better ending could there be?

-[chuckles]
-[chuckles, sobs]

Hi, honey.

-I'm so proud of you. I love you so much.
-Thank you.

Love you more.

Yeah, he's got a huge heart, man.

Yeah, he got me. He really did.

Kamalei brought me to tears.

I was bummed out
because John got him on the steal.

But it... you know, it was meant to be.

So, I'm the only one of the coaches
with a steal left.

-[Keith] Is Legend your real name?
-No. My last name is Stevens.

-Wow.
-John Roger Stevens.

-And yours?
-It's true.

-Urban?
-Legit, yeah.

Keith Urban works.
I think it's served you well.

You know, it is what it is.

-How do you feel? We're about to go in.
-I'm a little nervous. I'm excited.

We've got Gene.
He's got this great tenor voice.

He's really talented.

And then Mafe, she has this gorgeous,
classical, beautiful voice.

-Ready to meet 'em? Let's do it.
-Oh, yeah. Bring 'em here.

-Oh, my God! [laughs]
-Y'all!

-We've got Keith Urban here!
-Hi!

-Man!
-[John] Our mega mentor.

This is, like, a country rock star.

He rocks really hard. He plays guitar.

This guy is a heavy hitter,

and it's a huge, huge plus to get
as many tips as I can get from him.

[Keith] What song did you pick, Gene?

I picked "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing."
Aerosmith.

-[John] Oh. Nice, a classic.
-Wow.

I love Aerosmith.
That was actually one of the first bands

that I remember hearing
as a kid growing up.

Is that where you see yourself musically?

Yes. I've always been in rock bands,

-so it's just my favorite thing to do.
-Excellent.

When I was a kid, I would hear Aerosmith.

It just stayed in my head.
It was like an earworm.

And that was, like, the first time
I was like...

[sings]

...like, figuring out high notes like that.

♪ I could stay awake
Just to hear you breathing ♪

And then, like, my teen years,
I would get ideas from Steven Tyler.

How does he do his rock poses?

How does he sing these songs?

I don't really see too many
people of color doing rock.

That's a genre that's kind of
slept on right now.

So, here I am.

♪ I don't wanna close my eyes ♪

"Don't Want to Miss a Thing"
is a really bold choice for Gene.

I love him for that.

He actually had an amazing range.

He really took charge of it.

-Yeah!
-♪ A thing ♪

-All right! Well done.
-Wow.

-Thank you.
-I'd like you to think about

how to dirty it up a little bit...

-Okay.
-...'cause you sound very proper.

But it doesn't sound like rock and roll,

-because rock has a bit of dirt to it.
-Feels like... [groans] Yeah.

I think it's about throwing off
some of the syllables

in ways that are, like,
a little more casual.

-I'm down. Yeah.
-Is this the original key?

-Original key.
-You're hitting a D at the end, right?

-Yeah.
-And you're hitting that, which is crazy.

-Yeah.
-But 80% of the song

is in around G-flat, E, D.
That's kind of where you're living.

And I almost feel like your voice
sits a little higher than that.

And I don't know if it's okay,
but to explore maybe even

-a half step up or something.
-Right.

♪ And I don't wanna miss a thing ♪

[Gene] I'm learning from John

that you can be the best
technical singer in the world,

but if you're not making people
feel something, what's the point?

I desperately want to win this knockout
because I want to get to the playoffs.

I feel like I'm just getting started.

♪ A thing ♪

-I like the key.
-I think so.

[John] Fantastic, Gene.

-Mafe, come on up.
-[Mafe] Hello!

I chose "Almost Is Never Enough"
by Ariana Grande.

♪ I'd like to say we gave it a try ♪

[Mafe] I've been a fan of Ariana Grande
since I can remember.

When I do my own music,

I want to go through
that R & B path like Ariana Grande.

-This song helped a lot to learn English.
-Yeah.

From trying to understand the words

to now being in front of these coaches,

singing this song is mind-blowing.

I just want them to see my passion
and that I want to stay here.

♪ The truth is everyone knows ♪

Mafe has a really soulful voice,
a really inviting voice.

And this song means a lot to her,

and I can feel it
when I see her performing.

♪ Enough ♪

Oh, my goodness.

Beautiful!

The key will be just making sure

that you're able to connect
on that lower part of the song.

It's about breath support
because low notes

are often harder to support,
especially live.

Be mindful of the nervousness
of moving hands

-on the microphone too much.
-Yeah.

Particularly in a setting
where the camera's gonna

come in really close and be right here.

-This will pick up huge.
-Okay.

Gosh, you've got a good voice.

♪ Is never enough ♪

-Yeah.
-Yeah.

[John] How are we gonna pick a winner?
I'm gonna wait

and see who steps up to that moment
because the knockouts are high pressure.

Everyone is a great singer,
but it's gonna make a difference

who really comes with their A-plus game
for this performance.

[audience cheers]

Beautiful!

With "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing,"
here's Gene Taylor.

♪ I could stay awake
Just to hear you breathing ♪

♪ I could stay lost
In this moment forever ♪

♪ Oh, every moment spent with you ♪

♪ Is a moment I treasure ♪

♪ I don't wanna close my eyes ♪

♪ I don't wanna fall asleep ♪

♪ 'Cause I'd miss you, baby ♪

♪ And I don't wanna miss a thing ♪

♪ Well, I don't wanna miss one smile ♪

♪ No, I don't wanna miss one kiss ♪

♪ Oh, I just wanna be with you ♪

♪ Right here with you ♪

♪ Just like this ♪

♪ Oh, I just wanna hold you close ♪

♪ I feel your heart so close to mine ♪

♪ And just stay here in this moment ♪

♪ For all the rest of time ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ I don't wanna close my eyes ♪

♪ I don't wanna fall asleep ♪

♪ 'Cause I'd miss you, baby ♪

♪ And I don't wanna miss a thing ♪

♪ 'Cause even when I dream of you ♪

♪ Oh, the sweetest dream would never do ♪

♪ Oh, I'd still miss you, baby ♪

♪ And I don't wanna miss a thing ♪

♪ I don't wanna close my eyes ♪

♪ I don't wanna fall asleep
Yeah ♪

♪ And I don't wanna miss a thing ♪

Wow, Gene!

Now with "Almost Is Never Enough,"
here's Mafe.

Come on, Mafe!

♪ I'd like to say we gave it a try ♪

♪ I'd like to blame it all on life ♪

♪ Maybe we just weren't right ♪

♪ But that's a lie ♪

♪ That's a lie ♪

♪ And we can deny it
As much as we want ♪

♪ But in time
Our feelings will show ♪

♪ 'Cause sooner or later ♪

♪ We'll wonder why we gave up ♪

♪ The truth is everyone knows ♪

♪ Oh, almost ♪

♪ Almost is never enough ♪

♪ So close to being in love ♪

♪ If I would have known
That you wanted me ♪

♪ The way I wanted you ♪

♪ Then maybe we wouldn't be
Two worlds apart ♪

♪ But right here
In each other's arms ♪

♪ And we almost ♪

♪ We almost knew what love was ♪

-Yeah, go on, man.
-Yeah!

