For the critical top 10 singing competition on NBC's "The Voice" Nov. 30, two of the 10 contestants chose religious-based songs to win the hearts of viewers, as well as to try to propel themselves to the top of the current iTunes chart.
Shelby Brown, a 17-year-old contestant from Elberta, Ala., sang "Go Rest High on that Mountain," a eulogic ballad written and recorded by American country artist Vince Gill.
Brown said the song held special meaning to her because it was sung at her grandfather's funeral. Gill released the song in August 1995, and it won CMA's Song of the Year award in 1996.
The song's chorus resonates with many people:
"Go rest high on that mountain
Son your work on earth is done
Go to Heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son"
The Voice coach Pharrell Williams told Brown, "You connected to the intention of this song. It was easily your best moment on the show."
For a second time during this year's competition, contestant Jordan Smith demonstrated his commitment to faith by choosing to sing Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah," which is widely known to be a song about praise to God. Smith, a Kentucky resident, previously topped the iTune charts in November, as reported by The Gospel Herald, when he performed "Great is Thy Faithfulness."
Williams called Smith's rendition "touching," and Voice coach Blake Shelton said it was "incredible and over-the-top."
However it was Smith's coach Adam Levine that provided the best, overall reaction, saying he got chills, and that what Smith is doing is important. "You lift people," he said.
"Every single time I hear you sing, it's an experience. You lift me!"
One Voice fan on Facebook, Lynn Cowan, posted: "The Voice tonight, all I can day is amen...very emotional night for me. I love this show."
This year is season 9 of The Voice. Within the first hour after Monday's show aired, Smith's rendition of "Hallelujah," shot to No. 2 on the iTune charts, topped only by Adele's new song, "Hello." Brown's "Go Rest High" was at No. 13 on the same chart.
