{{Short description|1954 song}} {{about|the popular song|other uses||the mythical figure|Sandman}} [[File:Vaughan Monroe.jpg|thumb|Monroe 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 and 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.<ref>Ballard, Pat (1954). "Mister Sandman" [sheet music], Edwin H. Morris & Company, Inc., 35 West 51st St., New York, NY.</ref>
Emmylou Harris's 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.<ref name="Sullivan">Sullivan, Steve (2017). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=GQglDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA261 Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings, Volume 3]'', Rowman & Littlefield. p. 261. Retrieved May 6, 2018.</ref> It was released as the B-side of "They Were Doin' the Mambo",<ref name="Sullivan"/><ref>"[https://books.google.com/books?id=4h4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38 Reviews of New Pop Records]", ''Billboard'', June 19, 1954. p. 38. Retrieved May 6, 2018.</ref> on RCA Victor label as catalog number 20-5767 / 47-5767.<ref name="Top50121154"/> This record lacked the complex vocal harmonies found in many later versions of the song.
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.<ref name="Top50121154">"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/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.</ref> It also reached No. 1 on ''Cash Box''{{'}}s chart of "The Nation's Top Ten Juke Box Tunes", in the same tandem ranking,<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/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.</ref> 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,<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/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.</ref> but later in a tandem ranking of the Chordettes and the Four Aces' versions.<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/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.</ref>
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,<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/50s/1954/Billboard%201954-12-04.pdf Honor Roll of Hits]", ''Billboard'', December 4, 1954. p. 34. Retrieved May 7, 2018.</ref> and was ranked No. 12 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s ranking of "1955's Top Tunes" based on the Honor Roll of Hits.<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/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.</ref>
==The Chordettes version== {{Infobox song | name = Mr. Sandman | cover = Mr Sandman (Chordettes) .jpg | alt = | caption = | type = single | artist = The Chordettes | album = | B-side = I Don't Wanna See You Cryin' | released = October 1, 1954 | recorded = 1954 | studio = | genre = {{hlist|Barbershop music|traditional pop}} | length = {{Duration|m=2|s=22}} | label = Cadence | writer = Pat Ballard | producer = Archie Bleyer | prev_title = Moonlight on the Ganges | prev_year = 1951 | next_title = Lonely Lips | next_year = 1955 }} 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 for the recording using his knees.<ref name="Sullivan"/><ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/50s/1954/Billboard%201954-10-02.pdf Reviews of New Pop Records]", ''Billboard'', October 2, 1954. p. 39. Retrieved May 11, 2018.</ref> Bleyer's voice is heard briefly in the third verse, when he says "Yes?" The piano is played by Moe Wechsler. Liberace's name is mentioned for his "wavy hair",<ref name="Leszczak">Leszczak, Bob (2014). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=hj0fAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA134 Who Did It First?: Great Pop Cover Songs and Their Original Artists]'', Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 134–135. Retrieved May 15, 2018.</ref> and a glissando (a flourish common in his music) immediately follows. Pagliacci is mentioned for having a lonely heart,<ref name="Leszczak"/> which is a reference to the opera ''Pagliacci'' by Ruggero Leoncavallo. An important milestone in this version is the opening sequence of vocal arpeggios ("bom, bom, bom, bom" etc.). This section was heavily sampled by several subsequent genres, such as hip-hop.
In the United States, the Chordettes' single reached No. 1 on all three of ''Billboard''{{'}}s popular music charts,<ref name="BBPop121854">"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/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.</ref> and was ranked No. 9 in ''Cash Box''{{'}}s ranking of "1955's Top Pop Records as Voted in the ''Cash Box'' Poll".<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/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.</ref>
In 2002, the 1954 recording of the song by The Chordettes on Cadence Records was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web | title=GRAMMY Hall Of Fame {{!}} Hall of Fame Artists {{!}} GRAMMY.com | url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/hall-of-fame-award#m | access-date=2025-07-12 | website=www.grammy.com}}</ref>
The Chordettes' version was notably featured in scenes of several TV shows and movies throughout the years, including ''Halloween II'' (1981), ''Uncle Buck'' (1989), ''Halloween H20: 20 Years Later'' (1998), ''Doctor Who'' (2005), ''Grimm'' (2011), ''Sleepy Hollow'' (2013), ''Deadpool'' (2016), and ''Stranger Things'' (2016).