♪ But almost is never enough ♪

[vocalizing]

♪ Almost is never enough ♪

♪ Almost is never enough ♪

[audience cheers]

Yes! Beautiful!

k*lled it!

Way to go.

Gene, I'll start with you.

You put your own personality and style
into a great Aerosmith song.

Steven Tyler would be proud.

-See how I dropped that name right there?
-Yeah.

-That was nice.
-I'm gonna pick that up now.

You know your way around a stage.

You're a great entertainer.

And Mafe, I love that tone.

It makes you want to snuggle up
in a real cozy blanket

and just sit there
and listen to you all night long.

Thank you so much.

Mafe, I always love your performances.

This is a Ariana song.
You didn't sound like Ariana.

You sounded like yourself,
and if you can make us feel the song,

like, it goes a long way,
and I really felt connected.

Thank you so much.

Gene, you always give
passionate performances,

but I think this time
it kind of messed with your pitch

in a few moments.

If I had to choose, I'd probably lean
a little bit more towards Mafe.

Okay.

Gene, your voice is phenomenal.

I mean, it's technically...

you have one of the best voices
on the show.

Mafe, you have such
an incredible control of your voice.

It feels like a world-class painter.

You know when to dip
in and out of vibrato.

You're just such an unbelievably
talented singer. You both are.

-This was a great, great knockout.
-Thank you so much.

[Daly] Thank you, coaches.

All right, John,
it comes down to you, of course.

Give us some thoughts
before you tell us who won.

Well, both of you
are such a joy to work with.

Gene, I feel like you exude
just positive light

and a love for being on stage.

It's really infectious.

And then, Mafe, your energy is more
like warmth. It feels like love.

You feel so connected to the songs.

For both of you,
it's a joy to be around people like that.

-Thank you for giving us that.
-Thank you.

Thank you.

John, you got a tough decision here.

Who is the winner of this knockout?

The winner of this knockout is Mafe.

Mafe, congratulations!
You're moving on to the playoffs!

[John] I love Mafe.
Her tone is so beautiful.

Her energy is so warm and calm,
and it's just really special.

-Wonderful. My pleasure.
-Thank you so much.

She's shown us some versatility
in the type of songs she can perform.

I can't wait to see what she does next.

Give it up for Gene Taylor,
ladies and gentlemen.

[John] We're really getting down
to the best of the best.

Inevitably, we're gonna send some
incredibly talented artists home.

It's so frustrating,
but these are the knockouts.

We've got to make some tough decisions.

[Daly] Still to come
on the final night of knockouts...

Expert coaching...

I'd get up on the mic
just a little bit more

-and get a bit more intimate.
-Okay.

♪ The Georgia rain ♪

...extraordinary performances...

♪ Must be love on the brain ♪

-Yes, Jackie!
-I thought you slayed that.

Absolutely sang the mess out of that song.

My Lord, that was beautiful.

[John] Yeah!

[Daly] ...and Reba uses
the last steal of the season.

All right, so this is my last chance.

I have one steal.

-You're the only one with a steal.
-Yeah.

I'm jealous of the steal.
There's still some great talent left.

Yeah, I have some great people
on Team Legend

that... They would love to be on Team Reba.

We're campaigning to have two steals.
We've got two chairs, you know.

-It just makes sense.
-Wait a minute. Is that right?

Can they do that?

They are one coach as a team...

-One entity.
-...'cause each of them is half a coach,

-really, honestly.
-Well...

-Wow!
-Hurtful.

-Wow!
-Hey, man.

-Unbelievable.
-Did I say that?

I'm excited.

When we're here, there's something so pure

-about seeing these artists compete.
-Yeah.

-And still stay friends.
-[John] Yeah.

They come in, they hug...

That's one of the best parts of the show.

Somebody had a secret handshake earlier.

You remember our secret handshake,
Chance, that we came up with?

I forgot it as soon
as you taught it to me.

Oh, man.

We started out, it was like this.

-I remember that part.
-And it comes off,

and then we elbow, and then we punch John.

-You remember. Well, we changed it.
-Listen, I don't know the handshake.

-I'm gonna remember this.
-It's a work in process.

-I'm ready to do this.
-More knockouts, let's go!

-Let's fire it up.
-Reba's got a steal to use.

I'm nervous.

[Shay] Being able to mentor
these contestants is incredible.

You did that for us over the years,
which we're very grateful for.

These people all look up to you, man,
and that means a lot.

The words that you give them,
I feel they're gonna carry with them

-the rest of their lives.
-Awesome.

-Love you, brother.
-Love you, too, Dan.

Doing squats. [exhales sharply]
Get rid of the nerves.

How are you still nervous?

-I don't know.
-You got it. You got it!

Ducote, Karen,
they're very different singers.

Karen is this powerhouse,
Carrie Underwood-type singer,

and Ducote has
a special grit to his voice,

and I think it's gonna make
for a great pairing.

Adios! After you, lady.

-What's up, guys?
-Let's go!

-Hello!
-No way!

-Let's go!
-[Keith] How are you, Karen?

-Oh, my gosh! Yes, yes!
-Nice to see you.

-Nice to meet you. Oh, my...
-[Ducote] Keith Urban can do everything.

He performs. He puts on a great show.

It's crazy to be able to get input

from a guy that's done
amazing with his career.

I literally just was
at your show in Nashville.

-Were you?
-To walk in the room

and see that level
of a performer about to help me.

I was like, "Yes!"

Let's dive in.

-[Karen] All right! Let's do this.
-It's gonna be a good one.

Tell me what song are you gonna do?

I'm gonna be doing
"She Got the Best of Me" by Luke Combs.

Cool.

♪ 17, you don't think
That much about life ♪

♪ You just live it ♪

I look back on life
when I was way younger,

three years ago, when I was 17,

going to the lake all day,
staying up all night, living free.

And then 18 comes along,

got into fire school
and became a firefighter.

And then school on top of all that.

♪ She got the best of me ♪

[Ducote] This whole experience
has been a great reminder

that you got to do what makes you happy.

Live in the moment now while you can
'cause eventually, it's gonna end

and you're gonna have to go back
to your real world.

This song showcases
the artist I want to be

'cause it's a rough country song.

But it also has some
very vulnerable parts.

♪ You get what's left of me ♪

What a sick song.
Such a smash on country radio.

I feel like this allows him
to show a more vulnerable,

more soft side,
which I think is important.

He's got the charisma.
He's got the personality.

I think that's really going to translate.

-Yeah, buddy.
-Yeah, man.

Obviously, I think you're most at home

when you're doing the growl,
kind of tougher thing.

I just want to feel the same confidence
in the tender part.

-Yep.
-To this point in the competition,

we haven't heard anything kind of soft
like that from you.

Right out of the gate, might be nice
if there was just piano and you.

-Okay.
-And then maybe the band can build up.

And when we hit the chorus,
then we go into that.

I really want you to sell that part...
"She got the best of me."

♪ She got the best of me ♪

-And just really, like, let that sink in.
-Yeah. Okay.

I would save, like, the big gritty growl

for the last line of that
to really make it matter.

♪ Is beating in this guitar every night ♪

-Yeah. Let that be the moment.
-Okay.

I like changing things up.

♪ 17, you don't think
That much about life ♪

♪ You just live it ♪

Breaking down that beginning
really helped. Thank you so much.

