Mr. Sandman
Four Aces Lyrics

The Four Aces's song Mr. Sandman is a plea to the mythical character Mr. Sandman to bring the singer a dream of a perfect partner. The opening line "Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream" sets the tone for the song, as the singer asks the Sandman to make the dream they're about to have the best they've ever had. This is emphasized in the second line when the singer asks the Sandman to make the dream's subject the "cutest" they've ever seen. The Sandman is asked to give this dream partner "two lips like roses and clover", indicating that the singer desires a partner who is both beautiful and sweet. The final line of the verse, "Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over", implies that the singer has been lonely and is seeking someone to fill that loneliness.

In the chorus, the singer repeats their request for the Sandman to bring them a dream, with the scat "bung, bung, bung, bung" adding a playful tone to the song. The second verse continues the singer's description of their ideal partner, emphasizing that they want someone who will not stray from them ("Give him the word that I'm not a rover"). The reference to Pagliacci in the line "Give him a lonely heart like Pagliacci" is interesting because Pagliacci is a tragic clown from an Italian opera who wears a costume that smiles while his heart is breaking. This may indicate that the singer desires someone who is vulnerable but still manages to put on a brave face. Finally, the singer asks the Sandman to bring them "lots of wavy hair like Liberace", which adds a humorous touch to the song.

Overall, Mr. Sandman is a playful, upbeat song that asks for a dream partner who is both attractive and faithful. It also reflects the social norms and gender roles of the time in which it was written, where it was more common for women to hope for a male partner who would take care of them.