Ricky Manning turned Pharrell and Blake’s chairs in the Blind Auditions, performing John Newman’s ‘Love Me Again.’ I have no recollection of this event.
He made it through the Battle Rounds by out-performing Brittany Butler on ‘On Broadway.’ No memory of that one, either.
In the Knockouts, he went head-to-head with Elyjuh René — also known as the goofy braces kid — and delivered one of the best performances of the season so far. That was today’s SOTD, ‘Wrecking Ball,’ and I remember it well.
Astonishingly, Pharrell went with Elyjuh, leaving room for Gwen Stefani to steal Ricky and declare “I think I just won The Voice.”
America thought otherwise, because they sent Manning home the following week after a lackluster delivery of Sam Smith’s ‘Lay Me Down.’ Gwen opted to save Ryan Sill (the boy who lived… over and over again) and that was that.
We clawed, we chained, our hearts in vain
We jumped, never asking why
We kissed, I fell under your spell
A love no one could deny
[Pre-Hook]
Don’t you ever say I just walked away
I will always want you
I can’t live a lie, running for my life
I will always want you
[Hook 1]
I came in like a wrecking ball
I never hit so hard in love
All I wanted was to break your walls
All you ever did was wreck me
Yeah you, you wreck me
[Verse 2]
I put you high up in the sky
And now, you’re not coming down
It slowly turned, you let me burn
And now, we’re ashes on the ground
[Pre-Hook & Hook 1]
[Hook 2]
I came in like a wrecking ball
Yeah, I just closed my eyes and swung
Left me crashing in a blazing fall
All you ever did was wreck me
Yeah, you wreck me
[Bridge]
I never meant to start a war
I just wanted you to let me in
And instead of using force
I guess I should’ve let you win
I never meant to start a war
I just wanted you to let me in
I guess I should’ve let you win
[Interlude]
Don’t you ever say I just walked away
I will always want you
[Hook 1 & Hook 2]
Meet Me In Montauk 
Well, the boy who lived died (not literally) last night.
Although this guy was alright, he wasn’t that good. You can’t have too many non descript white guys on the show. Especially now that there are no girls. I wasn’t upset at all when he was kicked off, however I was rather confused with Pharrell when he chose Elijah over him. I have questioned a few of Pharrell’s choices this season. He chose Sugar and Elijah over far more talented artists.
I was a Ricky Manning fan from the start, so this performance just confirmed what I was awaiting all along. I was stunned when Pharrell didn’t choose him and then again when Gwen didn’t save him, a week after declaring that she thought he was her ticket to winning The Voice. Glad you gave Ricky one last chance to shine here today 🙂