Some songs from decades past have been creatively reimagined with great success, to the point where cover artists create the definitive version. But there are some tracks that simply achieved perfection. One such contender is “How Deep Is Your Love” by the Bee Gees, which a recent The Voice contestant performed with some changes judge Reba McEntire did not approve of.
“How Deep Is Your Love” is a pop ballad the Bee Gees recorded in 1977 that made it onto Rolling Stone‘s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It was released as a single in September of that year and used in Saturday Night Fever, starring John Travolta. Bee Gees singer Barry Gibb considers it his favorite the band ever produced; it’s certainly one McEntire was disappointed to see altered on stage.
Reba McEntire warned ‘The Voice’ contestants about changing ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ by the Bee Gees
Tuesday’s episode of The Voice saw McEntire arguing against the artists making any dramatic changes to “How Deep Is Your Love.” The track was prefaced as “one of the most iconic and beautifully written songs of all time,” and during rehearsals, contestant Mac Royals put his own spin on the song. The Battle Rounds continued, pairing him with McEntire’s other team member, Rachele Ngyuen. Royals came out with a different interpretation of the song to “give the people a little of what we do and what we like.”
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However, McEntire was adamantly against changing anything in the Bee Gees track. “Mac, I didn’t think you were hearing the beat. You kind of went in a different direction on it,” McEntire said afterward. “The reason we pick the songs we do is because of familiarity. … [Fans] want something they can sing along to. When you’re singing a song that is so well-known as ‘How Deep Is Your Love,’ you need to stay with the melody [viewers] remember, so [they] can sing with you and be a part of the show.”
When it came time for the actual performance, McEntire’s mood didn’t improve.
McEntire had to repeat her instructions after the performance and defend preserving the Bee Gees song
Upon hearing McEntire’s initial feedback, Royals had nodded in understanding, and Ngyuen indicated she agreed too. During their actual performance, however, Royals continued at a different beat in a way that put his own spin on the song. After, McEntire responded, “Mac, I still wish we could have stayed with the Bee Gees’ version of the opening because that kind of threw me again — as it did in our rehearsals.”
Ultimately, McEntire chose the younger Ngyuen to proceed to the next round. This was just the opening judge John Legend needed to hit the Steal button and recruit Royals to his team. “You have the kind of voice I love to listen to,” Legend praised, “right in my wheelhouse.”
On YouTube, viewers generally favor Royals over McEntire in this debate. One commenter gushed, “I’m with John [Legend] on this one. Mac’s voice… He needs to have a record as of yesterday!” Another praised, “This battle was awesome! Rachele really improved a bit and looks and sounds like a pop princess but Mac has that beautiful, warm, welcoming, smooth, inviting, and buttery tone that I love.”
Yet another theorized that McEntire knew Royals would be stolen anyway and she wanted to help lift up Ngyuen, so it would ultimately be a win-win for everyone. What do you think?
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