Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. was born in 1939 to Marvin Gay, Sr. and Alberta Gay in Washington, D.C.. Gaye began his career in Motown in 1958, and soon became Motown's top solo male artist. He scored numerous hits during the 1960s, among them "Ain't That Peculiar", "Stubborn Kind of Fellow", and "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", as well as several hit duets with Tammi Terrell, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"" and "You're All I Need to Get By", before moving on to his own form of musical self-expression.
Along with Stevie Wonder, Gaye is notable for fighting the hit-making—but creatively restrictive—Motown record-making process, in which performers, songwriters and record producers were generally kept in separate camps. Gaye forced Motown to release his 1971 album What's Going On, which is today hailed as one of the best albums of all time. Subsequent releases proved that Gaye, who had been a part-time songwriter for Motown artists during his early years with the label, could write and produce his own singles without having to rely on the Motown system. This achievement would pave the way for the successes of later self-sufficient singer-songwriter-producers in African American music, such as Luther Vandross and Babyface.
During the 1970s, Gaye would release several other notable albums, including Let's Get It On and I Want You, and released several successful singles such as "Come Get to This", "Got to Give It Up" and "Sexual Healing". By the time of his shooting death in 1984, at the hands of his clergyman father, Gaye had become one of the most influential artists of the soul music era.
Mr. Sandman
Marvin Gaye Lyrics
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Make her the cutest that I've ever seen
Give her two lips like roses and clover
Then tell her that her lonesome nights are over
Sandman, I'm so alone
Don't have nobody to call my own
Please turn on your magic beam
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
Make her the cutest that I've ever seen
Give her the word that I'm not a rover
Then tell her that her lonesome nights are over
Sandman, I'm so alone
Don't have nobody to call my own
Please turn on your magic beam
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
Mr. Sandman, someone to hold
Would be so peachy before I'm too old
So please turn on your magic beam
Mr. Sandman, bring me, please, please, please
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
The song "Mr. Sandman" by Marvin Gaye is an iconic track that showcases the loneliness and longing of unrequited love. The opening line "Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream" sets the tone for the song, as the singer seeks solace in the comfort of sleep and dreams. The request of the Sandman is simple - bring him a dream, where he can find companionship and love. He asks for a woman who is the "cutest" he has ever seen and has lips like roses and clover. The idea of a perfect image is a recurring theme in the song, as he also asks for the dream woman to be told that her "lonesome nights are over".
Throughout the song, the need for companionship is emphasized as the singer expresses his loneliness and lack of someone to call his own. He pleads with the Sandman to turn on his "magic beam" to grant him the request he so desperately needs. The final verse of the song highlights the urgency of his quest for love, as he asks for someone to hold him before he is "too old".
Overall, the song is a timeless classic that showcases the timeless themes of longing, loneliness, and the need for love and companionship.
Line by Line Meaning
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
The singer is requesting the mythical figure, Mr. Sandman, to bring them a pleasant dream.
Make her the cutest that I've ever seen
The singer wants Mr. Sandman to create an image in their dream of the most appealing person they can think of.
Give her two lips like roses and clover
The singer wants Mr. Sandman to make the lips of the envisioned person look beautiful and desirable, like two flowers.
Then tell her that her lonesome nights are over
The artist wants Mr. Sandman to communicate to the created person in their dream that they are not lonely anymore and that everything will be okay.
Sandman, I'm so alone
The artist admits that they feel lonely and desire companionship.
Don't have nobody to call my own
The singer explains that they do not have anyone to claim as their own and feel a sense of belonging with.
Please turn on your magic beam
The singer is urging Mr. Sandman to use his magical powers to create the dream they are requesting.
Mr. Sandman, someone to hold
The artist is expressing their desire for physical touch and intimacy with another person.
Would be so peachy before I'm too old
The artist is hoping for this dream, and fulfillment of their desires, to happen before they feel it is too late in life to enjoy it.
So please turn on your magic beam
The artist repeats their plea to Mr. Sandman to make their dream come true with his magical power.
Mr. Sandman, bring me, please, please, please
The singer is emphatically requesting Mr. Sandman to bring the dream they long for.
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
The song ends with the artist's repeated request for Mr. Sandman to bring them a dream.
Writer(s): Clifford Smith, Robert F. Diggs, Pat Ballard, Jason Hunter
Contributed by Arianna N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.