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Mr. Sandman

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Wikipedia article




recorded the first version of the song with his orchestra in May 1954.

"'Mr. Sandman'" (or "'Mister Sandman'") is a popular song written by Pat Ballard and published in 1954. It was first recorded in May of that year by Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra and later that year by the Chordettes and the Four Aces. The song's lyrics convey a request to "Mr. Sandman" to "bring me a 'dream'"  the traditional association of the folkloric figure (but in this context the meaning of 'dream' is more akin to 'dreamboat'). The pronoun used to refer to the desired dream is often changed depending on the sex of the singer or group performing the song, as the original sheet music publication, which includes male and female versions of the lyrics, intended.Ballard, Pat (1954). "Mister Sandman" [sheet music], Edwin H. Morris & Company, Inc., 35 West 51st St., New York, NY.

Emmylou Harris' recording of the song was a hit in multiple countries in 1981. Other versions of the song have been produced by Chet Atkins (1954) and Bert Kaempfert (1968).

Background



Vaughn Monroe, with his orchestra, was the first to record the song in 1954.Sullivan, Steve (2017). '[https://books.google.com/books?id=GQglDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA261#v=onepage&q&f=false Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings, Volume 3]', Rowman & Littlefield. p. 261. Retrieved May 6, 2018. It was released as the B-side of "They Were Doin' the Mambo","[https://books.google.com/books?id=4h4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38#v=onepage&q&f=false Reviews of New Pop Records]", 'Billboard', June 19, 1954. p. 38. Retrieved May 6, 2018. on RCA Victor label as catalog number 20-5767 / 47-5767.

In December 1954, the song reached No. 1 on the 'Cash Box' Top 50, in a tandem ranking of the versions by the Chordettes, the Four Aces, Buddy Morrow, Vaughn Monroe, Les Elgart, the Lancers, and the Song Singers, with the Chordettes and the Four Aces' versions marked as bestsellers."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/50s/1954/CB-1954-12-11.pdf The Cash Box Top 50]", 'Cash Box', December 11, 1954. p. 26. Retrieved May 2, 2018. It also reached No. 1 on 'Cash Box's chart of "The Nation's Top Ten Juke Box Tunes", in the same tandem ranking,"[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/50s/1954/CB-1954-12-25.pdf The Nation's Top Ten Juke Box Tunes]", 'Cash Box', December 25, 1954. p. 4. Retrieved May 3, 2018. and No. 1 on 'Cash Box's chart of "The Ten Records Disk Jockeys Played Most This Week", with only the Chordettes version listed initially,"[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/50s/1954/CB-1954-12-04.pdf The Ten Records Disk Jockeys Played Most This Week]", 'Cash Box', December 4, 1954. p. 14. Retrieved May 3, 2018. but later in a tandem ranking of the Chordettes and the Four Aces' versions."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/50s/1954/CB-1954-12-18.pdf The Ten Records Disk Jockeys Played Most This Week]", 'Cash Box', December 25, 1954. p. 12. Retrieved May 3, 2018.

The song also reached No. 1 on 'Billboard's "Honor Roll of Hits", with the Chordettes and the Four Aces' versions listed as best sellers,"[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1954/Billboard%201954-12-04.pdf Honor Roll of Hits]", 'Billboard', December 4, 1954. p. 34. Retrieved May 7, 2018. and was ranked No. 12 on 'Billboard's ranking of "1955's Top Tunes" based on the Honor Roll of Hits."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1955/Billboard%201955-12-31.pdf 1955's Top Tunes based on the Honor Roll of Hits]", 'Billboard', December 31, 1955. p. 29. Retrieved May 7, 2018.

The Chordettes version



The Chordettes' recording of the song was released on the Cadence Records label on both 78 RPM and 45 RPM formats. Cadence's founder, Archie Bleyer, was the orchestra conductor on the recording and provided a rhythmic beat on the recording, using his knees."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1954/Billboard%201954-10-02.pdf Reviews of New Pop Records]", 'Billboard', October 2, 1954. p. 39. Retrieved May 11, 2018. 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",Leszczak, Bob (2014). '[https://books.google.com/books?id=hj0fAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA134#v=onepage&q&f=false Who Did It First?: Great Pop Cover Songs and Their Original Artists]', Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 134-135. Retrieved May 15, 2018. and a glissando (a flourish common in his music) immediately follows. Pagliacci is mentioned for having a lonely heart, which is a reference to the opera 'Pagliacci' by Ruggero Leoncavallo.

