Sometimes a Fantasy

"Sometimes a Fantasy" is a song by Billy Joel released as the last single from his album Glass Houses. The single peaked at #36 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

"Sometimes a Fantasy"
Single by Billy Joel
from the album Glass Houses
B-side"All for Leyna"
Released1980
Recorded1979
Genre
Length4:19
3:40 (Album version)
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Billy Joel
Producer(s)Phil Ramone
Billy Joel singles chronology
"Don't Ask Me Why"
(1980)		 "Sometimes a Fantasy"
(1980)		 "Say Goodbye to Hollywood"
(1981)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Billboard(unrated)[1]

The song is a "melodic, fast paced rocker."[2] It starts with Joel dialing a number on a telephone (which he is depicted doing on the single cover).[2] The lyrics are about a sexually frustrated man who tries to convince his significant other to have phone sex. He explains that he is lonely since they are far away from each other (which is implied by the fact that his phone call is "long distance").

Music video

The video starts with Joel in bed, dialing a woman's number. She then picks up the phone and the music starts playing. While on the phone, Joel sings the song's lyrics to her throughout the video. Then, in the end, it turns out the entire call was just a fantasy, and no one picked up.

Other versions

The single version of "Sometimes a Fantasy" released in the United States and Canada has a running time of 4:19, making it longer than the album version, which runs at 3:40. The 45 RPM single also uses a different mix with guitars panned in different locations. The album's version ends with a fade out, while the single version does not, and instead includes Joel letting loose a Beatles' honoring yowl of "I got blisters on my blisters!",[3] a reference to Ringo Starr's outburst, "I got blisters on my fingers" at the end of "Helter Skelter".

The extended version of the song was available as a US 7" vinyl, a Canadian 7" vinyl, a US promo 7" vinyl, a US DJ-promo 12" vinyl and (at 4:22) as the Japanese B-side of "All for Leyna" (available as a 7" and a 7" promo).[4] To date, the long version is not available on any of Joel's compilation albums, reissues, and is not available in CD or mp3 format.

The single was released in other countries as a 3:39 version, namely in Australia, the Netherlands and the UK (7" promo).[4]

The official music video for this single uses an alternate vocal track, different from the album and single releases.[5]

Personnel

Chart history
Chart (1980-1981) Peak
position
Canadian Singles Chart[6] 21
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 36

References
  1. "Review: Billy Joel – Sometimes a Fantasy" (PDF). Billboard. 85 (41). 11 October 1980. p. 75. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 30 May 2020 – via American Radio History.
  2. "Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. October 11, 1980. p. 75. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  3. "Billy Joel - Sometimes A Fantasy (LONG SINGLE VERSION) (1980)". Youtube.com. Retrieved 2014-06-05.
  4. "52nd Street Serenade ♪♪: Still You're Aching For The Things You Haven't Got (1980-1982 from Glass Houses)". Billyjoel52ndstreetserenade.blogspot.co.uk. 2016-01-01. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
  5. "52nd Street Serenade ♪♪: Singles & Videos". Billyjoel52ndstreetserenade.blogspot.co.uk. 2016-01-01. Retrieved 2016-10-17.
  6. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2013-08-26.
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