By Ali Ikhwan 
The stage of NBC’s The Voice is no stranger to ambitious song choices, but rarely does a contestant dare to tackle the melancholic weight of Black Sabbath’s 1972 piano ballad, “Changes.” Yet, during the most recent episode of the show’s milestone 30th season, 25-year-old Dakota Cohen managed to do exactly that, turning the iconic track into a moment of pure, raw vulnerability that sent shockwaves through the coaching panel and left the studio audience spellbound.
The performance, which aired on Monday, Oct. 5, was more than just a musical audition; it was a testament to the enduring legacy of Ozzy Osbourne and a showcase for a new talent capable of balancing grit with grace. By the time the final notes echoed through the soundstage, it was clear that Cohen had arrived, setting a high bar for the remainder of the Blind Auditions.
The Performance: A Bold Reinterpretation
Dakota Cohen’s decision to perform “Changes” was inherently risky. Originally appearing on Black Sabbath’s Vol. 4 album, the song is a departure from the heavy metal roots of the band, favoring a stripped-back, piano-driven arrangement that focuses on the fragility of the human voice.
As Cohen began her rendition, the room grew uncharacteristically still. Her approach was not one of imitation, but of profound interpretation. She leaned into the song’s central themes—loss, regret, and the inevitable passage of time—delivering a vocal performance that was both haunting and technically precise. While the first half of the song saw the coaches listening intently, the building intensity of her delivery eventually forced the hands of Adam Levine and Riley Green, both of whom hit their buttons in the final moments of the track.
Chronology of a Breakthrough
The audition followed a carefully structured arc that heightened the drama for the viewer.
- The Preparation: Prior to the episode, speculation had been building regarding the Season 30 talent pool. Cohen’s appearance was highly anticipated by those familiar with her grassroots music career.
- The Blind Audition: As the performance unfolded, Queen Latifah was the first to vocalize her awe, describing the performance as “astounding” and “insane.” The tension in the room was palpable as the song approached its conclusion.
- The Coaches’ Pivot: Adam Levine, who later revealed he was the first to decide to turn, waited for the perfect moment to commit. Riley Green followed suit, creating a two-chair turn scenario that pitted the veteran coach against the rising country star.
- The Selection: After a flurry of persuasive arguments from the coaches, Cohen ultimately chose Team Adam, effectively aligning herself with one of the most successful mentors in the show’s history.
Supporting Data and Historical Context
The impact of Cohen’s performance cannot be separated from the recent, somber history surrounding the song itself. “Changes” has always been a fan favorite, but its cultural resonance peaked in 2003 when Ozzy Osbourne re-recorded it as a duet with his daughter, Kelly Osbourne. That version achieved massive success, topping the U.K. singles chart and introducing the song to a new generation.
The emotional gravity of the song was further amplified by the passing of Ozzy Osbourne in July 2025 at the age of 76. Following his death—which occurred just weeks after the conclusion of Black Sabbath’s farewell tour—the song experienced a massive resurgence. It debuted at No. 42 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, signaling that the public’s appetite for the song remained as strong as ever.
For Cohen to choose a song that had so recently served as a national anthem of grief and reflection was a bold, if not risky, maneuver. It required her to bridge the gap between rock nostalgia and modern pop sensibilities, a challenge that few contestants are equipped to handle.
Coaches’ Perspectives: The Pitch for Team Adam
The post-performance feedback session provided a glimpse into how the coaches perceive the evolving landscape of The Voice. Adam Levine, in particular, was effusive in his praise.
“The song choice for me says so much,” Levine remarked to Cohen. “That’s instantly something out of the gate; before I even heard you sing a note, I want you on my team.”
Levine’s pitch was highly personalized. He compared the texture of Cohen’s voice to that of Miley Cyrus—an artist known for her versatility and ability to pivot between genres—before delivering a final, welcoming sentiment: “I just love what you’re out here doing, and I do believe this is your home.”
The chemistry between Cohen and Levine appears to be rooted in a serendipitous past. During the audition, it was revealed that the two had met years earlier in a restaurant, where Cohen performed a rendition of Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning.” The fact that Levine remembered giving her a thumbs-up during that chance encounter added a layer of destiny to her choice of team. It was a narrative beat that reinforced the idea that Cohen was meant to end up on this specific stage.
The Implications for Season 30
As The Voice moves deeper into its 30th season, the success of Dakota Cohen’s audition serves as a bellwether for the competition’s direction. With a coaching panel consisting of Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine, Queen Latifah, and Riley Green, the show is currently balancing veteran wisdom with fresh, diverse perspectives.
The implication for other contestants is clear: technical proficiency is no longer enough to secure a chair turn. The coaches are looking for "storytellers"—performers who can take a legacy song and reframe it through their own lived experience. Cohen’s success with “Changes” proves that there is a significant reward for those willing to take risks with their repertoire.
Furthermore, the focus on legacy artists like Black Sabbath highlights a growing trend in televised singing competitions. By leaning into the catalogs of rock icons who have recently passed, the show is tapping into a collective cultural memory, allowing contestants to participate in the mourning and celebration of music history.
Looking Ahead
With the Blind Auditions continuing, the focus now shifts to the Battle Rounds. For Cohen, the pressure is only beginning. She has already established herself as a frontrunner, but the competition is stiff. The ability to maintain the level of intimacy she displayed with “Changes” in a high-stakes, head-to-head performance will be the true test of her longevity in the competition.
Fans of the show can tune in on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC to see how the rest of the teams shape up. For those who miss the live broadcast, episodes remain available for streaming on Peacock the following day.
As for Dakota Cohen, she has already achieved the ultimate goal of any contestant on The Voice: she has made the audience, and the coaches, listen. By honoring a rock classic while asserting her own unique vocal identity, she has secured her place as one of the most compelling narratives of Season 30. Whether she can ride this momentum to the finals remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: she has officially made the stage her home.
The stage is set, the talent is rising, and the 30th season of The Voice is proving to be a landmark chapter in the series’ long history. Through performances like Cohen’s, the show continues to prove that even the oldest songs can find new life when placed in the hands of the right artist.
Laily UPN 
Neng Nana 