Peak
32
Weeks
15
Score
1,401
Chart Year
1978
The accompanying music video for "Fantasy" was directed by Neil Thompson
Earth, Wind & Fire made a smooth transition into the disco era, adapting their R&B sound to the new groove. "Fantasy," written by group members Maurice and Verdine White along with the keyboard player/composer Eddie del Barrio, fit right in at Studio 54, but also had a deeper meaning, which was typical of Maurice White's productions: he would put a message on top of an infectious beat. Talking about the message in this song, Maurice told Melody Maker: "The song 'Fantasy' is motivated about escapism in the sense of living on a world that is untrue, a world that is unjust, a world that is very selfish and envious, there is a place that everyone can escape to which is their own fantasy. I had to write the song in the sense of sharing this place with people. It's an escape mechanism." "Fantasy" is a showcase for EWF singer Phillip Bailey, who could handle the very high vocal range. The day he recorded his vocal, he got elbowed in the mouth playing basketball, so he did it that night with a loose tooth and busted lip. Black Box hit #5 in the UK with their 1990 remake of this song. Their version features lead vocals by Martha Wash, who was also a singer in C+C Music Factory. Movies that have used this song include Private Lessons (1981) and Be Cool (2005). It was also featured in the TV show Everybody Hates Chris.
Every man has a place, in his heart there's a space And the world can't erase his fantasies Take a ride in the sky, on our ship, Fantasii All your dreams will come true, right away And we will live together Until the twelfth of never Our voices will ring forever As one Every thought is a dream, rushing by in a stream Bringing life to the kingdom of doing Take a ride in the sky, on our ship, Fantasii All your dreams will come true, miles away Our voices will ring together Until the twelfth of never We all will live, love forever As one Come to see, victory In a land called, "Fantasy" Loving life, for you and me To behold, to your soul is ecstasy You will find (you will find) other kind (other kind) That has been in search of you Many lives has brought you to Recognize (recognize) it's your life now in review (ooh) And as you stay for the play Fantasy has in store for you Glowing light will see you through It's your day, shining day All your dreams come true (ahh-ohh) Come to see victory In a land called, "Fantasy" Loving life for you and me To behold, to your soul is ecstasy (ahh-ahh) You will find (ooh) other kind That has been in search of you Many lives has brought you to Recognize, it's your life now in review (ahh-ohh) Ohh, ohh, oh, ohh
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar 4, 1978 | 77 | 49 |
| 2 | Mar 11, 1978 | 65 | 61 |
| 3 | Mar 18, 1978 | 54 | 72 |
| 4 | Mar 25, 1978 | 44 | 82 |
| 5 | Apr 1, 1978 | 40 | 86 |
| 6 | Apr 8, 1978 | 38 | 88 |
| 7 | Apr 15, 1978 | 34 | 92 |
| 8 | Apr 22, 1978 | 32 | 94 |
| 9 | Apr 29, 1978 | 32 | 94 |
| 10 | May 6, 1978 | 47 | 79 |
| 11 | May 13, 1978 | 62 | 64 |
| 12 | May 20, 1978 | 71 | 55 |
| 13 | May 27, 1978 | 81 | 45 |
| 14 | Jun 3, 1978 | 81 | 45 |
| 15 | Jun 10, 1978 | 100 | 26 |