Overrated | The Voice France / MIKA & OC

1.3 - Blind Auditions. Performance

The hall is completely silent. It's so quiet that I can hear the rustle of my shoes on the shiny black stage and my convulsive breath. The pounding in my temples is deafening. The spotlight is too bright. The air is too hot to breathe. I'm immediately thrown into a fever. 

I go straight to the piano, clearly feeling that hundreds of eyes are watching my every move. I think that if stumble, it will be a disaster, and follow every step as if my life depends on it. 

One brief glance at the coaches. He wears white tonight. I can only see his hand on the arm of his red chair, but he's real, he's here, a dozen meters away from me.  This gives me strength - but also increases the fear. 

I sit down at the piano. My hands are shaking, my heart is about to break my ribs, the adrenaline is burning my stomach. Seems to me, a little more stress, and I will just fall into pieces. 

The faster I start, the faster it all will pass - I decide. I quickly squeeze my hands into fists, then put fingers on the keys. 

The first chord is like a push from the roof. I fall, and there's no way back. 

A short introduction. My hands play it almost automatically. I think Mika will immediately recognize the song.

My voice sounds weak and shaky. 

Would you hate me if I stuttered? 

Would you make me walk out of the door? 

Are you worried to discover 

All the things about me you don't know? ... 

I feel like I'm looking at myself from the outside, a strange mist envelops my thoughts. Everything seems unreal. 

Keep me ... 

Keep me ... 

Keep me ... 

Now keep me ... 

And then I realize that I just can't sing the chorus. I'm not ready. I will mess up if I dive into it now.

So I begin the second verse to buy me some time.

...Undiscovered

Can't you see my life 

as something more, 

and paint me 

in a color 

you swear you've never seen before...

It works. By the chorus worry fades into the background, I'm a bit already accustomed, focused and confident: 

Overrated, overrated 

I'm jaded in this god damned world. 

High notes for me are not that difficult, in the end, I learned to sing with Mika. I also know how to scream. So thr important thing now is what I try to say with this song - it's a dedication, a confession. I try as best I could to overcome monstrous disturbance and put all the emotions in the chorus, to show what I can, that I deserve their attention. I thought that went well. But when I look in the direction of coaches, I still see four red seatbacks. 

Not good enough. 

There is no place in their teams for me, what can I do. Looks like I overestimated myself. Overrated, huh...

Besides, I knew that I've chosen the wrong song. To impress Mika, I had to sing Heroes or The Origin Of Love. To really show what I can do, I needed a song by Fall Out Boy. Why have I chosen Overrated? 

I feel the frustration coming, so I fully focus on the song and decide not to look at them. All in all, it's one of my favorite songs, so simple and clear, and therefore extremely sensual:

In this state of grace, 

in this perfect place 

where you see me 

in unreality

I close my eyes and imagine that I'm playing at home, looking into the eyes of the poster Mika, and there's no one else around. I cry to him about my love, I scream that I'm grateful for everything and demand nothing in return. 

Please hear me, take me, 

keep me, and lead me 

Overrated, overrated 

I'm jaded in this God damn world 

I play and sing, enjoying the song, and even feel a bit sad when it ends. 

Overrated, overrated 

long enough to keep me. 

I'm awakened by the familiar sound of "Pshsh", indicating that one of the coaches pushed the button. I hear the roar of the audience. Having played the last chords, I finally open my eyes and see that the audience one by one rise from their seats. I read the recognition on their faces. They thought I was worthy. Unable to keep the joyous laughter, I look around.

And, having tracked the white lines on the stage, I see a glowing inscription "JE VOUS VEUX" - "I WANT YOU".

I look up at the coach who have chosen me...