Mr Sandman

[meridian_rose]

For Fandom 50 today I'm featuring Mr Sandman.

Written in 1954 the best known versions are by The Chordettes, and the Four Aces, and in 1981 by Emmylou Harris.

Mr Sandman is a folklore figure whose magical sand puts people to sleep and inspires good dreams. (The grit or sleep found in eyes upon waking is supposedly that sand).

Sandy, the Sandman as seen in "Rise of the Guardians"

The song wants him to bring a dream as in a romantic figure, describing the ideal man with features such as lips like roses and wavy hair.

The Chordette's version featured in the films "Uncle Buck" and two of the "Halloween" franchise films.

The Four Aces's version featured in "Back to the Future" playing as Marty realises he's travelled back in time.

However I always think of The Golden Girls. In "Not Another Monday", s5e7, where Blanche, Rose, and Dorothy, sing it to a baby to try and get him to sleep.

Watch on YouTube

(Particuarly starting at the 1 minute mark!)

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

One youtube commentator said "Honestly I didn't know the name of the song so I searched bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum." 😂

Comments

[corvidology]

My granddad listened to a lot of music and I remember singing this one with him. Good memory, thank you!

He's the reason why I love old jazz and old musicals so much.

[meridian_rose]

Aww, glad I prompted a fond memory :) It's one my dad plays sometimes and him playing it on repeat trying to fix a volume issue on his laptop was what me choose it for the week's entry :)

sleep

[oldtoadwoman]

The grit or sleep found in eyes upon waking is supposedly that sand

I appreciate the confirmation that I did not imagine this term. My mother always called the stuff in your eyes "sleep" but I hear the word used that way so rarely that I was starting to wonder if it wasn't "just another weird thing mom said."

Re: sleep

[meridian_rose]

Happy to help :D My parents always call it 'sleep' but I don't think you hear it so much now.