-Thank y'all.
-Thanks for listening to us.

Ducote is so unique.

I've lived in Nashville a long time,
I've played music with a lot of people,

and I've never heard anybody sing
quite like him,

so I really have to bring it.

Tell us about what you're singing today.

I'm singing "Georgia Rain"
by Trisha Yearwood.

♪ Barefoot in the bed of your truck ♪

This song is really emotional
and is a storytelling song.

It's about everybody's love story

that they look back on
and reminisce in a positive way.

I moved to Nashville, Tennessee
after college.

I was living in a really run-down house,
playing bar gigs,

and I was in a relationship
where I was traveling to see a guy

that was living in Georgia.

It was a conflicting emotional
roller coaster for years.

Finally, I decided
I'm going to put music first.

♪ The Georgia rain ♪

I feel like I'm getting better,

working with the coaches, pushing myself.

I don't want the ride to be over.

You sound like a record when you sing.

-You got such a great voice.
-Thank you.

Don't think about performing
so much right out of the gate.

-Okay.
-I'd get up on the mic a little bit more

-and get a bit more intimate.
-Okay.

-Let yourself be vulnerable on that.
-That's it. How would Adele do it?

She knows how to tell the story,

-and she pulls you in.
-Yeah.

Save some of the big,
expansive arm motions and stuff

-till when you're going for it at the end.
-Okay.

'Cause I think that'll make it
pay off a bit more.

♪ Barefoot in the bed of your truck ♪

[Keith] Dan + Shay have a couple of really
legit country artists on their team.

Karen came with this big voice.

But when you're choosing
a Trisha Yearwood song,

you have to be a storyteller.

That's what Trisha does
so exceptionally well.

♪ Georgia rain ♪

Yeah! Yeah!

-[Karen] Did that help?
-Oh, my... That was night and day.

The more restraint that you use,

that sells it ten times more to me

-'cause I believe it.
-Okay, yeah.

Come on up here, Ducote.

We're all lucky to get to hang
with this guy today.

I mean, absolute legend, dude.
Thank you, Keith, for being here today.

Keith, you are the ultimate inspiration
for performers.

Our country knockout, Karen versus Ducote.

Karen's a tough competitor.

She's such a good singer.
She's a seasoned pro.

Ducote's got that gravel in his voice,
the growl kind of thing.

This is gonna be an impossible decision.

This is the worst decision
we're gonna have to make.

In country music,
the words are the most important thing.

Whoever connects to those lyrics more,
I think, is gonna move on.

Dude, we need a triple chair.
We got to keep you around.

Just don't give any good advice
to the other teams

-and we'll be all set.
-Exactly. We'll be good to go.

[Shay] Okay, Karen!

[audience cheers]

Let's go!

Now singing "Georgia Rain,"
here's Karen Waldrup.

♪ Barefoot in the bed of your truck ♪

♪ On a blanket lookin' up ♪

♪ Half a moon peeking down at us ♪

♪ From underneath the clouds ♪

♪ Teenage kids sneakin' out again ♪

Whoo!

♪ We heard the thunder rollin' in ♪

Wow.

♪ We were fallin' the moment when ♪

♪ It all came pourin' down ♪

♪ The Georgia rain ♪

♪ On the Jasper County clay ♪

♪ Couldn't wash away ♪

♪ What I felt for you that day ♪

♪ Just you and me down an ol' dirt road ♪

Yeah!

♪ Nothin' in our way ♪

♪ Except for ♪

♪ The Georgia rain ♪

♪ Couldn't wash away ♪

♪ The way I loved you to this day ♪

♪ The ol' dirt road's paved over now ♪

♪ Nothin' here's the same ♪

♪ Except for ♪

♪ The Georgia rain ♪

Yes!

[judges, audience cheering]

-Looking good, Ducote.
-Let's go!

-The charts are all country these days.
-You look like a stud.

-With "She Got the Best of Me"...
-Thank you.

-...here's Ducote Talmage!
-Thank you. Thank you.

♪ 17, you don't think
That much about life ♪

♪ You just live it ♪

♪ Like kerosene dancing 'round a fire ♪

♪ But you're in it ♪

♪ So you jump right in ♪

♪ Ain't afraid to fall ♪

♪ And you give it all ♪

♪ She got the best of me ♪

♪ She broke my heart ♪

♪ And all that's left of me ♪

♪ Is beating in this guitar ♪

♪ Oh, every night
A different town ♪

♪ She follows me around ♪

♪ So you get what's left of me ♪

♪ Yeah, you get what's left of me ♪

♪ She got the best of me ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ She got the best of me ♪

♪ She broke my heart ♪

♪ And all that's left of me ♪

♪ Is beating in this guitar ♪

♪ Every night, a different town ♪

♪ She follows me around ♪

♪ So you get what's left of me ♪

♪ Yeah, you get what's left of me
Yeah ♪

♪ She got the best of me ♪

♪ She got the best of me ♪

♪ She got the best of me ♪

♪ Oh ♪

[audience cheers]

Yeah, man.

Good job, Ducote! Not bad!

Congratulations. That was wonderful.

Ducote, I love your cool rasp
in your voice.

You used it in a way
that was really well chosen.

-Thank you so much.
-Mm-hmm.

And, Karen, my Lord, that was beautiful.

Your tone has
this really nice openness to it.

I was really impressed.

Ducote, that texture in your voice,
I love, it's sexy.

It was a great song for you.

And Karen,
you were that person in the Georgia rain.

You stayed in the moment
throughout the whole song.

-I just loved your performance of it.
-Thank you. Thanks.

Ducote, I think that was
your best performance so far.

I thought it was passionate
but also, like, controlled.

Karen, that was so raw.

It felt a little like Céline Dion.

-Yeah, it was like big pop diva vocal.
-Yeah.

You just have a very angelic,
delicate voice,

but it's very intentional.

I'm leaning towards Karen.

Thank you, coaches.
All right, Dan + Shay.

Give us some thoughts on the knockout,
and then tell us who won.

Ducote, I think the first verse
of that performance

really showcased that more tender,
kind of soft, real breathy thing,

-and you nailed it.
-Thank you.

I love the way that you light up the room
whenever you walk in it.

I feel like I'm writing him a love letter.
"Dear Ducote..."

You were so thoughtful in the way
that you delivered this song.

That was the best performance
I think I've heard you do

this entire competition.

Karen, you just have
one of the most incredible voices.

A lot of people need an engineer
in the studio twisting knobs

-to make a voice push and pull like that.
-Yeah.

Giving Chance the Céline Dion feels
on some of that tender stuff.

-Straight up.
-Straight up.

That's an incredible ability
that not everybody has, really.

Yeah, straight up.
Yeah, shout out Céline, dude.

Chance's heart will go on.

[audience laughs]

I have just fallen in love
with both of you guys.

This is a tough decision.

Dan + Shay, the time has come.

Who is the winner of this knockout?

[murmuring]

[exhales deeply]

The winner...

is Karen.

Karen, congratulations!

[Dan] Karen and Ducote,
our country pairing,

both really brought the heat.

I just think Karen edged it out
a little bit.

She really just was super dynamic
in her performance and super precise.

