This 'Sleigh Bells Ring' Drake Parody Sung By Chicago Kids Wins Christmas
AUBURN GRESHAM — By Ariel Cheung | December 24, 2015 7:33am @arielfab
Toss out your lyrics to "Walking in a Winter Wonderland," because after hearing this, you'll never need them again.
Third-grade students at Gresham School of Excellence sang a very special Christmas song during their holiday assembly last week, and it would make Drake very proud.
Drake's single "Hotline Bling" has been a favorite for the students this year — far more popular than the traditional holiday songs, said teacher Breonna Scott.
"No one wanted to sing 'Rudolph,' and I really wanted to come up with something creative I knew they would like," Scott told DNAinfo Chicago. The idea to write a Christmas version of the song struck her while singing the hit song in her car, and Scott, 25, was able to write up the parody lyrics during a classroom break, she said.
As soon as students recognized the melody, "they didn't even want to hear the other song [options]," Scott said.
"Hotline Bling" dropped in July, but it wasn't until Drake released the music video in October that the song went viral. His shake and shimmy inside the technicolor light box was adored for its awkwardness, and everyone from Donald Trump on "Saturday Night Live" to Stephanie Tanner offered up their own interpretations.
But none of them come close to the epicness that is "Sleigh Bells Ring," with festive Santa-approved lyrics such as, "Ever since he left the North Pole you / Started cleaning up around the house more / Doing chores without them being asked for / Hanging with the nice kids he has seen before."
Surprisingly, the masterpiece took mere minutes to compose, and even less time for the students to learn, Scott said.
The teacher, who lives in Lakeview, said the song also provided an opportunity to discuss how good actions can lead to good rewards — especially during the holiday season.
And it seems to have paid off; Scott said some students have been skipping recess to help her clean up the classroom or coming in early to help her prepare with tasks like sharpening pencils.
"As a younger teacher, we've been struggling with that relationship of, 'Oh, she's cool, but she also expects a lot from us,'" Scott said. "And I feel that this helped build a stronger relationship with them."
Now Scott just hopes the Christmas magic lasts into the New Year.
Check out the lyrics below and sing along (we know you know the tune):
I know when those sleigh bells ring,
That can only mean one thing.
I know when those sleigh bells ring,
That can only mean one thing.
Ever since he left the North Pole you
Got a reputation on the good list.
Everybody knows and they feel left out.
Santa's gonna be so very proud.
Ever since he left the North Pole you
Started cleaning up around the house more,
Doing chores without them being asked for.
Hanging with the nice kids he has seen before.
Santa's coming on his sleigh, hey
Late night on Christmas Eve.
Coming on his sleigh, hey.
Late night on Christmas Eve.
I know when those sleigh bells ring,
That can only mean one thing.
I know when those sleigh bells ring,
That can only mean one thing:
Presents underneath the Christmas tree!