In the United States, the Chordettes' single reached No. 1 on all three of 'Billboard's popular music charts,"[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1954/Billboard%201954-12-18.pdf The Billboard Music Popularity Charts - Popular Records]", 'Billboard', December 18, 1954. p. 26. Retrieved May 2, 2018. and was ranked No. 9 in 'Cash Box's ranking of "1955's Top Pop Records as Voted in the 'Cash Box' Poll"."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/50s/1955/CB-1955-12-24.pdf 1955's Top Pop Records as Voted in the Cash Box Poll]", 'Cash Box', December 24, 1955. p. 16. Retrieved May 8, 2018.

Chart performance



The Four Aces version



In 1954, the Four Aces released a version of the song, backed by the Jack Pleis Orchestra. The Four Aces' version was a top-ten hit in the United States, United Kingdom, and Flanders. The Four Aces' version was notably featured in the movie 'Back to the Future', when Marty first realizes he is in 1955.Krims, Adam (2012). '[https://books.google.com/books?id=ohDyVTHT8h0C&pg=PT103#v=onepage&q&f=false Music and Urban Geography]', Routledge. p. 103. Retrieved May 10, 2018.

Chart performance



Chet Atkins version



On November 17, 1954, Chet Atkins recorded an instrumental version during a four-song recording session at RCA Victor's Nashville recording studio.Reinhart, Mark S. (2014). '[https://books.google.com/books?id=pSGhBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT64#v=onepage&q&f=false Chet Atkins: The Greatest Songs of Mister Guitar]', McFarland & Company. Retrieved May 14, 2018. Atkins used the Ray Butts EchoSonic guitar amp on this recording, and was backed by celesta, piano, bass, and drums. Atkins' version was released as a single in January 1955. It was Atkins' first single to chart on 'Billboard's country charts,Jessen, Wade. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=MhQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA104#v=onepage&q&f=false Chet Atkins Remembered as a 'Country Gentleman']", 'Billboard', July 14, 2001. p. 104. Retrieved May 11, 2018. and reached No. 15 on 'Billboard's Country & Western Records chart of "Best Sellers in Stores" and No. 13 on 'Billboard's Country & Western Records chart of "Most Played by Jockeys"."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1955/Billboard%201955-02-05.pdf The Billboard Music Popularity Charts - Country & Western Records]", 'Billboard', February 5, 1955. p. 42. Retrieved May 2, 2018.

Atkins re-recorded "Mister Sandman" for his 1990 album 'The Magic of Chet Atkins'.

Credits and personnel

*Chet Atkins Guitar

*Bud Isaacs Steel guitar

*Marvin Hughes Piano / Celeste

*Ernie Newton Bass

*Buddy Harman Drums

*Stephen H. Sholes Producer

Bert Kaempfert version



In 1968, Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra released an instrumental version as a single and on the album 'My Way of Life'."[https://books.google.com/books?id=wwoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA76#v=onepage&q&f=false Billboard Album Reviews]", 'Billboard', October 12, 1968. Retrieved May 10, 2018. It reached No. 12 on 'Billboard's Easy Listening chart,[https://web.archive.org/web/20180521084157/https://www.billboard.com/music/bert-kaempfert-and-his-orchestra/chart-history/adult-contemporary/song/704354 Adult Contemporary - Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra Mister Sandman Chart History], 'Billboard.com'. Retrieved May 2, 2018."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1968/Billboard%201968-07-27.pdf Easy Listening]", 'Billboard', July 27, 1968. p. 39. Retrieved May 2, 2018. No. 14 on 'Record World's "Top Non-Rock" chart,"[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Record-World/60s/68/RW-1968-07-06.pdf Record World's Top Non-Rock]", 'Record World', July 6, 1968. p. 24. Retrieved May 2, 2018. No. 3 on 'Record World's chart of "Singles Coming Up","[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Record-World/60s/68/RW-1968-06-22.pdf Singles Coming Up]", 'Record World', June 22, 1968. p. 22. Retrieved May 2, 2018. and No. 1 on 'Cash Box's "Looking Ahead" chart of singles with potential of entering the 'Cash Box' Top 100."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/60s/1968/CB-1968-06-22.pdf Looking Ahead]", 'Cash Box', June 22, 1968. p. 12. Retrieved May 3, 2018.