Karen is a superstar, man.
I think she's so good.

She can sing any song we throw her way.

She wants to be a country artist
through and through,

and she's gonna crush it on this show.

She has so much potential.

Give it up for Ducote Talmage,
ladies and gentlemen!

[Dan] Man, it was tough to see Ducote go.

-We love that guy.
-It's heartbreaking.

You know, we have developed
relationships with these people,

and it's hard to see them go home.

-You're so beautiful.
-Thank you.

Hey, you know,
you go to my cousin's store...

He's working it. Working it.

-Tell him you know me next time.
-You got it.

[Ducote] Bye.

Thank you, everybody!

-Reba, did he just get your number?
-He did.

-Wow, dude!
-Yeah!

Dan + Shay believed in me first.

That's right, we did.
That's right, we did!

-Let's go! Crushed it.
-Come on!

-What a performance. You're such a star.
-Oh, my God.

-This is gonna be so fun.
-Let's go.

-Let's go! [laughs]
-Nice!

-Come on.
-[Karen] Now it's just the playoffs.

-[Reba] Hey, hey! How are ya?
-[L.] Hi, Miss Reba! Good.

So, what's it like sitting up there
watching all of this?

So nice because we haven't heard
everybody sing.

-And so, like, getting to see everybody...
-Yeah.

-Oh, my God... It's amazing.
-Yeah.

And, like, Kamalei already made me sob.

-Me too, as you saw.
-I know.

-Thank you so much for this opportunity.
-You're welcome!

-Like, I'm so grateful.
-I'm very grateful you're on my team.

-And we're gonna have fun at the playoffs.
-Oh, yeah, we're gonna do it.

So the two... no, really, it's three,
that are coming out.

One is a duo, Justin and Jeremy Garcia.

I stole 'em from Dan + Shay.

And then Zeya,
she's got a great range, powerful voice.

-Let me know what you think.
-I can't wait to hear 'em.

Yeah. Well, bring 'em on in.

Yeah!

-What?
-What?

-Oh, my God!
-Oh, my God!

-Hi, there.
-Hi!

Keith Urban, I couldn't believe my eyes.
He is one of my favorite country artists.

-So, for me, it was a big deal.
-Good to see you, man.

You don't even need to be into country
to know Keith Urban.

And him standing next to Reba?

Two of the biggest country artists
in one room.

-Right?
-That's crazy.

We're so excited to work with Reba
because she has so much experience.

She can definitely teach us
how to really perform.

So, what are y'all singing today?

"You Are the Reason" by Calum Scott.

-Why'd you pick it?
-The lyrics really embody

-our brotherly bond.
-Yeah.

-Aw.
-[Keith] Wow.

♪ There goes my heart ♪

[Jeremy] The story to the song shows that
there is a reason why you keep moving,

and for the both of us, it's each other.

♪ I'd climb every mountain ♪

Growing up,
we weren't always the best of friends,

'cause Justin was the sports dude,
and I was in the band.

So we definitely had a little separation.

[Justin] But as we got older,

we knew that singing
was a passion that we both shared.

Music was that one thing
that brought us together.

[Jeremy] I really love
this pop acoustic style.

We get to show this vulnerable side.

♪ Broken ♪

Justin and Jeremy
do such a good job together.

I like to work with harmonies.
That's what I grew up with.

I think it's really good for them
being a duo.

They're gonna stand out
in the competition. They're different.

♪ The reason ♪

[Keith] All right.

-[Reba] Bravo! Good job.
-[Jeremy squeals]

Okay, since this is the first time
I've got to visit with you guys...

-Right.
-...your singing's great.

Now, let's work on
communication with the audience.

-For sure.
-Jeremy, you were so cute.

You got through with your part
and you were like, "Got that done.

Whoo! I'm tickled to pieces.
Now it's your turn."

You got to stay in that moment.

-Yeah. [exhales]
-And Justin, smile with your eyes.

Barry Manilow told me one time,

"Are you smiling
when you're singing that line?"

I said, "No." He said, "Do it."

Because if you smile
when you're singing, we can hear it.

-Good advice, Reba.
-Thank you!

Have you had to learn all this
the hard way?

Yes, I did.

[all laugh]

-When you guys sing the high broken line...
-Yeah.

...it's the only part of the song
that feels like it's forced, vocally.

What are you singing on that part?

♪ Broken ♪

-[vocalizes] You there?
-Yeah.

-And you're... [vocalizes] You're there.
-Yeah.

[Reba] What if they went
in their head voice?

♪ Broken ♪

♪ Broken ♪

-Instead of full voice.
-[Keith] Yeah. Yeah.

♪ And fix what I've broken ♪

-Yeah.
-That was a lot, lot better.

-'Cause it's also vulnerable.
-Thank you.

-Okay, Zeya. Come on up, girl.
-[Justin] All right, Zeya.

It's very hard to go up against a duo.

-k*ll it.
-[Zeya] It did scare me a bit,

but I want to win this knockout

because I just feel so complete
doing music every day.

-What are you gonna sing for us?
-I am singing "River" by Bishop Briggs.

This song is about empowerment.

♪ Shut your mouth, baby ♪

[Zeya] My mom has really inspired me.

With everything in music and in life,
she's always pushed me to never give up.

She had me at 16.

She was a single mom,
and it was really, really hard on her.

She had to grow up very fast.

[crying] But she always made sure
that she had a smile on her face,

and she never showed
that she was struggling.

[normal] My mom is very proud of me.

She calls me every day,

and she just can't believe
that I'm finally living my dream.

♪ Choke this love
Till the veins start to shiver ♪

I chose this song because I feel like
it shows my powerhouse side.

So, I'm really hoping Reba can hear

this other side of my voice
that she hasn't heard before.

♪ Shut your mouth
And run me like a river ♪

[Keith chuckles]

-What a song!
-[Justin] All right!

That's a great song.

-The only thing I see is breath.
-Yes.

Get your lyrics out and start marking

-where you take a breath.
-Okay.

I'm assuming you guys get
little to no sleep during this period.

[Zeya] I didn't get a lot of sleep.

I was thinking about today.

When your voice is not quite there for you

'cause you're tired,
the vocal gets affected.

You can't hit the note you want to go for

'cause you didn't have
the breath under it.

[vocalizes]

♪ That note's really high ♪

-You know? Forget that high note...
-[giggles]

...and find the lower note that says
you could hit that lyric right there

and maybe one note up there.

-Okay.
-Make the lyric be the thing.

My voice is not there? All right.

I'm gonna tell the story even more.

-Okay.
-Good note.

-I'm gonna use that.
-[Zeya chuckles]

-I might have to use it myself. [laughs]
-[all laugh]

Write that down.

I thought Zeya had
a really good song choice.

She's got a real innate swagger about her.

And that song... A very good match.

-Thank you so much.
-You're excellent.

[Keith] This pairing is hard
because Justin and Jeremy

have the singer-songwriter thing,

and then Zeya has more of a vocal ability.

But that may not connect
if she over-sings.

This is going to be
a really tough decision.

-Bye-bye.
-One more. One more.

One more. One more.
Y'all are cute as a button.

[John] All right, Garcias.

-Let's go, boys!
-Let's go!

