The Voice Recap: Season 17 Finalists Sing For America’s Votes for the Last Time
Who has your vote for The Voice?
It’s been one of the closest competitions since season 17 of NBC’s The Voice kicked off in September. It’s also the first time in seven seasons that all four coaches have a team member in the finale.
Before the music began, host Carson Daly explained that all four singers would sing three songs — one original, one cover and one holiday duet with their coach. Instead of bunching up the performances by category, though, the show jumbled them up, keeping it interesting for the viewing audience.
The night of competition kicked off with Ricky Duran.
RICKY DURAN – “Runnin’ Down a Dream” by Tom Petty (SOLO PERFORMANCE)
- from Team Blake
- Once again, Ricky played guitar along with the band, showing as much prowess as a picker as he is a vocalist.
KELLY: “This is my favorite finale…everything is represented here. Everybody has their own little niche they have. That range was incredible, Ricky.”
JOHN: “It is really cool to hear classic rock on this show and you do it so incredibly. When you sing it, it feels so vibrant…everything is working for you.”
BLAKE: “You never let any of us down. Every time you get on that stage, we know you’re going to do something awesome.”
JAKE HOOT – “Better Off Without You” (ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE)
- from Team Kelly
- Co-written by Jake Hoot and David Pahanish
GWEN: “I think it’s really exciting to hear an original song and get to know you more from your song.”
KELLY: “It’s funny because you come across as timid, but you’re really just super humble…you always put yourself on the back burner in every situation which makes you a great human… A great writer draws from their life experience. I love that you got to showcase that today.”
KATIE KADAN with John Legend – “Merry Christmas Baby” by Otis Redding
(HOLIDAY DUET)
- John said that this is just the “first” duet to come from the pair, implying that more duets may lie in the future.
ROSE SHORT – “Steam roller” (ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE)
- from Team Gwen
- Written by Kelleigh Bannen, Scott Stepakoff and Jason Massey
- Recorded where Blake recorded “God’s Country,” which she performed on the show.
BLAKE: “I don’t know that I’ve ever heard a better pairing of an artist with an original song.”
GWEN: “I can see that you’re so free and just having a good time and enjoying the moment…and you just seem so sparkly and happy, and the song just tells your story.”
RICKY DURAN with Blake Shelton – “Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck Berry
(HOLIDAY DUET)
- Blake chose this song to showcase Ricky’s outstanding guitar playing as well as his vocals.
KATIE KADAN – “All Better” (ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE)
- from Team Legend
- Written by Andrew Wells, Katie Pearlman and Audra Mae Butts
- Recorded at Capitol Records
KELLY: “Oh my gosh, you better go ahead with that sexy vibe. No joke, that is on my sexy playlist.”
JOHN: “I feel like it’s the perfect marriage of her style with a little bit modern production…you sell that song so beautifully. It’s just right there in your pocket. The attitude, the energy, the vibe…”
JAKE HOOT with Kelly Clarkson – “Wintersong” by Sarah McLachlan
(HOLIDAY DUET)
- Kelly told Jake she had been looking forward to singing with him all season. “I knew you’d be here,” she said regarding his appearance in the finale.
ROSE SHORT with Gwen Stefani – “My Gift is You” by Gwen Stefani
(HOLIDAY DUET)
- It was hard to tell who was having more fun with this sweet and spicy song from Gwen’s holiday album.
JAKE HOOT – “Amazed” by Lonestar (SOLO PERFORMANCE)
- from Kelly Clarkson
- Most streamed artist this season
GWEN: The thing that was so beautiful tonight is just seeing you so relaxed…your voice is so familiar to me and so comforting.”
KELLY: “I love you Jake Hoot, I love you. You’re everything I grew up on in country music…I know you were just a one chair turn, but I’m grateful because I didn’t have to fight anyone.”
KATIE KADAN – “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith (SOLO PERFORMANCE)
- from Team Legend
- Backed by an orchestra and choir
BLAKE: (couldn’t speak over the roar of applause) “I can’t get a word in because people love you so freakin’ much. Once again, unbelievable. There’s nothing else to say about how incredible you are.”
JOHN: “I’m just so honored I got to work with you throughout this whole season…you never let us down, not only did you not let us down, you dazzled us every single time…you should be so proud of what you’ve done.”
RICKY DURAN – “A Woman Like Her” (ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE)
- from Team Blake
- Written by Eric Paslay, Laura Veltz and Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley
KELLY: “You remind me of Bruce Springsteen…it’s just so beautiful, it’s such a perfect song.”
JOHN: “I was listening to that song and I was jealous that I hadn’t been pitched that song, it’s gorgeous…I have a feeling that’s going to be the most-streamed song of the night. Your performance was gorgeous.”
BLAKE: “Way to wait until your last competitive performance of this entire season to give the best performance of your entire run. America, Santa Claus wants one thing from you and that’s to vote for Ricky Duran.”
ROSE SHORT – “Border Song” by Elton John (SOLO PERFORMANCE)
- from Team Gwen
- Thanked Gwen for bringing out the best in her
JOHN: “What a beautiful message for the final song of your journey on this show…that was very special. Ending with that message, knowing your roots in gospel and hearing it sung so beautifully, it was very special.”
GWEN: “You have known exactly what to do at every single turn and every single moment…and I think sometimes God just puts an extra little drop of cool, an extra little drop of talent and he did that with you.”
And with that, the decision falls into the hand of The Voice voters. During the December 17 elimination round, coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, along with Carson and the rest of the world will find out who takes home The Voice season 17 trophy. In addition, viewers will enjoy performances from Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum, and many more will be taking the stage while the contestants anxiously await their destiny.