===Chart performance=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Chart (1954–1955) !Peak<br />position |- |UK ''New Musical Express''<ref>[http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/1661/chordettes/ Chordettes - Full Official Chart History], Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2018.</ref> |align="center"|11 |- |US ''Billboard'' Best Sellers in Stores<ref name="BBPop121854"/> |align="center"|1 |- |US ''Billboard'' Most Played by Jockeys<ref name="BBPop121854"/> |align="center"|1 |- |US ''Billboard'' Most Played in Juke Boxes<ref name="BBPop121854"/> |align="center"|1 |- |}
==The Four Aces version== {{Infobox song | name = Mister Sandman | cover = Mister Sandman by The Four Aces featuring Al Alberts US vinyl.png | alt = | caption = U.S. vinyl single of the Four Aces recording | type = single | artist = the Four Aces featuring Al Alberts | album = | B-side = (I'll Be with You) In Apple Blossom Time | released = November 1954 | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre = Traditional pop | length = {{Duration|m=2|s=35}} | label = Decca | writer = Pat Ballard | producer = | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = | next_year = }} In 1954, the Four Aces released a version of the song, backed by the Jack Pleis Orchestra.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://honkingduck.com/discography/artist/the_four_aces_jack_pleis_orch_|title=The Four Aces ( Jack Pleis Orch ) : A Discography|website=Honkingduck.com|access-date=30 April 2021}}</ref> The Four Aces' version was a top-ten hit in the United States, United Kingdom, and Flanders.
In 1985 The Four Aces' version was notably featured in the sci-fi movie ''Back to the Future'' in a scene when Marty McFly first realizes he is in 1955, arriving at the town's square.<ref>Krims, Adam (2012). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=ohDyVTHT8h0C&pg=PT103 Music and Urban Geography]'', Routledge. p. 103. Retrieved May 10, 2018.</ref><ref name="Leszczak"/>
===Chart performance=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Chart (1954–1955) !Peak<br />position |- |Belgium Flanders<ref name="VLFourAces">[http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/9f3d5/The-Four-Aces-Mister-Sandman The Four Aces – Mister Sandman], Ultratop. Retrieved May 2, 2018.</ref> |align="center"|2 |- |UK ''New Musical Express''<ref>[http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/1246/four-aces/ Four Aces - Full Official Chart History], Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2018.</ref> |align="center"|9 |- |US ''Billboard'' Best Sellers in Stores<ref name="BBPop121854"/> |align="center"|9 |- |US ''Billboard'' Most Played by Jockeys<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/50s/1955/Billboard%201955-01-01.pdf The Billboard Music Popularity Charts - Popular Records]", ''Billboard'', January 1, 1955. p. 20. Retrieved May 2, 2018.</ref> |align="center"|5 |- |US ''Billboard'' Most Played in Juke Boxes<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/50s/1955/Billboard%201955-01-22.pdf The Billboard Music Popularity Charts - Popular Records]", ''Billboard'', January 22, 1955. p. 30. Retrieved May 2, 2018.</ref> |align="center"|6 |- |}
==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.<ref name="Reinhart">Reinhart, Mark S. (2014). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=pSGhBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT64 Chet Atkins: The Greatest Songs of Mister Guitar]'', McFarland & Company. Retrieved May 14, 2018.</ref> Atkins used the Ray Butts EchoSonic guitar amp on this recording, and was backed by celesta, piano, bass, and drums.<ref name="Reinhart"/> Atkins' version was released as a single in January 1955.<ref name="Reinhart"/> It was Atkins' first single to chart on ''Billboard''{{'}}s country charts,<ref>Jessen, Wade. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=MhQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA104 Chet Atkins Remembered as a 'Country Gentleman']", ''Billboard'', July 14, 2001. p. 104. Retrieved May 11, 2018.</ref> 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".<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/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.</ref>
Atkins re-recorded "Mister Sandman" for his 1990 album ''The Magic of Chet Atkins''.<ref name="Reinhart"/>