Singing "You Are the Reason,"
here are Justin and Jeremy Garcia.

Let's go, baby!

♪ There goes my heart beating ♪

♪ 'Cause you are the reason ♪

♪ I'm losing my sleep ♪

♪ Please come back now ♪

All right.

♪ And if I could turn back the clock ♪

♪ And make sure
The light defeated the dark ♪

♪ I'd spend every hour of every day ♪

♪ Keeping you safe ♪

♪ And I'd climb every mountain ♪

♪ And swim every ocean ♪

♪ Just to be with you ♪

♪ And fix what I've broken ♪

♪ Oh, 'cause I need you ♪

♪ To see ♪

Okay!

♪ That you are the reason ♪

♪ I need you to hold me tonight ♪

♪ Come a little closer ♪

-♪ Come a little closer ♪
-♪ Come a little closer now ♪

-♪ Come a little closer now ♪
-♪ Come a little closer ♪

♪ I need you to hold me tonight ♪

♪ And I'd climb every mountain ♪

♪ And swim every ocean ♪

♪ Just to be with you ♪

♪ And fix what I've broken ♪

♪ Oh, 'cause I need you ♪

♪ To see ♪

♪ That you are the reason ♪

[audience cheers]

-[cheering]
-[John] All right, Zeya!

Now with "River," here's Zeya Rae.

[backup vocalists]
♪ Like a river, like a river ♪

♪ How do you fall in love ♪

♪ Harder than a b*llet could hit ya ♪

♪ How do we fall apart ♪

♪ Faster than a hairpin trigger ♪

♪ Don't you say
Don't you say it ♪

♪ Don't say
Don't you say it ♪

♪ One breath ♪

♪ It'll just break it ♪

♪ So shut your mouth
And run me like a river ♪

♪ Shut your mouth
Baby, stand and deliver ♪

♪ Holy hands
Will they make me a sinner ♪

♪ Like a river ♪

♪ Like a river ♪

♪ Shut your mouth
And run me like a river ♪

♪ Choke this love
Till the veins start to shiver ♪

♪ One last breath
Till the tears start to wither ♪

♪ Like a river ♪

♪ Like a river ♪

♪ Shut your mouth
And run me like a river ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Oh, whoa ♪

♪ Oh, whoa ♪

♪ Like a river ♪

-♪ Stand and deliver ♪
-♪ Stand and deliver ♪

[backup vocalists] ♪ Holy hands ♪

-♪ Will they make me a sinner ♪
-♪ Make me a sinner ♪

♪ Like a river ♪

♪ Like a river ♪

♪ Shut your mouth
And run me like a river ♪

♪ Choke this love
Till the veins start to shiver ♪

♪ One last breath
Till the tears start to wither ♪

♪ Like a river ♪

♪ Like a river ♪

♪ Shut your mouth
And run me like a river ♪

[audience cheers]

Great job. Wonderful.

[Dan] Zeya,
your intensity matched the song.

The whole production...
Shout out to everybody doing the lights

and the screens and the band
and everything. It was awesome.

-I still can't see right now.
-Yeah.

There was one single light
that hit me in the eyeball,

and I think I passed away for a second.

-Yeah.
-But it was worth it.

-He has risen. [chuckles]
-That's right.

Zeya, vocally, technically,

you've grown a lot
through this competition.

Don't pull away from the mic.
That happens to me all the time.

Sometimes I just put down the mic
and just run around

and hope that Dan's got my back.

-But he's... Thank you.
-Got you, dude.

[Shay] But I thought
it was a great performance.

Justin and Jeremy, your confidence
has boosted with every performance.

-For sure, for sure.
-Thank you.

It's the blood harmony thing
like Reba said. It's just so dialed.

I gotta go with my boys
Justin and Jeremy, man.

You guys, the voice!

Man, that was fire.

Zeya, I sense a little lack of confidence
in the very early parts of the song.

When a person runs into that
and fights back

and ends up giving
one of their better performances,

-I always have to call that out.
-Yeah.

You gave a badass performance.

Thank you.

Justin and Jeremy,

I wish there was a little bit
more energy in the performance.

-Right.
-You're so technically talented

that it's still
just a beautiful performance.

[John] Justin and Jeremy,

I really loved a lot of the falsetto stuff
where you're doing harmonies together.

But you guys can work on
being a little more in sync together

so you can open up and do

what you know you can do
as vocalists, okay?

-Got it. Thank you so much.
-Thank you so much.

Zeya, I really love those
higher chest voice notes you were doing.

I felt a little bit more connected
to Zeya's performance.

-Thank you, coaches.
-Thank you.

All right, Queen Reba,
give us some thoughts on the knockout.

Zeya, you did a great job.

I would've loved to have seen you
stay in one position in that song.

-But your voice is great, you know that.
-Thank you.

Justin and Jeremy,
y'all are cute as a button.

-Look at that smile. Oh, my gosh.
-[chuckles]

I thought you did a great job.

There were a few little things where
I thought you might have gotten lost,

but congratulations on pulling this off,
and you did a wonderful job.

-Thank you.
-Thank you so much.

All right, Reba.

Who is the winner of this knockout?

[sighs]

The winner of this knockout...

is Justin and Jeremy.

Justin and Jeremy Garcia,

-you are in the playoffs!
-Oh, my God.

Reba really makes us feel
like we have something to offer,

-and we belong in this competition.
-Yeah.

-We're going to the playoffs!
-We're going to the playoffs!

Give it up for Zeya Rae,
ladies and gentlemen!

[Reba] It was a hard decision
because Zeya is so good,

but I had to choose Justin and Jeremy
because of the uniqueness of their act.

Everybody's great singers,

but we have to have
something a little different.

And going with the brothers
was part of my strategy.

Reba, you're the only one
with a steal left.

I am.

-Hey, what are you singing today?
-[chuckles]

All right, turn your chairs around.

[Shay, off-key] ♪ I give you all ♪

[audience cheers, laughs]

Turn your chairs around,
see if he passes the test.

♪ Here's your one chance, Fancy
Don't let me down ♪

[audience cheers]

That's... You know?

-You're now Team Chance, like...
-I was thinking about that today,

and everybody's so excited
about the mega mentor,

and I'm like, this is my first time
working with Chance.

-That's what I'm saying.
-He just stole me.

Alyssa's brand new to my team.
I stole her from Reba.

[Daly] Whoa!

[Chance]
Alyssa has a really soulful voice,

and she also has this tenacity
to work through performances.

And so, I put her up against Rletto.

He's an amazingly talented singer.

And if you're new to Team Chance,
you gotta prove your worth.

-Hey!
-[Alyssa] Oh, my God!

-What's good?
-Rletto, how are you?

-He said my name. I'm great. How are you?
-Yeah, I'm good.

When I saw Keith, I was like,
"Yo. This is crazy."

He's won so many Grammys
and has number one singles.

-Did you get stolen? How about that.
-I'm the steal!

[Alyssa] Keith was actually
my first concert

after I had begun my sobriety journey.

Also, he just oozes stardom.

I want to say again thank you
for giving me another opportunity.

-I appreciate you so much.
-[Chance] Thank you!

This is the way
it was supposed to go down.

