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
Mr. Sandman
The Chordettes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung)
(Bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung)
(Bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung)
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream (bung, bung, bung, bung)
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen (bung, bung, bung, bung)
Give him two lips like roses and clover (bung, bung, bung, bung)
Sandman, I'm so alone (bung, bung, bung, bung)
Don't have nobody to call my own (bung, bung, bung, bung)
Please turn on your magic beam
Mr. 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, bung, bung)
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
(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, bung)
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
(Bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung)
(Bung, bung, bung, bung, bung, bung)
The song "Mr. Sandman" by The Chordettes is a plea to the mythical figure of Mr. Sandman, who is traditionally believed to bring dreams to people while they sleep. The singer in the song is feeling lonely and asks Mr. Sandman to bring her a dream, a dream where she has someone to call her own. She desires someone who is cute and has lips like roses and clovers. The plea is also for Mr. Sandman to tell her future dream partner that his lonely nights are over. The song ends with a request from a group of people for Mr. Sandman to bring them dreams of someone to hold, with a pair of ‘come-hither’ eyes and a lonely heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
Asks the mythical figure of Mr. Sandman to bring a pleasant dream
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen
Requests that the dream include an attractive, adorable figure
Give him two lips like roses and clover
Requests that the dream figure have attractive, kissable lips
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over
Requests that Mr. Sandman inform the dream figure that they are not alone anymore
Sandman, I'm so alone
Expresses a feeling of loneliness
Don't have nobody to call my own
Laments the lack of a romantic partner
Please turn on your magic beam
Requests that Mr. Sandman use magical powers to grant the dream
Mr. Sandman (yes) bring us a dream
Now addressing a group, requesting a dream for multiple people
Give him a pair of eyes with a "come-hither" gleam
Requests that the dream figure have seductive eyes
Give him a lonely heart like Pagliacci
Requests that the dream figure be emotionally vulnerable and relatable
And lots of wavy hair like Liberace
Requests that the dream figure have attractive, unique hair like the musician Liberace
Mr. Sandman, someone to hold (someone to hold)
Expresses the desire for physical affection and companionship
Would be so peachy before we're too old
Emphasizes the urgency in finding a partner before it's too late
So please turn on your magic beam
Reiterates the request for Mr. Sandman's assistance
Mr. Sandman, bring us, please, please, please
A final plea for the dream to be granted
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Pat Ballard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind