Even though school may be out for the summer, Sir Elton John himself is giving a group of students high marks for an outstanding performance of one of his songs.
Back in March, music instructor Ben Millington and his students from Telford Priory School in England performed their own version of John’s hit “I’m Still Standing” and posted it to YouTube. Filmed in isolation, the video featured each of the students performing their section of the song while Millington offered accompaniment on the piano, guitar, drums and more.
This week, John himself finally got to watch the video, and he loved it. “The students in Mr. Millington’s music class at @telfordpriory did a brilliant version of my song, #ImStillStanding,” he tweeted. “Ben, you did a fantastic job and I look forward to having you all as guests at my show.”
But that wasn’t all. John also decided to send a special video message to Millington and his students, thanking them for their cover. “I was completely blown away — in fact, I watched it three times in a row because I couldn’t believe how good you sang and played it,” he said as video clips of the students reacting surrounded him. “I hope you all have a great career and music plays a big part in it, because you have certainly got talent.”
Check out the Telford Priory Students’ cover of “I’m Still Standing,” along with John’s reaction, below:
