The Voice: “I Hate This Country”
by Bob Schwartz
Adam Levine is a popular musical artist with Maroon 5 and a coach on NBC’s singing competition The Voice.
Last night was an elimination round for two of the remaining eight contestants. Each of the four coaches (including Shakira, Usher and Blake Shelton) has members of their respective teams in the competition.
After the typical tense triage, three contestants remained. Only one would survive. Of those, two were from Team Adam, and one was a talented singer named Judith Hill. She may not have been destined to win, but she was a solid performer who had already had a career as a backup singer for Michael Jackson, and might yet get a chance on her own. The two other singers remaining were not in her league.
The camera was on those three as host Carson Daly pronounced the obligatory nail-biting “America has voted” spiel. In the background, you could hear a simple comment from Coach Adam, as he likely sensed that the most worthy of the three was about to be eliminated:
“I hate this country.”
Meaning, one presumes: I hate these stupid popularity contests, even one that I am a part of, where merit matters less than the judgment of numbers and the crowd. I don’t hate America, but I hate it when America speaks like this.
And then, Judith Hill was gone.
Every one of the artist-coaches has built a successful career, and knows that entertainment, like every other field, is not entirely a meritocracy. Still, even accounting for differences in taste, a few minutes of singing can reveal those with consistent control, those who can find and hit all the notes, those who can put power and style in what they sing—and those who can’t.
So Adam, and everybody else who gets frustrated by singing competitions that don’t always give us the best, or political systems that don’t either, embrace your frustration. At least it means that you haven’t given up, that you still have standards, that you still have hope and expectations that the competitions and elections will give us winners who really can sing—even if we lose some worthy ones along the way.
Bob Schwartz 
Judith is my fave. She was SOOOOO much better than the others. I was frustrated right along with Adam. I want ADAM to read your blog! How do we send it to him. I understand that kids are mostly the ones who vote. I have also heard that people from the South vote more and that is why country musicians get so many votes. . .
And, as you said, when there are not factored in judges votes, or at least experts who don’t have a vested interest in the outcome, things like this happen. I hope Usher or someone in Judith’s field picks her up and gives her the break she deserves. She is fabulous and I WILL PAY TO HEAR HER in concert. She is a diva.
I only heard about this and didn’t actually see it. I suppose I could see it on YouTube. I am not going to, though. While I do believe he probably really only misspoke, he needs to realize he has that high-paying job is because of America. Adam Levine is talented, but he also seems somewhat spoiled and too full of himself. This is part of the reason I have mixed feelings about liking his music. I appreciate people who appreciate those who help them achieve their success. Be upset for the person whose dream was dashed and console them. Don’t utter statements that take away from that person’s moment, whether it is good or bad. Maybe Adam should have played group sports as a kid…sportsmanship in life is important.
I am sure he spoke without thinking…..
I wish I never did that. DUH
The problem with it is that he did it on national television.
There are several ramifications here – none of them good for Adam. One problem is the fact that he DOES have one person remaining in the competition and instead of rejoicing for her success, he complained about the fact that two others were not successful at going on in the competition. His comment may possibly hurt her chances.
SO, bottom line: when Adam or anyone makes comments like that there is BACK LASH. Back lash hurts just as much as front lash…. :) often more. Weird sentence, weird words.
I agreed that Judith Hill should not have been voted off. However, no one where I work liked her. I have asked why. . . they have a variety of reasons… all valid to them.
Perspective….. We can never assume that others see situations as we do. It always gets us in trouble.
I am sure the people who voted all had their reasons and they felt strongly enough about them TO VOTE. I didn’t. So, I really have no right to complain.
Just as in any elections, I feel that when I don’t vote, I should keep my mouth shut about the results.
Adam, on the other hand, was, I’m sure, shocked, surprised and hurt. AND, guess what – the reason we misspeak doesn’t change the damage we do when we speak without thinking.