Top 20 The Voice (U.S.) 4-Chair Turns

This season 16 artist’s blind audition is nothing short of captivating. As Maelyn begins to sing “Fields of Gold”, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton all turn almost instantly. And it doesn’t take long for John Legend to do the same. Considering the beautiful tone of Jarmon’s voice, it’s not hard to see why. She brings this Sting tune to life with a wonderful mix of delicacy and power. In doing so, Maelyn demonstrates her skill as a singer. But more than that, she shows us her ability to connect with audiences, which is a crucial part of any good performance.

From the moment he starts singing Bruno Mars’ “It Will Rain”, it’s clear that Bryan is the real deal. He takes this romantic - and immensely popular - song, and does it justice. Importantly, he brings the tenderness that’s at the core of the tune to the fore of his performance. That, combined with his rugged tone, makes for something incredibly special. Adam, Blake, CeeLo Green, and Christina Aguilera all quickly understand this. Keith’s blind audition is from season 3, but it sounds like it could play on the radio today, which is a true testament to his talent.

#18: Anthony Riley

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Before Riley even opens his mouth, the judges know that somebody exceptional has walked onto the stage - and boy, are they right. From the very first note, everybody is hooked on his magnetic rendition of "I Got You (I Feel Good)". The judges all press their buttons at lightning speed, and for good reason. The season 8 singer’s audition has everything: from vocals, to style, to energy. And it earns him a well-deserved standing ovation. Anthony ultimately left the show due to “personal reasons”, and sadly passed away a short while after. While his story ended prematurely, there’s no doubt that he proved himself as a true star on “The Voice”.

Tamara is quick to impress both Kelly and John with her commanding rendition of “Cuz I Love You”. Though it takes Blake and Gwen Stefani a little longer to catch on, they eventually join the party too. Honestly, Kelly Clarkson is all of us watching Jade slay this Lizzo song. Her vocals are absolutely insane, and she effortlessly tackles both the spoken and sung portions of the tune. She tears up the stage with one of the best covers of this track in existence, and we’re here for it! We’re crying, because we love Tamara Jade.

With just her opening notes, this season four contestant immediately earns Usher and Adam Levine’s support. As she continues her sultry rendition of Christina Aguilera’s “What a Girl Wants,” Judith’s unique approach and arrangement soon hooks Shakira too. The familiar chorus revs up the audience, which is always a plus, before one particularly impressive vocal run ultimately convinces Blake Shelton. In this blind audition, Judith’s originality stands out, as well as her exceptional tone and pacing. It’s a showstopping performance that actually elicits a standing ovation courtesy of Levine and Shakira. How could any judge say no?

#15: Sarah Simmons

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In this season four performance, the young contestant starts off relatively safe with her interpretation of Joan Osborne’s “What If God Was One Of Us,” only teasing her real potential. That fabulous little crescendo works wonders though, prompting both Adam Levine and Shakira to simultaneously turn around. Even they’re shocked by what comes next though. In her breathtaking second verse, Sarah Simmons seriously ups the energy, drama and attitude. For this blind audition, it’s the versatility that connects, as Sarah hits the high notes and digs deep, too. Blake and Usher quickly cave too, allowing the contestant to close out with complete assurance.

Gilman infuses “When We Were Young” with an abundance of feeling, and takes us all on a beautiful journey in the process. Nostalgia is a big part of what makes Adele’s songs so magical, and he channels that with an ease that’s simply breathtaking. Plus, his vocals are absolutely stunning. Billy is able to master both the technical and sentimental side of the track, which is no small feat. It’s easy to just close your eyes and let his wonderful voice carry you through the melody. It’s no wonder Blake, Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keys, and Adam all want him on their team.

This season 6 contestant has a deep, beautiful, and sultry voice that carries an immense amount of strength. That’s exactly what a song like “Ain’t No Way” needs. Sisaundra Lewis doesn’t just hit the notes, she breathes new life into them. What’s more, she draws us all in with a captivating - and incredibly precise - vocal. Plus, Lewis accomplishes all of this with an Aretha Franklin song, which is really saying something. It’s as though the track was made for her, because that’s just how talented she is! It goes without saying, but Sisaundra more than earns that coveted four-chair turn with this blind audition.

Often, the most poignant and memorable performances are born out of a quiet simplicity. Thunderstorm’s season 18 audition is a prime example of this. It’s not easy to nail a song from a band as iconic and beloved as The Beatles. But Artis makes “Blackbird” his own, while still preserving its integrity and essence. That’s how he gets all four judges to turn around. All he needs for a soft and touching rendition of the tune is his voice and a guitar. The result is a hauntingly beautiful display of artistry. Simply put, this stripped down performance is utterly awe-inspiring.

#11: Wé McDonald

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Top 10 The Voice (U.S.) 4-Chair Turns

Wé’s voice is, in a word, mesmerizing. Her compelling sound and impeccable pitch are truly remarkable. While singing “Feeling Good”, she perfectly transitions her voice to match the melody. As the tune gets more intense, so too does Wé. She masterfully takes it up several notches without ever breaking a sweat. It’s quite literally music to our - and the judges’ - ears. The star produces a thrilling and electric atmosphere with her performance, which is what the show is all about. It’s easy to understand why all the judges fight for her. Ultimately, Wé’s riveting rendition of this classic track is as timeless as the hit itself.

