They were first organized in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1946. The original members of the group were Janet Ertel (1913-November 4, 1988), Carol Bushman (her sister-in-law), Dorothy Schwartz, and Jinny Osborn (or Lockard) (April 25, 1927-May 19, 2003). In 1952, Lynn Evans replaced Schwartz, and in 1953, Margie Needham replaced Osborn (who was having a baby), though Osborn later returned to the group. Nancy Overton also was a member of the group at a later time. Originally they sang folk music in the style of The Weavers, but eventually changed to a harmonizing style of the type known as barbershop harmony. Part of this change seems to be influenced by Osborn's father.
Jinny Osborn was born in Seattle, Washington. She was born Virginia Cole, the daughter of O. H. "King" Cole, who was president of the Barbershop Harmony Society (then known as SPEBSQSA), and Katherine Flack.
After performing locally in Sheboygan, they went on Arthur Godfrey's radio program, Talent Scouts in 1949.They went on to feature status on Godfrey's daily program, and then went on to make a number of recordings for Columbia Records.
In 1953, Godfrey's music director and orchestra leader, Archie Bleyer, founded Cadence Records. He signed a number of Godfrey regulars and former regulars, including the Chordettes, who had a number of hit records for Cadence.
Their biggest hit was Mr. Sandman in 1954. Archie Bleyer himself is on that record along with the group, Bleyer stripping the sound down the better not to clutter the girls' voices. They also hit the top twenty with 1958's "Lollipop," and also charted with a vocal version of the themes from television's Zorro (1959) and the film Never on Sunday (1961). Other hits for the girls included "Eddie My Love," "Born to Be With You," and "Lay Down Your Arms" in 1956 and "Just Between You and Me" in 1957.
Janet Ertel married Bleyer in 1954. Her daughter Jackie married another Cadence recording star, Phil Everly of The Everly Brothers. She died of cancer in 1988.
The Chordettes appeared on American Bandstand August 5, 1957, kicking off the first episode of the show over the ABC Television Network.
In 1961, Jinny Osborn left the group, and they were unable to find a replacement with whom they were happy, leading to a breakup.
The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.
Jinny Osborn (by that time Jinny Janis) died in 2003
Mister Sandman
The Chordettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Bung, bung, bung, bung)
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen
(Bung, bung, bung, bung)
Give him two lips like roses in clover
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over
Sandman, I'm so alone
Please turn on your magic beam
Mister Sandman, bring me a dream
(bung, bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,
bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,
bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,
bung,bung)
Mister Sandman, bring me a dream
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen
Give him the word that I'm not a rover
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over
Sandman, I'm so alone
Don't have nobody to call my own
Please turn on your magic beam
Mister Sandman, bring me a dream
Mister Sandman, bring us a dream
Give him a pair of eyes with a "come hither" gleam
Give him a lonely heart like Pagliacci
And lots of wavy hair like Liberacci
Mister Sandman, someone to hold
Would be so peachy before we're to old
So please turn on your magic beam
Mister Sandman, bring us
Please, please, please
Mister Sandman, bring us a dream
The lyrics of The Chordettes' "Mister Sandman" is a plea to the Sandman, a mythical character in Western folklore who is believed to bring people dreams, to bring the dreamer a companion. The dreamer yearns for someone to share their life with, hence their request for a dream partner who is the cutest and has the sweetest lips. The dreamer wants the Sandman to assure their potential partner that their lonely nights are over. The song is written in a catchy melodic style and the bung, bung, bung, bung sound imitates the sound of a music box, which adds to the dreamlike feeling of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Mister Sandman, bring me a dream
I request for you, the Sandman, to bring me a dream.
(Bung, bung, bung, bung)
Hums that create the dreamy atmosphere.
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen
Make this dream man the most adorable person I have ever laid eyes on.
Give him two lips like roses in clover
Make his lips comparable to the softest roses in a field of clover.
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over
Let him know that his solitary nights are now at an end.
Sandman, I'm so alone
I address the Sandman and inform him of my current loneliness.
Don't have nobody to call my own
I don't have anyone to call my own.
Please turn on your magic beam
I request that the Sandman activates his magical powers.
Mister Sandman, bring me a dream
I implore the Sandman once more to bring me a dream.
(bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung, bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung, bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung,bung, bung,bung)
Hums that enhance the dreamy nature of the song.
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen
I reiterate my desire that the dream man be the cutest I've ever seen.
Give him the word that I'm not a rover
Inform him that I am not someone who wanders from place to place.
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over
Reassure the dream man that his lonely nights will come to an end.
Sandman, I'm so alone
I still find myself in a state of loneliness and again address the Sandman.
Don't have nobody to call my own
I once again state that I don't have anyone to call my own.
Please turn on your magic beam
I again request that the Sandman activate his magical powers to help me.
Mister Sandman, bring me a dream
Repeating my plea that the Sandman brings me a dream.
Mister Sandman, bring us a dream
Along with myself, I now ask the Sandman to bring us all a dream.
Give him a pair of eyes with a 'come hither' gleam
Make the dream man's eyes inviting and alluring.
Give him a lonely heart like Pagliacci
Bestow upon him a heart that is filled with sorrow and yearning, like that of the famous opera character Pagliacci.
And lots of wavy hair like Liberacci
Make him have long, wavy hair, especially like that of the performer Liberace.
Mister Sandman, someone to hold
I am requesting for the Sandman to bring us someone to hold, to create a feeling of comfort and ease.
Would be so peachy before we're to old
It would be so wonderful if we had someone to hold before we became too old to enjoy it.
So please turn on your magic beam
A final plea for the Sandman to activate his magical powers.
Mister Sandman, bring us
As a final request, we ask the Sandman to bring us all a dream.
Please, please, please
A repeated, hopeful plea for the Sandman to fulfill our dreams.
Mister Sandman, bring us a dream
Again, a final plea for the Sandman to bring us a dream.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Unison Rights S.L., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Pat Ballard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@purpleprinc3
[Verse 1]
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen
Give him two lips like roses and clover
Then tell him that his 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
[Verse 2]
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen
Give him the word that I'm not a rover
Then tell him that his 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
[Verse 3]
Mr. Sandman (Yes?) Bring us a dream
Give him a pair of eyes with a come-hither gleam
Give him a lonely heart like Pagliacci
And lots of wavy hair like Liberace
Mr. Sandman, someone to hold (Someone to hold)
Would be so peachy before we're too old
So please turn on your magic beam
Mr Sandman, bring us, please, please, please
Mr Sandman, bring us a dream
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Enter Sandman