Referential Analysis of "Mr. Sandman" by the Four Aces

Even before the words “Mister Sandman” are uttered and the Four Aces begin singing their harmonies, the beginning melody—played on what sounds to be a xylophone—seems to imply a distinctive cheerfulness. I picture the men in the group smiling while singing, revealing pearly white teeth, and perhaps waving striped hats above their heads in joviality. The singers sound like they might be skipping through the streets of their quiet neighborhood, much like Gene Kelly did in the 1952 movie Singing in the Rain. In addition, the ongoing drums featured give the song a constant marching feel.

The song sounds colorful and bright, happy and chirpy, as well as clean and sparkling. It brings to mind a storyboard of images, but especially conjures a summer day in a suburban town in the 1950s. The bells heard throughout the song sound like an ice cream truck driving through the neighborhood on a sunny day. The ice cream truck seems to be stopping at different parks and playgrounds, selling various flavors of ice cream, brightening the faces of the town children.

At the same time, the song makes me picture teenagers making their way to the nearest diner, in groups of five or so. They too seem to be skipping through the streets, soaking in the freedom of their homework-free summer. As they walk, one teenager, in complete excitement, mentions which tasty shake he wishes to order once he arrives at the diner. Soon enough the group reaches their destination, where they are greeted by smiling waiters, seated in stools, and given the chance to finally slurp those refreshing shakes.

“Mister Sandman” not only refers to a happy and warm summer day, but it refers to a specific cultural moment—a moment of post-war tranquility and completion of family structure (with soldiers returning home to their families.) In addition, this culture is the first to usher in a suburban lifestyle of quiet and relative calm, as it also interestingly takes to the new medium of television. The culture also valued wholesomeness, propriety, and conservatism; this is reflected in what the Four Aces request in the woman of their dreams—“complexion like peaches and cream,” and “lips like roses and clover”—as opposed to what a contemporary songwriter might ask for in a woman. The upbeat and bright nature of this song captures what was so defining about this cultural moment in time.