VOICE TOP 5: Ruby Leigh Brings Powerhouse Vocals To The Eagles’ “Desperado”
on Dec 18, 2023
Ruby Leigh may be the youngest Voice contestant still in the competition, but the stage presence and talent that belies her age may just be enough to earn her the Season 24 trophy.
On Monday night, during the first of two season finale episodes, 16-year-old Ruby Leigh delivered two incredible performances. The Top 5 finalists were tasked with performing an uptempo tune and a ballad. Ruby’s first song of the night was a bold rendition of Elvis Presley’s 1968 hit “Suspicious Minds.”
Her second was a pitch-perfect cover of “Desperado.” The soft rock song was penned by Glenn Frey and Don Henley in 1972. It appeared on the Eagles’ album as the project’s title track a year later. “Desperado” was never released as a single, but is arguably one of the band’s most recognizable and loved songs.
The song has been covered by other notable artists such as Clint Black and Linda Ronstadt. In 2015, Miranda Lambert performed “Desperado” at the Kennedy Center Honors as a tribute to The Eagles.
As soon as Ruby Leigh began singing the familiar opening line of the song Monday night, fans knew they were in for a treat. The power of her voice and keen musical ear were evident in every note.
Ruby’s talent was obvious months ago when she earned a four-chair turn with her performance of Patsy Montana’s “I Want To Be A Cowboy’s Sweeheart” during The Voice‘s Blind Audition. Every coach recognized then that this teen was going to have an incredible Voice journey.
“The energy is just insane. You got four chairs for a reason….The control and power that you’ve got at 16 is just insane. You’re really exciting and I would obviously love for you to be on my team,” coach Niall Horan said at the time.
Ruby’s own coach, Reba McEntire, agreed and has chosen the singer to advance through round after round. And America’s love for Ruby became evident when they voted her through when the show’s episodes went live.
Joining Ruby Leigh in the Top 5 are Huntley and Mara Justine from Team Niall, Lila Ford of Team Legend, and Ruby’s fellow Team Reba member Jacquie Roar.
Will her performance of “Desperado” be enough to earn her this season’s Voice title? Watch the performance below, vote for your favorite finalist HERE, then tune in Tuesday night (December 19) to see who will take home the Voice crown.
