Fantasy

Released as the lead single from Mariah's Daydream album, “Fantasy” made its radio debut on August 23, 1995. The song is co-produced by Mariah and Dave Hall, who had previously worked together on Mariah's 1993 single “Dreamlover,” and contains a sample of Tom Tom Club's “Genius Of Love.” “‘Genius Of Love’ was one of my favorite songs growing up,” Mariah told MTV in 1995. “I heard it on the radio recently and I had this other idea for the verses and the chorus of my song and I thought that it would be really cool to incorporate the two.”

“It was a fun song to do,” Hall explained. “Mariah brought me ‘Genius Of Love’ and I laid some strings on it and put it to a groove that I feel would really fit her. And that song didn't take us but a minute to do, because she really busted that out within two days. We did a rough copy and let Tommy Mottola hear it and he loved it, so all we had to do was bring it back in and mix it down.”

After its commercial release in the United States on September 12, 1995, “Fantasy” made chart history by becoming the first song by a female artist to ever debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and the second single in chart history to enter at the top, after Michael Jackson's “You Are Not Alone.” “Fantasy” topped the chart for eight consecutive weeks and was certified 5x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on March 27, 2022.

The song was also an international hit, becoming Mariah's first number-one single in Australia, where it was certified 2x Platinum on September 16, 2019, and peaking at number four in the United Kingdom, where it was certified Platinum by the British Phonographic Industry on July 10 2020.

Mariah revisited “Fantasy” in 2022, re-recording the first verse for the remix of Latto's “Big Energy,” which also samples Tom Tom Club's “Genius Of Love.” “I didn't even believe it,” Latto told Variety. “When we first started talking about ‘Big Energy’ remix shortly after the original dropped, of course off rip I'm like, ‘Mariah.’ But at the same time, I'm like let's be realistic, so I start thinking of other options because I'm like, ‘I would love Mariah but I could never get that.’ Come to find out, she was down to do it, and that alone just blew my mind. But even further than that, she was so dope to work with and such a humble spirit and a refresher in an industry full of madness. She was definitely a breath of fresh air.” Following the release of the Mariah remix of “Big Energy,” the song rose to number three on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Latto's first Top 10.

Remixes

The Bad Boy Remix of “Fantasy” was produced by Sean “Puffy” Combs and features Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard. The remix would not only become one of Mariah's most popular songs, it would also have an undeniable impact on the music industry. “Doing ‘Fantasy’ with O.D.B. in '95 was not exactly a pop move, that was way before ‘Ghetto Supastar’ — it wasn't like every little pop singer in the land was using him. I was just a fan of Wu Tang and I was a fan of his,” Mariah explained. “I pulled the wool over my record company's eyes, because they had no idea what or who I was talking about when I mentioned O.D.B. That record was also the first time I worked with Puffy. It was a turning point for me because it was an official street record. I'd be walking around New York and hear it blasting out of Jeeps.”

Music journalist John Norris, among many others, praised Mariah for the collaboration's influence. “The ‘Fantasy’ remix was responsible for, I would argue, an entire way of music that we've seen since: the Pop/Hip-Hop collaboration. You could argue that that ‘Fantasy’ remix was the single most important recording that she ever made.”

For the dance remixes, Mariah got back in the studio with David Morales and recorded new vocals. The “Fantasy” club remixes took the song to the top of Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart on October 21, 1995.

Music Video

The music video for “Fantasy” marked Mariah's directorial debut and was filmed at Rye Playland in Rye, NY. “It's not about like ‘Whoa! I want to be a director now!’ It's just to get the result that I want.” A video was also produced for the Bad Boy Remix of the song. “It was actually a last minute decision to do the remix video,” Mariah told ET in 1995. “I knew that I wanted to do it but it was such an undertaking to direct the video and to be in the video that you're directing, it's a big deal.” MTV exclusively premiered the music video during the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards pre-game show, on September 7, 1995.

Live Performances

Releases

United States

In the United States, the “Fantasy” Single, available on CD and Cassette, includes the Album Version and the Bad Boy with O.D.B. remix. The Maxi Single, also issued on both CD and Cassette, includes three Bad Boy remixes — Bad Boy Fantasy, Bad Boy with O.D.B. and Bad Boy Mix — and the Def Club Mix, produced by David Morales. A double 12" Vinyl was also available, including four Bad Boy remixes — Puffy's Mix, Puffy's Club Mix, Bad Boy Mix and Bad Boy with O.D.B. — and four Morales remixes — Def Club Mix, MC Mix, The Boss Mix and Sweet Dub Mix.

