Adam Levine turned his chair early and praised Dakota Cohen’s cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes,” comparing her voice to Miley Cyrus and calling it “instantly something out of the gate.” The moment came during Monday’s (Oct. 5) Season 30 Blind Auditions on The Voice. Cohen, 25, performed the melancholy piano ballad from Black Sabbath’s 1972 album Vol. 4, a song later sung by frontman Ozzy Osbourne. It took most of the song, but Levine and fellow coach Riley Green both turned their chairs by the end.
Queen Latifah called the performance “astounding” and “insane.” Green praised it as the “perfect song choice.” Levine, noting he had pressed his button first, made an aggressive pitch. “The song choice for me says so much,” he said. “That’s instantly something out of the gate; before I even heard you sing a note, I want you on my team.”
Cohen’s Performance
Cohen’s version of “Changes” drew immediate attention. The song is a piano-driven ballad, and Levine’s comparison to Miley Cyrus suggested he heard a distinctive, versatile instrument in her voice. His pitch was direct. He told Cohen, “I just love what you’re out here doing, and I do believe this is your home.” Cohen ultimately chose Team Adam.
The audition also carried personal weight for Cohen. She revealed that her decision was helped along by a chance encounter years earlier, when Levine gave her a thumbs-up after hearing her sing Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning” at a restaurant. That thumbs-up from years ago had clearly stayed with her, and it influenced her decision on the biggest stage of her career.
The Song’s History
“Changes” originally appeared on Black Sabbath’s Vol. 4 in 1972. It became one of the band’s most tender songs, and Ozzy Osbourne later sang it as a solo release. In 2003, Osbourne re-recorded the song as a duet with his daughter Kelly Osbourne, and that version topped the U.K. singles chart.
Ozzy’s Passing
Ozzy Osbourne died in July 2025 at age 76, weeks after Black Sabbath’s farewell concert. In the wake of his death, “Changes” debuted at No. 42 on Billboard‘s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. The timing of Cohen’s cover added poignancy to the performance. A primetime television cover of a tender vocal now felt newly relevant, given the recent loss.
Coach Reactions
Latifah’s “astounding” and “insane” praise set the tone for the night. Green’s “perfect song choice” echoed that sentiment. Both coaches were visibly impressed by Cohen’s performance. Levine’s comparison to Miley Cyrus was notable. He framed it as recognition of Cohen’s versatility, suggesting she could handle pop and rock with equal skill.
The Decision
Cohen’s choice of Team Adam was a clear statement. She picked the coach who had turned first and whose button she had pressed. Levine’s early enthusiasm had clearly paid off. Her admission about the restaurant encounter with Levine added a human element to the story.
What Comes Next
The Voice is currently in its milestone 30th season. Clarkson, Levine, Queen Latifah and Riley Green serve as coaches. The show airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, streaming next day on Peacock. The season is shaping up to be competitive, and Cohen’s “Changes” performance has already made a mark.
Poignancy Factor
The poignancy of the cover was not lost on anyone watching. A primetime television performance of a song most famous as a tribute to a recently departed rock icon naturally carries weight. Cohen’s performance did not need to be a tribute to be moving. It simply needed to be good, and it was. The fact that it arrived in the wake of Osbourne’s death only amplified the emotional resonance.
The Takeaway
Cohen’s performance was a success for several reasons. The song choice was strong, the execution was confident, and the emotional payoff was real. Levine’s enthusiasm was genuine, and his comparison to Miley Cyrus suggested he heard a distinctive, versatile instrument in her voice. For Cohen, the decision to join Team Adam was likely the right one. She got the coach who turned first, and she got the coach who believed in her from the start.
The audition was a strong result for The Voice. A talented young singer delivering a powerful performance is exactly what the show needs to keep audiences engaged.
| Episode | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Auditions | Oct. 5 | 8 p.m. ET |
- The Voice Season 30 airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC
- Streaming is available the next day on Peacock
- Clarkson, Levine, Queen Latifah and Riley Green are the coaches
Source material: “Adam Levine Is Floored by a Black Sabbath Cover on ‘The Voice’,” Billboard.
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