Mr. Sandman

For the video-game character, see Mr. Sandman (Punch-Out!!).

"Mr. Sandman"
"Mr. Sandman record by The Chordettes"
Single by The Chordettes
A-side	"Mr. Sandman'"
B-side	'"I Don't Wanna See You Cryin'"
Released	1954
Format	45rpm 7-inch vinyl single
Recorded	1954
Genre	Traditional pop
Length	2:22
Label	Cadence Records
Writer(s)	Pat Ballard ("Mr. Sandman"); Stock-West ("I Don't Wanna See You Cryin'")
Producer	Archie Bleyer
The Chordettes singles chronology
"Mr. Sandman" (1954) "The Wedding" (1956)

"Mr. Sandman" (sometimes rendered as "Mister Sandman") is a popular song written by Pat Ballard which was published in 1954 and first recorded in that year by The Chordettes. The song's lyrics convey a request to "Mr. Sandman" to "bring me a dream", the word "dream" ambiguously referring to a real significant other as well as to a sleeping dream — the traditional association with the folkloric figure, the sandman. The pronoun used to refer to the desired dream is often changed depending on the sex of the singer or group performing the song. Some time later, Ballard also rewrote the lyrics for Christmas use as "Mr. Santa". The chord progression in the chorus follows the circle of fourths for six chords in a row.

Recorded versions

The Chordettes recording of the song was released on the Cadence Records label whose founder, Archie Bleyer, is credited on the disc's label as "knees played by" and orchestra conductor. Bleyer's voice is heard in the third verse, when he says the word "Yes?" The piano is played by Moe Wechsler. Liberace's name is mentioned for his "Wavy Hair". The single reached #1 on the Billboard United States charts and #11 on the United Kingdom charts in 1954. In November 1954, The Four Aces released a version that charted even higher in the UK, reaching #9 and in the same year a version by Max Bygraves reached #16 on the UK charts. However the most successful recording of the song in the UK was by Dickie Valentine which peaked at #5. On the Cash Box magazine charts in the US, where all versions were combined, the song also reached #1.

There are numerous recorded versions of the song including versions by Chet Atkins, Mocedades, Blue Diamonds, Marvin Gaye, Gob, Jose Melis, The Chipmunks, The Supremes, The Andrews Sisters, The Puppini Sisters, Linda McCartney, and The Fleetwoods.

Joe Loss and his Orchestra recorded it in London on November 1, 1954. The tune was released by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number BD 6184. Vaughn Monroe with Orchestra recorded it in 1954 which was released as a single on RCA Victor label as catalog number 47-5767.

It has featured in a number of TV and film soundtracks including The Simpsons, Futurama, Halloween, Back to the Future, Mr. Nobody, Nip/Tuck, Philadelphia, Planet 51, Uncle Buck, I Saw what You Did, and several of the Halloween films. A version by the band Oranger also featured as an intro song and later on a cutscene in the video game Stubbs the Zombie - Rebel without a Pulse and can also be heard in the 2010 video game Mafia II.

The "Mr. Santa" version has been recorded by Shari Lewis (on the 1965 Musicor single MU 1140), Lenny Dee, Amy Grant, and Suzy Bogguss, among others.

Mr. Sandman was also famously sung as a lullaby on The Golden Girls in the season five episode "Not Another Monday" when Dorothy, Rose, and Blanche are trying to help a newborn; Francis Lilistrand, fall asleep.

Emmylou Harris version

"Mister Sandman"
Single by Emmylou Harris
from the album Evangeline
Released	1981
Genre	Country
Length	2:20
Label	Warner Bros.
Producer	Brian Ahern
Emmylou Harris singles chronology
"The Boxer" (1980) "Mister Sandman" (1981) "I Don't Have to Crawl" (1981)

In 1978, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt recorded a version of the song. The song was released by Harris as a single in 1981, under the title "Mister Sandman", for which she re-recorded all three vocal parts herself as neither Parton's nor Ronstadt's record companies would allow their artists' vocals on the single. Harris also included her version on her album.

Chart performance

Chart (1981)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	37
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles	10
Canadian RPM Top Singles	42
Canadian RPM Country Tracks	1
Dutch Top 40	9
New Zealand Singles Chart	16

Blind Guardian version

"Mr. Sandman"
Single by Blind Guardian
from the album The Forgotten Tales
Released	February 7, 1996
Recorded	Sweet Silence Studios
Genre	Power metal
Length	2:12
Label	Virgin
Producer	Flemming Rasmussen
Blind Guardian singles chronology
"Bright Eyes" (1995) "Mr. Sandman" (1996) "Mirror Mirror" (1998)

In 1996, German power metal band Blind Guardian released a single with a cover version of "Mr. Sandman." While the song starts in a similar mood to the original, it becomes increasingly aggressive, introducing heavy metal guitars in the second verse and a double bass drum in the third.

Track listing

1. "Mr. Sandman" – 2:12
2. "Bright Eyes" (Edited Version) – 4:04
3. "Hallelujah" – 3:18
4. "Imaginations from the Other Side" (Demo Version) – 7:14
5. "The Script for My Requiem" (Demo Version) – 7:01

Lineup

• Hansi Kürsch – vocals and bass
• André Olbrich – lead guitar
• Marcus Siepen – rhythm guitar
• Thomen Stauch – drums

Preceded by "A Headache Tomorrow (Or a Heartache Tonight)" by Mickey Gilley

RPM Country Tracks number-one single (Emmylou Harris version) May 16-May 23, 1981

Succeeded by "Am I Losing You" by Ronnie Milsap

External links

• Mr. Sandman at Allmusic
• discogs.com The Chordettes on discogs.com, a community-built database of music information.