===Credits and personnel=== *Chet Atkins – Guitar<ref name="Reinhart"/> *Bud Isaacs – Steel guitar<ref name="Reinhart"/> *Marvin Hughes – Piano / Celeste<ref name="Reinhart"/> *Ernie Newton – Bass<ref name="Reinhart"/> *Buddy Harman – Drums<ref name="Reinhart"/> *Stephen H. Sholes – Producer<ref name="Reinhart"/>
==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''.<ref>"[https://books.google.com/books?id=wwoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA76 Billboard Album Reviews]", ''Billboard'', October 12, 1968. Retrieved May 10, 2018.</ref> It reached No. 12 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Easy Listening chart,<ref>[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.</ref><ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1968/Billboard%201968-07-27.pdf Easy Listening]", ''Billboard'', July 27, 1968. p. 39. Retrieved May 2, 2018.</ref> No. 14 on ''Record World''{{'}}s "Top Non-Rock" chart,<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/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.</ref> No. 3 on ''Record World''{{'}}s chart of "Singles Coming Up",<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/68/RW-1968-06-22.pdf Singles Coming Up]", ''Record World'', June 22, 1968. p. 22. Retrieved May 2, 2018.</ref> and No. 1 on ''Cash Box''{{'}}s "Looking Ahead" chart of singles with potential of entering the ''Cash Box'' Top 100.<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1968/CB-1968-06-22.pdf Looking Ahead]", ''Cash Box'', June 22, 1968. p. 12. Retrieved May 3, 2018.</ref>
==Emmylou Harris version== {{Infobox song | name = Mister Sandman | cover = Mister Sandman Emmylou Harris.jpg | alt = | caption = German and Austrian vinyl picture sleeve | type = single | artist = Emmylou Harris | album = | B-side = Rose of Cimarron | released = 1981 | recorded = 1980 | studio = | venue = | genre = Country pop | length = 2:20 | label = Warner Bros. Nashville | writer = Pat Ballard | producer = Brian Ahern | prev_title = The Boxer | prev_year = 1980 | next_title = I Don't Have to Crawl | next_year = 1981 }} In January 1978,<ref name="Holland">Holland, Bill. "[https://books.google.com/books?id=SiQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT55 'Supertrio' Cutting for Autumn Release]", ''Billboard'', March 8, 1986. p. 56. Retrieved May 8, 2018.</ref> 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'',<ref name="Holland"/> though with the stipulation that it not be released as a single (given that Parton and Ronstadt were both 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,<ref name="Leszczak"/> 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 *Emmylou Harris – lead and backing vocals *Dolly Parton – backing vocals *Linda Ronstadt – backing vocals *James Burton – electric guitar *Brian Ahern – acoustic guitar *Glen D. Hardin – electric piano *Mike Bowden – bass *Hal Blaine – drums
===Charts=== {|class="wikitable sortable" !Chart (1981) !Peak<br />position |- |align="left"|Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top100singles.net/2011/11/every-amr-top-100-single-in-1981.html#show |title=Top 100 Singles |website=Top100singles.net |access-date=2021-05-21}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"|19 |- |Austria (Ö3 Hit wähl mit)<ref name="Austrian">[http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Emmylou+Harris&titel=Mister+Sandman&cat=s Emmylou Harris – Mister Sandman], austriancharts.at. Retrieved May 5, 2018.</ref> |align="center"|15 |- |Canada ''RPM'' 50 Singles<ref>"[http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=168& RPM 50 Singles]", ''RPM Weekly'', Volume 34, No. 21. May 02, 1981. Retrieved May 5, 2018.</ref> |align="center"|42 |- |Canada ''RPM'' Country 50 Singles<ref>"[http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=171& RPM Country 50 Singles]", ''RPM Weekly'', Volume 34, No. 23. May 16, 1981. Retrieved May 5, 2018.</ref> |align="center"|1 |- |Belgium Flanders<ref>[http://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/2e4/Emmylou-Harris-Mister-Sandman Emmylou Harris – Mister Sandman], Ultratop. Retrieved May 4, 2018.</ref> |align="center"|8 |- |Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>[https://www.top40.nl/emmylou-harris/emmylou-harris-mister-sandman-5409 Emmylou Harris – Mister Sandman], Media Markt Top 40. Retrieved May 3, 2018.</ref> |align="center"|8 |- |Netherlands (Nationale Hitparade)<ref>[http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Emmylou+Harris&titel=Mister+Sandman&cat=s Emmylou Harris – Mister Sandman], Dutch Charts. Retrieved May 4, 2018.