Mr. Sandman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| “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 | Pop, vocal | |
| Length | 2:22 | |
| Label | Cadence Records | |
| Writer(s) | Pat Ballard ("Mr. Sandman"); Stock-West ("I Don't Wanna See You Cryin'") | |
| Producer | Archie Bleyer | |
"Mr. Sandman" (also known 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 gender of the singer or group performing the song. Some time later, Ballard also rewrote the lyrics for Christmas use as "Mr. Santa", though this version is rarely heard today. The song has an interesting music theoretical aspect, as the chord progression in the chorus follows the circle of fifths for six chords in a row.
[edit] 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. The single reached #1 on the Billboard United States charts and #11 on the United Kingdom charts in 1954. In 1955 The Four Aces recorded 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. On the Cash Box magazine charts in the US, where all versions were combined, the song also reached #1.
In 1978 Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt recorded a version for a planned trio album that was never completed. The song was released by Harris as a single in 1981 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 Evangeline. There are numerous recorded versions of the song[1] including versions by Chet Atkins, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes,The Puppini Sisters and Blind Guardian and it has featured in a number of TV and film soundtracks including The Simpsons[2], Back to the Future and several of the Halloween films.
[edit] References
- ^ allmusic.com "Mr. Sandman". Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
- ^ The Simpsons Archive - Music Featured on the Simpsons. Retrieved on 2008-03-30.
[edit] External links
- allmusic.com "Mr. Sandman" on allmusic.com
- discogs.com The Chordettes on discogs.com, a community-built database of music information.
- lyricsplayground.com song lyric
| Preceded by I Need You Now |
Cash Box magazine best selling record chart #1 record December 4, 1954–December 11, 1954 |
Succeeded by Let Me Go, Lover! |
| Preceded by Let Me Go, Lover! |
Cash Box magazine best selling record chart #1 record December 25, 1954–January 1, 1955 |
Succeeded by Let Me Go, Lover! |
| Preceded by Let Me Go, Lover! |
Cash Box magazine best selling record chart #1 record January 15, 1955–January 29, 1955 |
Succeeded by Melody of Love |
