"Sometimes a Fantasy" by Billy Joel

Song#:  0365
Date:  10/11/1980
Debut:  78
Peak:  36
Weeks:  9
Genre:  Rock, New Wave



Pop Bits:  Joel's "Glass Houses" was still doing well when this fourth single was lifted for release. The song, which basically is about the narrator trying to talk his girlfriend into having phone sex, put him back in more of a rock mode after the AC-leaning previous single "Don't Ask Me Why" (#19 pop, #1 AC). Having four Top 40 hits from this one album most likely helped Joel secure a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year.

ReduxReview:  This song is a bit frustrating for me. I really like this song, but as I've mentioned before I don't think Joel is a rocker and I think he tends to overcompensate. I understand what he is trying to do here, but the way he presents his voice is too over-the-top and annoying. Luckily, the song is strong enough to overcome his fake-rock voice.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  The album version of this song has a fade-out and has been the standard one used for all his compilations. However, the original 45 single version was the complete song that lasts another 40 seconds and ends chaotically with Joel yelling "I've got blisters on my blisters!" That phrase was a nod to The Beatles' "Helter Skelter" where Ringo screams "I've got blisters on my fingers." Joel's extended version still only resides on 45 and has not been issued on any other format. (I've posted a video above that plays the 45 version.)

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