</ref> | align="center"|9 |- |New Zealand Singles Chart<ref>[https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Emmylou+Harris&titel=Mister+Sandman&cat=s Emmylou Harris – Mister Sandman], charts.org.nz. Retrieved May 4, 2018.</ref> |align="center"|16 |- |Swiss Hitparade<ref>[https://hitparade.ch/song/Emmylou-Harris/Mister-Sandman-740 Emmylou Harris – Mister Sandman], hitparade.ch. Retrieved May 5, 2018.</ref> |align="center"|5 |- |US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>[https://www.billboard.com/artist/emmylou-harris/chart-history/hsi/ Hot 100 - Emmylou Harris Mister Sandman Chart History], ''Billboard.com''. Retrieved May 4, 2018.</ref> |align="center"|37 |- |US ''Billboard'' Adult Contemporary<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |author-link= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=106}}</ref> |align="center"|8 |- |US ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles<ref>[https://www.billboard.com/artist/emmylou-harris/chart-history/csi/ Hot Country Songs - Emmylou Harris Mister Sandman Chart History], ''Billboard.com''. Retrieved May 4, 2018.</ref><ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1981/BB-1981-05-02.pdf Billboard Hot Country Singles]", ''Billboard'', May 2, 1981. p. 62. Retrieved May 4, 2018.</ref> |align="center"|10 |- |US ''Cash Box'' Top 100 Singles<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1981/CB-1981-04-18.pdf Cash Box Top 100 Singles]", ''Cash Box'', April 18, 1981. p. 4. Retrieved May 5, 2018.</ref> | align="center"|37 |- |US ''Cash Box'' Top 100 Country<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1981/CB-1981-05-09.pdf Cash Box Top 100 Country]", ''Cash Box'', May 9, 1981. p. 28. Retrieved May 5, 2018.</ref> | align="center"|9 |- |US ''Record World'' Singles<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/80s/81/Record-World-1981-04-25.pdf Record World Singles]", ''Record World'', April 25, 1981. Retrieved May 5, 2018.</ref> | align="center"|40 |- |US ''Record World'' A/C Chart<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/80s/81/RW-1981-04-11.pdf Record World A/C Chart]", ''Record World'', April 11, 1981. p. 30. Retrieved May 5, 2018.</ref> | align="center"|12 |- |US ''Record World'' Country Singles<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/80s/81/RW-1981-05-02.pdf Record World Country Singles]", ''Record World'', May 2, 1981. Retrieved May 5, 2018.</ref> | align="center"|9 |- |West Germany (Media Control)<ref name="Austrian"/> |align="center"|14 |}
====Year-end charts==== {|class="wikitable sortable" !Chart (1981) !Position |- |Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1981|title=Jaaroverzichten 1981|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=October 9, 2021}}</ref> |align="center"|73 |- |Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1981|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1981|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=October 9, 2021}}</ref> |align="center"|83 |- |West Germany (Official German Charts)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1981|title=Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts|language=German|work=GfK Entertainment|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|access-date=October 9, 2021}}</ref> |align="center"|35 |}
==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".<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/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.</ref> *Mervin Shiner released a version in 1954.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/master/1716801-Merv-Shiner-Mister-Sandman-Penny-Candy| title=Discogs entry for Mervin Shiner| website=Discogs| date=1954}}</ref> *In January 1955, a version by Max Bygraves reached No. 16 on the UK's ''New Musical Express'' chart.<ref>[http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/194/max-bygraves/ Max Bygraves - Full Official Chart History], Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2018.</ref> *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.<ref>[http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/401/dickie-valentine/ Dickie Valentine - Full Official Chart History], Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 2, 2018.</ref> *The Fleetwoods released a version in 1964, as a single and on the album ''Before and After''.