♪ Don't wish it away ♪

♪ Don't look at it like it's forever ♪

I am singing "I Guess That's Why
They Call it the Blues" by Elton John,

but I'm doing the Alessia Cara version.

♪ I could honestly say ♪

It's about loving somebody
that's far away from you.

I'm, of course, singing to my fiancé, Dan,

because he's the love of my life

and he's lots of miles away
from me, unfortunately,

and this whole process
has been really, really hard

being away from our life together.

♪ And it won't be long ♪

But at the same time,

this song is also about
being able to find yourself

while you're away
from the person you love.

And we've learned so much about ourselves

and how we're able to live
our lives separately,

but still be in a really strong,
connected relationship together.

♪ Time on my hands ♪

He is the biggest support
in my musical journey.

He's taken over paying our bills

and taking care of our house
and our animals,

while I'm out here living my dream.

I want to win this knockout
so badly for him.

♪ And I guess that's why
They call it the blues ♪

I loved Alyssa's pick, and I think what
it really showcased to me is her voice.

She has this soulful rock tinge to it,
almost like a country tinge to it.

Even though she's not a country artist,
she brings a soulful, Southern feel to it.

That's what makes her so unique.

♪ The blues ♪

-Nice.
-All right!

-Do you feel comfortable with the key?
-I'm just still working the kinks out.

'Cause to me, it sounded
like you were flat in a lot of parts.

-Did you guys go up?
-Yes.

We started at F and we went to F-sharp.

-You just gonna rein in your adrenaline.
-Yeah.

You're so excited to get
to those big notes at the end,

that you're not in the moment you're in.

So just be in the moments.

The first time you did
"laughing like children"

was the first time you got pitchy,

-so just keep rehearsing it.
-Okay.

The ownership you had
at the end of the song

after you hit that high note,

and then you just let it sit
for as long as you wanted

before you came back in, right?
The whole band's waiting on you.

Have that ownership

-from the very beginning to the end.
-All right.

♪ And dust out the demons inside ♪

-This sounds great.
-It's so much better.

Let's give Rletto a shot.

Dude, you sound fire, man.

-What song are you singing?
-"Stay" by Justin Bieber and Kid LAROI.

-And Kid LAROI!
-I'm like... [squeals]

-Okay.
-Justin Bieber, that's my ace.

I know. I want to do it
as much justice as I possibly can.

♪ I get drunk
Wake up ♪

The line
"I realize time that I wasted here"...

♪ Time that I've wasted here ♪

...that has so much weight to it.
I did a lot of odd jobs growing up.

Worked at a coffee shop

when I could've been doing
something music-related.

I was just wasting time in these spots
that weren't meant for me.

And now I'm working
with someone that's so great.

Chance is literally one of
the most humblest human beings ever.

I want to stay on Team Chance.
I want to win bad.

Yeah, sing for real!

Rletto,
he's just unapologetically himself.

He's very open with how he feels
about the arrangements,

with why he picks songs.

He's like, "I'm me. I'm Rletto.
This is what I do."

♪ I need you to stay
Need you to stay ♪

-All right.
-Yeah.

[Chance] This song is so fast.

Would you feel comfortable
slowing it down at all?

I'm down to slow it down.

You've thrived so much
when you did the Whitney song.

If you do ballad and soul stuff
on the show,

people are gonna love it every time.

-Make it a real ballad.
-I like all of this. I needed all of this.

Turning these pop rap songs into ballads,

this can be a cool new venture
of my artistry.

I haven't heard anyone
do this song slow yet.

The biggest challenge for me right now

is going to be getting comfortable
with this new arrangement.

But I got this. I can do this.

When you get to the end
of "need you to stay, need you to stay,"

-you change the melody a little.
-Yeah.

I think you need to do that
in the slow bit as well.

-Okay.
-'Cause need you to stay, stay...

It's just not going to be there
when you're in that fragile moment.

Yeah.

♪ Need you to stay ♪

-Whatever you do there...
-Yeah.

...is so much better.

Dang, you just hit that note so easily.
Dang!

[Chance] Whenever I turn a song
into a ballad,

you would think
that because you have more time,

you're saying more words,
but I'm usually cutting out words.

You should be remembering the emotion

-on each bar.
-Yeah.

♪ I told you I'd change
Even when I knew I never could ♪

-Yeah!
-Yeah.

There's a lot of pressure
going into these knockout rounds.

I'm really feeling for all the artists.

♪ Need you to stay ♪

There's this incredible balancing act
of being calm, centered, but energized

that every one of them
has gotta strike because it's do-or-die.

"The Voice" is so much more
about you as an individual.

This is really your opportunity
to platform who you are,

so get up there and show yourself.

-Thank you.
-Thank you.

[audience cheers]

[exhales sharply]

Let's go!

With "I Guess That's Why
They Call It The Blues,"

here's Alyssa Crosby.

♪ Don't wish it away ♪

♪ Don't look at it like it's forever ♪

♪ Between you and me ♪

♪ I could honestly say that things ♪

♪ Can only get better ♪

♪ And while I'm away ♪

♪ Dust out the demons inside ♪

♪ And it won't be long ♪

♪ Before you and me run ♪

♪ To the place in our hearts
Where we hide ♪

♪ And I guess that's why
They call it the blues ♪

♪ Time on my hands ♪

♪ Could be time spent with you ♪

♪ Laughing like children ♪

♪ Living like lovers ♪

♪ Rolling like thunder under the covers ♪

♪ And I guess that's why
They call it the blues ♪

♪ I guess that's why
They call it the blues ♪

♪ Time on my hands ♪

♪ Could be time spent with you ♪

♪ Laughing like children ♪

♪ Living like lovers ♪

♪ Rolling like thunder under the covers ♪

[audience cheers]

-Yeah.
-Hey!

♪ And I guess that's why they call it ♪

♪ The blues ♪

-[audience cheers]
-That's great.

Whoo!

Rletto!

Whoo!

Now with "Stay," here's Rletto.

♪ I do the same thing ♪

♪ I told you that I never would ♪

♪ I told you I'd change ♪

♪ Even when I knew I never could ♪

♪ Know that I can't find nobody else
As good as you ♪

♪ I need you to stay
Oh ♪

♪ I get drunk ♪

♪ Wake up, I'm wasted still ♪

♪ Realize the time that I've wasted here ♪

♪ I feel like you can't feel
The way I feel ♪

♪ I'll be messed up
If I can't be right here ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ I'll be messed up
If I can't be right here ♪

♪ I do the same thing ♪

♪ I told you that I never would ♪

♪ I told you I'd change ♪

♪ Even when I knew I never could ♪

♪ Know that I can't find nobody else
As good as you ♪

♪ I need you to stay
I need you to stay ♪

♪ When I'm away from you
I miss your touch ♪

♪ You're the reason I believe in love ♪

♪ It's been difficult for me to trust ♪

♪ And I'm afraid that I'ma mess it up ♪

♪ Ain't no way
That I can leave you stranded ♪

♪ 'Cause you ain't
Never leave me empty-handed ♪

♪ And you know that I know ♪

♪ That I can't live without you ♪

♪ So won't you stay ♪

♪ Oh ♪

He's on fire.

