They sang THIS hit in 1958.
A 1958 Pop Moment
It is 1958, with President Eisenhower in office and rock & roll emerging. Amid that shift, the Chordettes—Janet, Alice, Lynn,
and Jinny—captivated radio audiences with mostly a cappella hits like “Mr. Sandman” and “Lollipop,” earning fame as the “Sheboygan harmonizing girls.”
Vocal Precision
In a live TV performance, the group, often compared to a barbershop quartet, dazzled viewers with the song’s famous “bum-bum-bums.”
Each singer performed a single “bum” in rapid succession, a feat that highlighted their tight coordination.
Charm and Contrast
While the “racially explicit lyrics beg Mr. Sandman to bring them a handsome man to bed with,”
the singers’ polished gowns and sweet delivery projected an image of old-fashioned propriety.
A Playful Finale
The performance includes a humorous insert where Mr. Sandman appears on screen—
“incredibly attractive and youthful”—adding comedy to the now-iconic tune.
