Courtney Hadwin, when stepping onto America’s Got Talent finale in 2018, took the stage with the aim of delivering an electrifying performance. Her powerhouse rendition of River Deep, Mountain High has cemented itself as one of Got Talent’s best performances. Her raw energy matches perfectly with her raspy vocals – she is not just any other contestant; she is a rock star in the making!
A whirlwind of passion was her performance, as she channeled classic rock with every note in her explosive, wild, and free performance, where her expressive movements gave her stage presence an altogether explosive energy, commanding the song’s highs and lows. She lived the song.
Courtney Hadwin “River Deep Mountain High” STAR IN THE MAKING | America’s Got Talent 2018 Finale AGT
When Tina Turner recorded the song in 1966, it was already considered excellent – today, it is hailed as one of the best vocal performances in music history, owing to its dramatic build-up and emotionally charged chorus. Instrumentation is also rich, featuring an orchestral wall of sound; the song was not a significant hit in the U.S. at first but gradually gained legendary status, placing Tina Turner as the Queen of Rock’n’Roll.
Lyrically, the song is a declaration. It compares deep emotions with some of nature’s grandest forces. However, Tina adds intensity with her vocal delivery, which makes the song entirely unforgettable, as was the Tina Turner signature, noticeable also in this performance of Proud Mary:
Tina Turner – Proud Mary (Live from Arnhem, Netherlands)
Hadwin’s fearless take on this timeless classic of rock’n’roll proves that the spirit of rock is alive and well in the new generation and that the authenticity, power, and rawness required to deliver it truly is one that Got Talent has had the luck to have been blessed with.
Follow Courtney Hadwin on social media to see where her rock-fueled journey takes her next!