♪ Stay ♪

♪ I need you to stay ♪

♪ So won't you stay ♪

[audience cheers]

That was sick.

Man, that was such a great performance
by both of you guys.

Alyssa, your technique is just insane.

Elton's not an easy singer,
but you absolutely crushed it.

This was one of the best
knockout performances of the day.

It genuinely was.

That was such a fun performance.

Song selection was phenomenal.

It just had something a little extra,

and it showed a lot about
who you wanna be as an artist,

and I was very impressed with that,
so well done.

Thank you so much.

[Dan] Rletto, dude,

always bringing the heat with the outfits.

Just a legend, man.

I don't know who came up
with that arrangement,

if that was you and Chance or Chance.
I think that was so dope.

It's got so much soul and body to it.

-I thought you slayed that.
-Thank you.

That was crazy.
You could put on a master class

on what it means to perform,

because you brought me
into that performance,

-and I believed every word that you sang.
-Thank you.

Rletto, you really are just cool.

Your tone is just fresh.

You feel like a tastemaker,
you know what I'm saying?

-Yeah.
-Like Rihanna, she can really sing.

But also, everybody just thinks
she's cooler than them,

and they want to know what she likes.

I think I'd placed my bets
on Rletto going forward.

Thank you.

Alyssa, you have grown leaps and bounds.

-Thank you.
-You really showcase that

with the real gritty
"I'm gonna get in there,"

and then the very soft little whisper
and tender moments.

I'm just real proud of ya.

And Rletto, great stage presence,
great performance.

I'm gonna go with Alyssa

-because of your growth.
-Thank you.

Thank you, coaches.

Chance, you got a tough decision here.

But first,
give us some thoughts on the knockout.

Alyssa, you k*lled the song.

Like, top to bottom,
it was an amazing performance

on a brand-new team.
I thought it was awesome.

Rletto, you showed a mastery of the song

and an intention with the lyrics

that really made it personal for me.

When Justin and The Kid LAROI see it,
they'll be proud of the performance.

I kind of wish that you went a little bit
harder in your higher register.

Why not go hard, you know?

I feel that.

Sorry, that's the end
of what I was gonna say.

All right, Chance.
Thanks for letting us know you're done.

Now I'm done.

[Daly] Not an easy decision.

We need to know,
who's the winner of this knockout?

This is a very, very difficult decision.

Both of you guys are amazing artists.

But the winner of this knockout...

is Rletto.

Rletto, congratulations!

You're moving on to the playoffs
for Team Chance!

This is crazy.

I'm going to the playoffs. This is wild.

Give it up for Alyssa Crosby,
ladies and gentlemen.

[Chance] A decision like this
is incredibly difficult.

Alyssa really grew so much
every round so far,

but I had to go with Rletto.

He's just a world-class talent.

My favorite part about Rletto
is his ability to improvise

and make every performance
of any song sound like a brand-new song.

He's honestly, sneakily, like,
one of my favorites.

He's super dope.

[Zoe] Okay, we got this.

-I'm so excited!
-I'm so excited!

So we've got Jackie and Zoe.

Jackie, she's got this crackle

-in her tone that's super cool, I love it.
-Cool. Nice.

And then Zoe is my only country artist.

She won against a trio,
which was pretty difficult.

-In John we trust.
-In John we trust.

-Look who's here!
-Sorry...

We've got a mega mentor.
His name is Keith Urban!

-[Jackie squeals]
-Oh, my God.

[Zoe] Kind of freaked out a little bit.

I grew up listening to him.

He knows how to really
elevate a performance,

'cause he's worked so hard on his own,

and he's worked
with so many other talented artists.

So Jackie, tell me what song you chose.

I'm singing "Love on the Brain"
by Rihanna.

-Oh, I love this song.
-Wow.

It's exactly everything

-that I want to be as an artist.
-Yes.

-You know, like, pop soul genre.
-Yep.

♪ And you got me like oh ♪

This is my first ballad,

and I'm excited to show
how much I can let loose

and just be totally raw and unfiltered.

♪ Baby, you got me like oh ♪

[Jackie] I vividly remember
the first time I heard this song.

I was in the car with my mom.

My mom has given up so much
for me to be here.

Even just for me to record in a studio,

she sold her wedding ring.

I wanna pay my mom back for everything
that she's done for me,

and I'm gonna keep fighting
every single round.

♪ Must be love on the brain ♪

What do you think, Keith?

-She can sing. [laughs]
-Yeah. [laughs]

She can sing!

It's so great
you get to choose your own songs.

Tells us so much about
where you see yourself.

I can feel a bit of nerves.

I felt like I was hearing your voice
more than feeling you.

I think you need to get into character.

-Yeah.
-Feel like you're in a sweaty blues club.

Put more stank on your personality.
You know what I'm saying?

-Yeah.
-And you got it. It's that look.

-It's that. Swag.
-[John] Yes.

[Jackie] ♪ I can run for miles ♪

♪ Just to get a taste ♪

Whoo!

♪ Must be love ♪

[John] I love the crackle
in Jackie's voice. I love that tone.

Rihanna also has that kind of... [grunts]

...that you love to feel in a voice.

And I think Jackie
can do this song justice.

That was really great progress
from take one to take two.

I'm over here being stage dad, like...
[laughs]

Yes.

Jackie k*lled it in rehearsal.

She is such a powerhouse,

and that's not necessarily my strength,

just the big, cool high note.

But I'm just gonna continue to focus

and sing true to myself
and play to my strengths.

So I am singing "Cowboy Take Me Away"
by The Chicks.

-All right.
-I sit in the singer-songwriter,

folk kind of country genre,

and I feel like this song
is right in my sweet spot.

♪ I said I wanna touch the earth ♪

♪ I wanna break it in my hands ♪

[Zoe] This song brings up
so many fond memories for me.

My family and I love to do
a backyard jam session

at my parents' house.

We've sang this song so many times,

and so it just makes me think of home.

♪ Set me free ♪

♪ Oh, I pray ♪

[Zoe] I grew up listening to The Chicks.

They were, like, the first girls I saw

that were writing their own songs
and playing their own instruments.

I owe a lot
of my songwriting style to them.

♪ Closer to you ♪

Whoo!

-It was so good.
-[Keith] It's really nice.

Is it a choice to do

-the sensitive first chorus?
-Yes.

You don't sound confident
in that angelic place.

-You're confident at the end of the song.
-Yeah.

But in the first chorus,
I'm a little bit unsure.

Keith is right
because you only have two minutes.

You got to win, you know?
That's your goal.

Falsetto is the first thing
to betray you in a live...

-...in a live performance.
-[laughs] It so is.

-Yeah, yeah.
-Yeah.

Just go for it on both choruses.

I think you would be good if you visualize
your own cowboy, whoever that is.

-Well, she's engaged to be married.
-Yeah.

-Really?
-So, is your future husband a cowboy?

-In this song he is.
-I mean, he's from Louisiana.

-So, you know, it works.
-We'll call him a cowboy.

-Absolutely. Yeah.
-[all laugh]

-You got to think more about the story...
-Yeah.

...and sing it to your guy.

That's the difference between
a good performance and a great one...

-Yeah.
-...is that connection.

