The 2025 season of The Voice kicked off with a surprising, show-stealing performance by its four coaches—Michael Bublé, Niall Horan, Reba McEntire, and Snoop Dogg—delivering a rollicking cover of Steve Miller Band’s 1973 classic, “The Joker.” The segment quickly went viral, racking up 3.5 million views in just two weeks, with fans declaring the quartet the best coach lineup in the show’s history due to their palpable chemistry.
The Chemistry That Stole the Show
The performance of “The Joker” was instantly lauded for seamlessly blending the coaches’ distinct musical styles—Jazz, Pop, Country, and Rap—and creating a sense of camaraderie rarely seen on the show:
- Snoop Dogg’s Surprise: The rap icon shocked viewers by leaning into his smooth “gangsta of love” persona, showcasing an unexpected and impressive vocal flair that proved his versatility beyond rap.
- Bublé and McEntire’s Warmth: The interplay between crooner Michael Bublé and the “Queen of Country,” Reba McEntire, provided a seamless, warm foundation that elevated the harmonies.
Niall Horan’s Return to Group Harmony
For former One Direction star Niall Horan, the group performance held particular significance. Since the band’s hiatus in 2016, Horan’s successful solo career has focused on a more folk-pop and soft-rock sound, often built around his acoustic guitar work (as heard in hits like “This Town”).
- The Missing Element: The Voice performance, however, marked his first major return to a high-energy, effortless vocal group setting in years. As one fan noted, the experience allowed him to unleash the “nostalgic joy” and playful energy often associated with his boy band days.
- Vocal Validation: Fans praised his contribution, noting his voice was “underrated” and that he was once again “proving he can sing absolutely anything,” confirming the coaches’ click was largely due to the way “these four bounce off each other.”
The Steve Miller Band classic, which topped the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1974 and enjoyed a UK resurgence in 1990, proved to be the perfect feel-good anthem to showcase this dynamic blend of genres, solidifying the 2025 lineup as one of The Voice‘s most electric panels ever.
