In 1958, the Chordettes, a harmonizing girl group from Sheboygan, captivated audiences with their a cappella hits like “Mr. Sandman” and “Lollipop.” Known for their charming live performances, they often sang in quick succession, with each member taking a “bum-bum-bum” in perfect harmony. Despite their wholesome appearance in long gowns, the lyrics had a cheeky undertone, asking Mr. Sandman to bring a cute man.
During a live TV performance, Mr. Sandman himself makes a charming appearance, adding humor to the act. Janet, one of the Chordettes, even had a daughter who married Phil Everly of The Everly Brothers, a notable musical union. While the Chordettes’ version of “Mr. Sandman” became iconic, Vaughn Monroe first recorded it in 1954, though their rendition is remembered as the more inspired one.
One viewer reminisced about the purity of the performance, recalling a simpler time without modern production tricks like auto-tune. Another shared their fond memories of a grandmother who sang this song, deepening the song’s connection to the nostalgic ’50s era.