Emmylou Harris version



In January 1978,Holland, Bill. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=SiQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT55#v=onepage&q&f=false 'Supertrio' Cutting for Autumn Release]", 'Billboard', March 8, 1986. p. 56. Retrieved May 8, 2018. Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt recorded a version of the song for a planned trio album which was ultimately scrapped. (The three would eventually reunite and release the first of two 'Trio' albums nearly a decade later in 1987). Harris included the trio recording of "Mr. Sandman" on her 1981 album 'Evangeline', though with the stipulation that it not be released as a single (given that Parton and Ronstadt both were affiliated with other record labels). However, when Harris later changed her mind and wanted to put the song out as a single, she rerecorded it, singing all three parts herself, and releasing it in 1981, under the title "Mister Sandman". The single reached number 10 on the 'Billboard' Hot Country Singles chart, and number 37 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100, making it Harris' only single to reach the top 40 on that chart.

Harris's single version did not appear on an album until the 1984 compilation 'Profile II: The Best of Emmylou Harris'.

Credits and personnel

;'Evangeline' version

*Brian Ahern Acoustic Guitar

*Hal Blaine Drums

*Mike Bowden Bass

*James Burton Electric Guitar

*Glen D. Hardin Electric Piano

*Emmylou Harris Vocals, Backing Vocals

*Dolly Parton Backing Vocals

*Linda Ronstadt Backing Vocals

Charts



Year-end charts



Other versions



*Buddy Morrow and His Orchestra released a version in 1954, which reached No. 20 on 'Billboard's chart of "Most Played by Jockeys"."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1954/Billboard%201954-12-04.pdf The Billboard Music Popularity Charts - Popular Records]", 'Billboard', December 4, 1954. p. 36. Retrieved May 2, 2018.

*In January 1955, a version by Max Bygraves reached No. 16 on the UK's 'New Musical Express' chart.[http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/194/max-bygraves/ Max Bygraves - Full Official Chart History], Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2018.

*The most successful recording of the song in the UK was by Dickie Valentine, which peaked at No. 5 on the 'New Musical Express' chart in February 1955.[http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/401/dickie-valentine/ Dickie Valentine - Full Official Chart History], Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2018.

*The Fleetwoods released a version in 1964, as a single and on the album 'Before and After'.[http://www.norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Fleetwoods&titel=Mr%2E+Sandman&cat=s The Fleetwoods - Mr. Sandman], norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved May 11, 2018. Their version reached No. 113 on 'Billboard's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart"[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1964/Billboard%201964-09-05.pdf Bubbling Under the Hot 100]", 'Billboard', September 5, 1964. Retrieved May 2, 2018. and No. 19 on 'Cash Box's "Looking Ahead" chart of singles with potential of entering the 'Cash Box' Top 100."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/60s/1964/CB-1964-09-05.pdf Looking Ahead]", 'Cash Box', September 5, 1964. p. 10. Retrieved May 3, 2018.

*Tommy O'Day released a version in 1978, which reached No. 96 on 'Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart.[https://www.billboard.com/artist/tommy-oday/chart-history/csi/ Hot Country Songs - Tommy O'Day Mr. Sandman Chart History], 'Billboard.com'. Retrieved May 2, 2018."[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1978/Billboard%201978-02-04.pdf Hot Country Singles]", 'Billboard', February 4, 1978. Retrieved May 2, 2018.

*In 1996, German power metal band Blind Guardian released a CD maxi single with a cover version of "Mr. Sandman."

*Bette Midler recorded the song for her 2014 album 'It's the Girls!.

*In 2017 SYML released a cover, which was described as "an ominous and brooding song full of dark waves of emotion."

*Ballard also rewrote the lyrics for Christmas use as "Mr. Santa".'[https://books.google.com/books?id=PjkhAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA16#v=onepage&q&f=false Published Music: Jan-Jun.]', Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series. 1954. p. 16. Retrieved May 8, 2018. Singer Dorothy Collins released "Mr. Santa" in 1955,"[https://books.google.com/books?id=vCEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA44#v=onepage&q&f=false Reviews of New Pop-Christmas Records]", 'Billboard', November 26, 1955. p. 44. Retrieved May 14, 2018. which reached No. 51 in 'Music Vendor'. Amy Grant recorded a version included on the 1999 album 'A Christmas to Remember'.

*In 2021, political satirist Randy Rainbow did a parody of the song, changing it to "Mr. Biden (Bring My Vaccine)" about President Joe Biden's rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.

References




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