In the premiere season, this contestant glides through his blind audition with sublime, emotional vocals. Performing a stripped-down take on Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time,” Javier’s unique tone and vocal runs quickly earn him a couple chair turns. The remaining judges clearly still require more to be convinced - but boy does he ever deliver the goods when the chorus hits. Christina Aguilera shows her appreciation, and with only one chair left, Javier capitalizes on his last big note, making it so that Blake Shelton has no choice but to throw his hat into the ring too.

Right from the jump, this season eight contestant gets the judges all worked up. One chair. Two chairs. Nope, make that THREE chairs. Performing the folk classic “I’m a Man of Constant Sorrow,” Sawyer’s performance proves that he’s not just reciting the lyrics - he’s really FEELING them. That’s crucial for such an existential song, and he mixes in some vocal texture to further sell himself. Blake Shelton initially remains skeptical, but he’s ultimately overcome by a gut instinct, giving Sawyer the fourth chair and free reign to fully enjoy the moment while plucking away on his six-string.

#8: Brooke Simpson

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“Stone Cold” is one of Demi Lovato’s most powerful songs. Season 13 contestant Brooke Simpson taps into that vulnerability, which makes her audition incredibly poignant. In other words, she uses the tune’s emotion to her advantage. What’s more, everyone knows that Demi’s vocals are no joke. Again, Simpson doesn’t let that scare her off. Instead, she hits every note - and makes it look easy! As if all of that wasn’t impressive enough on its own, the singer also brings her own personality to the track. We can’t imagine a world where a performance this enchanting doesn’t earn a four chair turn!

On a list of big performances, it’s the little things that drive this season three audition and set it apart. Performing Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn”, Cassadee initially sounds much like the original artist. But she differentiates herself by holding onto specific notes, highlighting her vocal command in the process. With three judges already on board, Cee-Lo holds out for something more, and Cassadee comes through by further stretching out her vocals. It’s not the most polished 4-chair audition, but it’s loaded with potential, which is exactly what the judges are looking for.

In season five, this singer delivers the goods with her vocal nuances. Tessanne Chin effortlessly glides through each word of Pink’s popular song “Try,” immediately stunning the judges with her polish and control. Three chairs turn rather fast, and the fourth comes when Tessanne amplifies just a little more. It’s the consistency and composure that drives the performance, as the singer exudes a quiet confidence . Tessanne begins on a high note and never slips throughout, making her one of the more refined four-chair vocalists in the show’s history.

#5: Matthew Schuler

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Speaking of swift four-chair turns, this season five singer gets the job done instantaneously. For the judges, it’s often a certain note or technique that grabs their attention. And with this “Cough Syrup” performance, Matthew earns support through an immaculate opening. He doesn’t necessarily build to a moment – he creates one. There’s the unique pitch, of course, but there’s passion and energy, too. Matthew relies on his natural gifts, which prove a gift to the judges as well. Like with so many 4-chair auditions, the judges are all smiles - happy to sit back, relax and just bask in the glory of the performance being given to them.

It’s time to revisit one of the most beautiful voices to ever grace the show’s stage, SandyRedd. As she performs “River”, the star rightfully blows everyone away. The music runs through her, and she brings the track to life in an unprecedented way. This gifted season 15 contestant has talent, stage presence, skill, and the fiery passion that icons are known for. We get chills everytime we watch her audition. It feels like a concert quality performance, and we can’t help but be moved. So it comes as no shock that she also captures the hearts of the judges and gets them to push their buttons. If that's not star power, we don’t know what is.

In this season ten audition, Blake Shelton listens closely and curiously. After all, “Blue Bayou” is a country pop classic. When Alisan opens up and showcases her range, three judges not only turn around, but also bang on their buttons like they really mean business. It’s a theatrical rendition, one that a powerhouse singer like Christina Aguilera can appreciate. Some performers can easily lose focus in such a moment, but not Alisan. She steps up her game, further reaffirming just how much she brings to the table. With some country twang and vocal bravado, this 4-chair audition has the judges all shook up in the best possible way.

Some vocalists are a clear product of their training - others stand out as a result of unique, intangible qualities that simply can’t be taught. In her season six audition performance, the late Christina Grimmie earned three chairs within a matter of seconds, when the judges immediately recognized the singer’s raw talent. The big chorus further accentuated Christina’s star potential, showcasing her versatility and stage presence. The big notes matter, of course - and there are plenty - but Christina truly shone during quieter moments, which ultimately set the tone for her spectacular finale, which earned her the coveted fourth chair turn. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Jesse Campbell His Rendition of “A Song for You” Was a Song That Spoke to Everyone James Wolpert His Cover of Jack White’s “Love Interruption” Turned Heads & Chairs India Carney Her “New York State of Mind” Is Gripping Worth the Wait This Trio Definitely Lives up to Their Name Katie Kadan This Season 17 Contestant’s Voice Is Incredibly Powerful

For this season nine performance, “The Voice” offers the viewers a different perspective. Rather than showing the actual contestant, the camera initially focuses exclusively on the judges’ reactions. Though the reveal is a big one, it shouldn’t be allowed to detract from the actual audition - which is truly one of exceptional technique and skill. Performing “Chandelier,” Jordan Smith stays faithful to the original arrangement, but he slays the audition with his slight alterations and consistency. It’s so good, in fact, that Adam Levine actually seems confused by it, before ultimately lending his support. It’s arguably the most dramatic four-chair blind audition, and undeniably THE best.