Europe

The “Fantasy” Single, including the Album Version and the Bad Boy remix with O.D.B., was issued on CD and 7" Vinyl in Europe. The Maxi Single, issued on CD, features the same tracklist as the American Maxi Single: Album Version, Bad Boy Fantasy, Bad Boy with O.D.B., Bad Boy Mix and Def Club Mix. The double 12" Vinyl was also available in Europe, with the same remixes as the American release.

United Kingdom

In the UK, the “Fantasy” single was only released on Cassette, while the Maxi Single saw two CD releases. CD one focusing on the Bad Boy remixes of the song, while also including the Def Club Mix, produced by David Morales. CD two contains three Morales remixes — MC Mix, The Boss Mix and Sweet Dub Mix — and two Bad Boy Remixes — Puffy's Mix and Puffy's Club Mix.

Australia

Australia also saw the release of two “Fantasy” Maxi Singles, both available on both CD and Cassette. The first Maxi Single was the same as the one released in the United States in Europe, including the Album Version, the Bad Boy remixes and the Def Club Mix. The second “Fantasy” Maxi Single, titled The Remixes, features four remixes by David Morales (including the rare Radio Mix) and the Puffy's Club Mix.

Japan

In Japan, “Fantasy” was released on a 3" CD single including the Album Version and Bad Boy with O.D.B. version of the song.

Special Editions

On March 11, 2022, Urban Outfitters released an exclusive limited edition of the “Fantasy” single pressed on pink vinyl, including the album version and the Bad Boy with O.D.B. remix.

Available on

Lyrics

Album Version

When you walk by every night
Talking sweet and looking fine
I get kind of hectic inside
Baby, I'm so into you
Darling, if you only knew
All the things that flow through my mind
But it's just a

Sweet sweet fantasy baby
When I close my eyes
You come and you take me
On and on and on
It's so deep in my daydreams
But it's just a sweet sweet fantasy baby

Images of rapture
Creep into me slowly
As you're going to my head
And my heart beats faster
When you take me over
Time and time and time again
But it's just a

Sweet sweet fantasy baby
When I close my eyes
You come and you take me
On and on and on
It's so deep in my daydreams
But it's just a sweet sweet fantasy baby

I'm in heaven
With my boyfriend
My laughing boyfriend
There's no beginning and there is no end
Feels like I'm dreaming but I'm not sleeping
It's just a

Sweet sweet fantasy baby
When I close my eyes
You come and you take me
On and on and on
It's so deep in my daydreams
But it's just a sweet sweet fantasy baby


Lyrics: Mariah Carey, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth. Music: Mariah Carey, Dave Hall, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, Adrian Belew, Steven Stanley.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Dave Hall.

Bad Boy With O.D.B.

O.D.B.:
Keepin' it real, son
The shining star
You're my shining star, girl
Yo, New York in the house
Is Brooklyn in the house
Uptown in the house
Shaolin are you in the house
Boogie Down are you in the house
Sacramento in the house
Atlanta Georgia are you in the house
West Coast are you in the house
Japan are you in the house
Everybody are you in the house
Baby, baby come on
Baby come on, baby come on

Mariah:
When you walk by every night
Talking sweet and looking fine
I get kind of hectic inside
Baby, I'm so into you
Darling, if you only knew
All the things that flow through my mind
But it's just a

I'm in heaven
With my boyfriend
My laughing boyfriend
There's no beginning and there is no end
Feels like I'm dreaming but I'm not sleeping

Sweet fantasy
In my fantasy
Sweet fantasy
Sweet, sweet fantasy

Images of rapture
Creep into me slowly
As you're going to my head
And my heart beats faster
When you take me over
Time and time and time again
But it's just a

I'm in heaven
With my boyfriend
My laughing boyfriend
There's no beginning and there is no end
Feels like I'm dreaming but I'm not sleeping

Sweet fantasy
Sweet fantasy
It's just a sweet

I'm in heaven
With my boyfriend
My laughing boyfriend
There's no beginning and there is no end
Feels like I'm dreaming but I'm not sleeping

