Sometimes a Fantasy

Infobox Single
Name = Sometimes a Fantasy


Artist = Billy Joel
from Album = Glass Houses
B-side = "All for Leyna"
Released = 1980
Format = 7"
Recorded = 1979
Genre = Rock
Length = 3:40
Label = Columbia
Writer = Billy Joel
Producer = Phil Ramone
Certification =
Last single = "Don't Ask Me Why" (1980)
This single = "Sometimes a Fantasy" (1980)
Next single = "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" (Live) (1981)

"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 U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

The song starts with Joel dialing a number on a telephone (which he is depicted doing on the single cover). The lyrics revealed that it is the middle of the night and he didn't really want to do it but he did it because he got too lonely ("I didn't wanna do it but I got too lonely / I had to call you up at the middle of night"). The song also may refer to wanting to make love on the phone ("I know it's also hard to try and make a love long distance"). Joel then states that "it's just a fantasy / it's not the real thing" and that sometimes "it's all you need."

Music video

The video starts with Joel in bed and 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. Single version features a parody of The Beatles song Helter Skelter. "I've got blisters on my blisters!"

Chart positions