The pronoun used to refer to the desired dream is often changed depending on the sex of the singer or group performing the song, as the original sheet music publication, which includes male and female versions of the lyrics, intended.

[2] It was released as the B-side of "They Were Doin' the Mambo",[2][3] on RCA Victor label as catalog number 20-5767 / 47-5767.

1 on the Cash Box Top 50, in a tandem ranking of the versions by the Chordettes, the Four Aces, Buddy Morrow, Vaughn Monroe, Les Elgart, the Lancers, and the Song Singers, with the Chordettes and the Four Aces' versions marked as bestsellers.

1 on Billboard's "Honor Roll of Hits", with the Chordettes and the Four Aces' versions listed as best sellers,[8] and was ranked No.

Liberace's name is mentioned for his "wavy hair",[11] and a glissando (a flourish common in his music) immediately follows.

In 1985 The Four Aces' version was notably featured in the sci-fi movie Back to the Future in a scene when Marty McFly first realizes he is in 1955, arriving at the town's square.

[22] Atkins used the Ray Butts EchoSonic guitar amp on this recording, and was backed by celesta, piano, bass, and drums.

[22] In 1968, Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra released an instrumental version as a single and on the album My Way of Life.

[30] In January 1978,[31] Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt recorded a version of the song for a planned trio album which was ultimately scrapped.

However, when Harris later changed her mind and wanted to put the song out as a single, she rerecorded it, singing all three parts herself,[11] and releasing it in 1981, under the title "Mister Sandman".