O.D.B.:
Ladies and Gentlemen
Introducing the Old, Dirty, Doggy
Here we go now
Me and Mariah
Go back like babies with pacifiers
Old Dirt Dog's no liar
Keep the fantasy hot like fire
Jump, jump, let me see you do the stomp
Girls, let me see you shake your rump
Brothers, hit it from the back and front
And let's do it, do it, do the hump
I'm a little bit of country
I'm a little bit of rock and roll
And I'm soul to soul
Big letters all big and bold
Old Dirty Bastard across the globe

Mariah:
I'm in heaven
With my boyfriend
My laughing boyfriend
There's no beginning and there is no end
Feels like I'm dreaming but I'm not sleeping

Mariah / Puffy:
What you gonna do when you get outta jail (I'm gonna do a remix)
What you gonna do when you get outta jail (I'm gonna do a remix)
What you gonna do when you get outta jail (I'm gonna have some fun)
What you gonna do when you get outta jail (I'm gonna have some fun)

Mariah:
I'm in heaven
With my boyfriend
My laughing boyfriend
There's no beginning and there is no end
Feels like I'm dreaming but I'm not sleeping

I'm in heaven
With my boyfriend
My laughing boyfriend
There's no beginning and there is no end
Feels like I'm dreaming but I'm not sleeping


Lyrics: Mariah Carey, Russell Jones, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth. Music: Mariah Carey, Dave Hall, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, Adrian Belew, Steven Stanley.
Produced by Sean “Puffy” Combs.

Def Club Mix

On and on and on
So sweet, yeah
Ooh…
On and on and on
On and on and on and on
Sweet, sweet

When I close my eyes
You come and take me
So deep
Sweet, sweet
Fantasy

Sweet sweet fantasy baby
When I close my eyes
You come and you take me
On and on and on
It's so deep in my daydreams
But it's just a sweet
Sweet fantasy baby

Sweet sweet fantasy baby
When I close my eyes
You come and you take me
On and on and on
It's so deep in my daydreams
But it's just a sweet
Sweet fantasy baby

When you walk by every night
Talking sweet and looking fine
I get kind of hectic inside
Oh baby, I'm so into you
Darling, if you only knew
All the things that flow through my mind
But it's just a

Sweet sweet fantasy baby
When I close my eyes
You come and you take me
On and on and on
It's so deep in my daydreams
But it's just a sweet
Sweet fantasy baby

Sweet sweet fantasy baby
When I close my eyes
You come and you take me
On and on and on
It's so deep in my daydreams
But it's just a sweet
Sweet fantasy baby
Fantasy

Images of rapture
Creep into me slowly
As you're going to my head
And my heart beats faster
When you take me over
Time and time and time again
But it's just a

Sweet sweet fantasy baby
When I close my eyes
You come and you take me
On and on and on
It's so deep in my daydreams
But it's just a sweet
Sweet fantasy baby

Sweet sweet fantasy baby
When I close my eyes
You come and you take me
On and on and on
It's so deep in my daydreams
But it's just a sweet
Sweet fantasy baby
Fantasy

Fantasy… fantasy… fantasy… fantasy…

It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet, sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet, sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet, sweet

I'm in heaven
With my boyfriend
My laughing boyfriend
There's no beginning and there is no end
Feels like I'm dreaming but I'm not sleeping

It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a…
It's just a…

Sweet, sweet fantasy
Sweet, sweet fantasy
Sweet…
Sweet…
Sweet…
A sweet, sweet
It's just a…
It's just a…
Sweet, sweet fantasy
Sweet, sweet fantasy
It's just a sweet, sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet, sweet
It's just a sweet, sweet
It's just a sweet, sweet
It's just a sweet
It's just a sweet, sweet
It's just a sweet
Oh…

It's just a sweet
It's just so sweet
It's just a sweet, sweet
It's just a sweet
It is so sweet
It's just a sweet, sweet
It is so sweet
It's just a sweet, sweet, sweet

Fantasy, fantasy, fantasy, fantasy, fantasy, fantasy, fantasy, fantasy
Fantasy, fantasy, fantasy, fantasy, fantasy, fantasy, fantasy, fantasy

It's so sweet
And every night you creep into my dreams
Fantasy
It's so deep, but it's a fantasy

Every night you
Creep into my dreams
It's so real
It's just a sweet
It is a sweet

It seems so real
Fantasy
You seem so real
You touch me
You come into my dreams
Come to me
But it's just a fantasy
It feels so sweet
But it's just a dream
Oh baby it's just a sweet
Fantasy


Lyrics: Mariah Carey. Music: David Morales.
Produced by David Morales.