Fantasy

Album

All 'N All

Label

RCA Records

Genre

Disco

Composer(s)

Maurice White;Verdine White;Eddie del Barrio

Entered Chart

Mar 4, 1978

Peak Date

Apr 22, 1978

Released

Unknown

Recorded

Unknown

Catalog #

Columbia 3-10688

B-Side

Runnin'

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