♪ Cowboy, take me away ♪

[Zoe] The biggest challenge
for this song is

I can get so focused
on hitting the right notes

that I forget to just enjoy myself.

♪ Set me free, oh ♪

[Zoe] I really am so new at this,
but every time I get on that stage,

I get more confident, I get more relaxed,

because John continues
to affirm my natural voice.

I can't wait to keep showing John

who I am as an artist
and what I'm able to do.

♪ Closer to you ♪

-You're gonna have a tough call, John.
-It's always tough,

but I want it to be tough,

-and I want everybody to get stolen.
-Hey.

Go out there and just be your best self.

-Let's do it.
-Yay!

Zoe and Jackie are
my two youngest artists,

and I'm seeing growth
in both Zoe and Jackie.

It's gonna be a difficult decision,

but I'm gonna allow myself
to be in the moment

and see who steps up to the plate.

So good!

[audience cheers]

Singing "Love On The Brain,"
here is Jackie Romeo.

♪ And you got me like oh ♪

♪ What you want from me ♪

[backup vocalists]
♪ What you want from me ♪

♪ I tried to buy your pretty heart ♪

♪ But the price too high ♪

♪ Baby, you got me like oh ♪

♪ You love when I fall apart ♪

Yeah.

♪ So you can put me together ♪

♪ And throw me against the wall ♪

♪ Baby, you got me like oh ♪

♪ Ah ♪

♪ Don't stop loving me ♪

-[backup vocalists] ♪ Loving me ♪
-♪ Just start loving me ♪

-♪ Loving me ♪
-♪ Don't quit loving me ♪

[backup vocalists] ♪ Loving me ♪

♪ And, babe ♪

♪ I'm fist-fighting with fire ♪

♪ Just to get close to you ♪

♪ Can we burn something, baby ♪

♪ I could run for miles ♪

♪ Just to get a taste ♪

♪ Must be love on the brain ♪

Yes, Jackie! Yeah!

♪ That's got me feeling this way ♪

[backup vocalists] ♪ Feeling this way ♪

♪ It beats me black and blue ♪

♪ But it loves me so good ♪

♪ And I can't get enough ♪

♪ Must be love on the brain ♪

-♪ And it keeps cursing my name ♪
-♪ Cursing my name ♪

♪ No matter what I do ♪

♪ I'm no good without you ♪

♪ And I can't get enough ♪

♪ Must be love on the ♪

♪ Brain ♪

Hey, hey!

Yes, Jackie! Whoo!

Let's go!

Now with "Cowboy Take Me Away,"
here's Zoe Levert.

♪ I said I wanna touch the earth ♪

♪ I wanna break it in my hands ♪

♪ I wanna grow something wild
And unruly ♪

♪ Oh, it sounds good to me ♪

♪ Cowboy, take me away ♪

♪ Fly this girl as high as you can ♪

♪ Into the wild blue ♪

♪ Set me free
Oh, I pray ♪

♪ Closer to heaven above ♪

♪ And closer to you ♪

♪ I wanna walk and not run ♪

♪ I wanna skip and not fall ♪

♪ I wanna look at the horizon ♪

♪ And not see a building standing tall ♪

♪ I wanna be the only one ♪

♪ For miles and miles ♪

Yeah!

♪ Except for maybe you ♪

♪ And your simple smile ♪

♪ Oh, it sounds so good to me, oh ♪

♪ Cowboy, take me away ♪

♪ Fly this girl as high as you can ♪

♪ Into the wild blue ♪

♪ Set me free
Oh, I pray ♪

♪ Closer to heaven above ♪

♪ And closer to you ♪

♪ Closer to you, oh ♪

♪ Closer to you, yeah ♪

Yeah, Zoe!

-[giggles]
-[audience cheers]

♪ Closer to you ♪

Yes!

Whoa!

Yes!

What a great job both of you did.

Jackie, you've got a wonderful voice.

Love the way you commanded the stage.

Zoe, I love your tone and I love the runs.

They're so effortless.

-Thank you.
-You just do 'em like, "Ha! I did that."

[laughs]

Zoe, you just have
an amazing control of pitch.

-I think you're gonna be a star.
-Thank you so much.

Jackie absolutely sang the mess
out of that song.

Oh, my gosh.

[Chance] I just have a new understanding
and respect for that song.

It was really cool
to see your artistry at work.

Thank you.

Would you like
to make a suggestion, Chance?

-Being honest, no. No, I won't.
-[John] Okay.

-Awesome. Perfect. Moving on.
-Because they were both so good.

Okay, okay.

Jackie, you just have
such a powerful voice,

such amazing control. You were feeling it.

In that moment you threw that mic stand,
I was like,

-"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about."
-That was dope.

You remind me a lot of my sister, Gabby.

Whenever she starts to sing,
she's throwing stuff down on the ground.

Zoe, you know that your range is here,

and you just absolutely nail it
inside of your range.

You flip to the falsetto
at the right times.

-Yeah.
-I feel like we're watching

the butterfly moment
where you've come out of the cocoon.

I'm not talking about your outfit.

[laughs]

-You remind me so much of Taylor Swift.
-Yeah.

You are unapologetically yourself,
just like Taylor is.

I feel like we're watching you
kind of come into your own.

-I would say Zoe.
-[John] Okay.

She's one of my favorite
of the competition so far.

Thank you, coaches.

Buddy, it all comes down to you,
of course.

Jackie, I saw you really embracing
the energy of the song

and emotionally connecting to it.

But you also knew when to
finesse the notes as well,

and it was very in control the way
you handled the dynamics of the song.

Thank you.

And Zoe, I do feel like

everybody's watching you
continue to grow and surprise us.

You sounded like a great artist
who needs to be heard.

Thank you so much.

John, who is the winner of this knockout?

♪ I don't know what I want to do ♪

♪ I don't know what I want to do ♪

[audience laughs]

The winner of this knockout...

is Zoe.

Zoe Levert!

Congratulations!

[John] Zoe,
she's been kind of an underdog.

She was a one-chair turn in the blinds,

but she keeps rising to the occasion,

and we're watching her blossom.

-Oh, my God.
-[John] Great job.

I think Zoe's definitely gonna be
a lovable artist for our country fans.

So I was like, we gotta keep going.

Let's go, Zoe.

[Zoe] I'm so excited.

I feel like I've really grown,

and I just can't wait to explore
new sides to my artistry with John.

Coaches, let me remind you
that Jackie's available to steal.

Jackie, anything
you'd like to say to John?

You've been an absolutely
incredible coach.

Thank you so much.

[Daly] Give it up for Jackie Romeo!

-One more time, everybody.
-Thank you.

-Yeah!
-[Daly] Hold it, Jackie!

That's the sound of a steal!

I was hoping that would happen.

-From Queen Reba!
-Let's go!

[Reba] Jackie could sing country,
Jackie could sing anything she wants

'cause she's that strong of a singer.

I'm very excited to go get to work
with her on the playoffs.

[sobbing, giggling]

Bless your heart.

-I hope you're having fun.
-I am.

Excellent. Continue to have fun.

-Absolutely.
-I love ya.

Thank you so much. I love you too.

-[crowd member] Thank you, Reba!
-Thank you, thank you.

I love you, Reba! Who said that?