It took just five words. That’s all Charly Luske needed to shock the judges on The Voice of Holland. He stepped on stage, started singing “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown, and within seconds—every single judge had turned their chair. It was fast. It was powerful. And it felt like something big had just happened.
The way Charly sang was different. He didn’t just hit the notes—he felt them. You could hear every emotion in his voice—the pain, the confidence, the soul. It wasn’t imitation; it was interpretation. People watching at home said they got chills. Even if you didn’t know the song, you felt something when he sang it.
Charly wasn’t a total newcomer. Born in Amsterdam in 1978, he had already built a solid career in the Netherlands as a singer and actor, appearing in musicals like Les Misérables and We Will Rock You, and TV shows such as GTST. But this was different. The Voice of Holland gave him a worldwide audience—and a chance to prove that his talent could stand beside the greats.
What made this audition unforgettable wasn’t just how fast the judges turned. It was the electricity in the room. You could see it on their faces—the shock, the excitement, the respect. One coach leaned forward, eyes wide, completely lost in the performance. Backstage, Charly’s family watched through tears, overwhelmed with pride. They knew, in that instant, that everything was about to change.
The video of his performance quickly exploded online. Within days, it had millions of views—and even more than a decade later, it’s still spreading across YouTube and social media. Even with its grainy, pre-HD quality, the magic is undeniable. There’s something timeless about this song—every time someone performs “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World,” it seems to ignite the same reaction: instant goosebumps, standing ovations, and judges racing to hit their buttons.
Over the years, several artists have taken on this legendary James Brown classic and created unforgettable TV moments. Fans still talk about Jimi Bellmartin, the 69-year-old soul singer whose emotional performance became one of the defining moments of The Voice of Holland, and Karise Eden on The Voice Australia, who made all four judges turn their chairs within seconds. The song seems to carry a kind of magic—raw, emotional, and larger than life.
It’s even become a running joke among fans: “This is a Man’s World.” Judges: PASSWORD ACCEPTED. Because when a singer truly connects with this song, it’s almost guaranteed to be a show-stopping moment.
Although Charly didn’t go on to win the season, his audition remains one of the most iconic moments in The Voice of Holland history. It turned him into an international name and reminded everyone that real talent doesn’t need special effects—just a microphone and a song.
Since that life-changing audition, Charly has continued to perform across Europe, record music, and inspire young singers who dream of their own big moment. He’s proof that sometimes, you don’t need a long introduction or a big story.
Sometimes, it only takes a few seconds to change everything.
For Charly Luske, it took just five words to leave a mark on the world.