<ref>[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.</ref> Their version reached No. 113 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1964/Billboard%201964-09-05.pdf Bubbling Under the Hot 100]", ''Billboard'', September 5, 1964. Retrieved May 2, 2018.</ref> and No. 19 on ''Cash Box''{{'}}s "Looking Ahead" chart of singles with potential of entering the ''Cash Box'' Top 100.<ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1964/CB-1964-09-05.pdf Looking Ahead]", ''Cash Box'', September 5, 1964. p. 10. Retrieved May 3, 2018.</ref> *Tommy O'Day released a version in 1978, which reached No. 96 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Hot Country Singles chart.<ref>[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.</ref><ref>"[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1978/Billboard%201978-02-04.pdf Hot Country Singles]", ''Billboard'', February 4, 1978. Retrieved May 2, 2018.</ref> *German power metal band Blind Guardian covered the song on their 1996 compilation album The Forgotten Tales. *The canadian Country music and alternative rock singer Nan Vernon covered the song, for the Rob Zombie adaption of Halloween.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bolling|first=Gaius|date=10 May 2017 |title=Rob Zombie's Halloween|url=https://thecinematicreel.com/rob-zombies-halloween/ |access-date=30 April 2021 |website=The Cinematic Reel}}</ref> *In 2017 SYML released a cover,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/mr-sandman-mt0054350218|title=Mr. Sandman - SYML | Song Info |access-date=30 April 2021|website=AllMusic}}</ref> which was described as "an ominous and brooding song full of dark waves of emotion."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mosk |first=Mitch |date=10 May 2017 |title=Premiere: SYML's Haunting "Mr Sandman" Gives New Life to a Classic |url=https://atwoodmagazine.com/mr-sandman-syml-premiere/ |access-date=30 April 2021 |website=Atwood Magazine}}</ref> *Ballard also rewrote the lyrics for Christmas use as "Mr. Santa".<ref>''[https://books.google.com/books?id=PjkhAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA16 Published Music: Jan-Jun.]'', Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series. 1954. p. 16. Retrieved May 8, 2018.</ref> Singer Dorothy Collins released "Mr. Santa" in 1955,<ref>"[https://books.google.com/books?id=vCEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA44 Reviews of New Pop-Christmas Records]", ''Billboard'', November 26, 1955. p. 44. Retrieved May 14, 2018.</ref> which reached No. 51 in ''Music Vendor''. *The music was covered in the commercial to promote a McDonald's Big N' Tasty burgers under the song "Come Around Now, Make Me a Dream".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAfTSlpU80Q&ab_channel=nappycakes | title=McDonald's Philippines BIG N' TASTY Commercial | website=YouTube | date=10 June 2012 }}</ref> *Canadian science communicator Tim Blais made a parody of the song about the CRISPR process, calling it "CRISPR Cas-9, bring me a gene".<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k99bMtg4zRk |title=CRISPR-Cas9 ("Mr. Sandman" Parody) {{!}} A Capella Science |date=2016-10-08 |last=acapellascience |access-date=2025-10-03 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{AllMusic|song|t1534650}} {{The Chordettes}} {{Bert Kaempfert}} {{Emmylou Harris singles}} {{Sandman navbox}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mister Sandman}} Category:1954 songs Category:1954 singles Category:1955 singles Category:1964 singles Category:1968 singles Category:1978 singles Category:1981 singles Category:1996 singles Category:Songs written by Pat Ballard Category:The Chordettes songs Category:The Four Aces songs Category:Chet Atkins songs Category:Max Bygraves songs Category:The Fleetwoods songs Category:Emmylou Harris songs Category:Blind Guardian songs Category:Bette Midler songs Category:Song recordings produced by Brian Ahern (producer) Category:Song recordings produced by Stephen H. Sholes Category:Number-one singles in the United States Category:Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients Category:RCA Victor singles Category:Cadence Records singles Category:Decca Records singles Category:Mercury Records singles Category:His Master's Voice singles Category:Warner Records singles Category:Sandman Category:Songs about fictional male characters Category:Songs about dreams Category:Bert Kaempfert songs