Fantasy Island (M People song)

Last updated

"Fantasy Island"
Fantasy Island (M People single - cover art).jpg
Single by M People
from the album Fresco
B-side "Remixes"
Released24 November 1997
Genre House [1]
Length4:08
Label M People Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) M People
M People singles chronology
"Just for You"
(1997)		"Fantasy Island"
(1997)		"Angel St"
(1998)
Music video
"Fantasy Island" on YouTube

"Fantasy Island" is a song by British band M People, released as the second single from their fourth album, Fresco (1997). It is written by Mike Pickering, Paul Heard and Heather Small, and produced by M People. The song was released on 24 November 1997 and peaked at number thirty three on the UK Singles Chart.

Contents

Background

The band's previous single, "Just for You", had proved that despite a lengthy break, M People were still very much in demand. Just for You had secured another Top 10 sales chart entry in the UK and five other European countries and a number one airplay hit for three weeks in the UK. The parent album Fresco had already gone platinum (with sales of over 850,000) and had charted at number 2.

Ahead of their sold-out 18 date Fresco Tour, M People's second single was released. "Fantasy Island" is a song relaying the virtues of living and wishing for a utopia. Heather sings of various dream situations where the world gets along, politician speak the truth, there's sunshine and laughter, Muslims are embracing Jews; Love being the message and the word. Very much a song that both proclaims the aspects of life that people dream of but are far removed from the reality, hence the 'fantasy'. It also projects the constant M People mottos of achieving and striving to survive.

The melody line is supported by programmed drumming, insistent synth effects, piano riffs (by pianist Terry Burrus), strings and a strong wind section throughout, supported by a deep moog bass line and subtle 'blowy' synths throughout. Critics of the song stated that the piano and trumpet/saxophone riff used an uncredited sample or that the lyrical content was 'benign and sickly'.

Promotion

Due to tour commitments, the single only received national promotion by the band in the actual week of release, with them appearing on The National Lottery Live Show where Heather first revealed that the big hair (that she had become synonymous with) had disappeared after five years and they also appeared on Philip Schofield's Talking Telephone Numbers. The video had been also been shown on The Chart Show and Live and Kicking.

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the song as "catchy house" and picked it as one of the highlights on the album Fresco. [2]

Chart performance

"Fantasy Island" was released in one of the busiest release weeks of the year with 15 of the top 40 songs being new releases competing with Boyzone, The Verve and Kylie Minogue, to name a few. In the week of release, the song surprised and disappointed most expectations to only chart and stall at number 33, their lowest chart entry since "Someday", their third single six years previously. However, lead singer, Heather Small had scored her first ever number one for the charity single "Perfect Day" as a prominent featured artist in a stella and varied line-up for Children in Need.

Despite the relatively lower sales chart position, the single spent a total of nine weeks on the chart, longer than any of the last five singles since "Sight for Sore Eyes" in 1994. This nine-week sojourn also included the first and only ever re-entry for an M People single when it charted for one week at number 69 after a month being out of the Top 75, finally leaving at the end of February 1998. This was due to instrumental versions of the songs being widely used as soundtracks to promote everything from The Clothes Show and Grandstand to other sports review shows.

"Fantasy Island" number 33 sales chart placing had no massive effect on the fortunes of parent album Fresco's already sizeable sales which meant it hovered between numbers 15 and 20 on the UK Album Chart for eight weeks bring the album closer to 850,000 copies shipped, buoyed on by the sell-out UK Fresco Tour.

Airplay

The single was serviced to radio 1 November 1997, three weeks before physical release., half the length of time that Just for you was serviced to radio. It entered the Airplay chart at number 55 while previous single Just for You still had enormous support charting that week at number 8 following its three-week sojourn atop the chart. Radio was quick to follow up on M People's return and the single soared to 21 the following week to 12 prior to release. It then peaked at number 8 while the single charted at 33, reflecting the same situation as Love Rendezvous from Bizarre Fruit II (1995). Radio support for the song continued despite its lower chart position helping the single to consistently maintain its level of sales.

The single became their 16th consecutive Top 40 hit and their 11th consecutive Top 10 Airplay Hit.

Music video

The music video of "Fantasy Island" was directed by Matt Broadley. [3] The four main members of the band plus, Sarah Brown and Paul Johnson on backing vocals, and Snake Davis on sax play and sing along to the song on a large rotating platform. Heather dressed in a long yellow dress is in the fore and the band perform around her. As the stage rotates, clouds move around the perimeter and various ethnic minorities and types act out the lyrical content of the song; children are playing, a punk communicates to the wider world on his laptop and various people jump into the clouds and the unknown, while all this goes on, M People continue to rotate like the globe, surrounded by a sky-blue coloured effect and Heather sings with her arms outstretched dancing along to the happy vibe.

Remixes

There were three main remixes that appeared on the single, by New York DJ/producer David Morales, the soulful D'Influence and by UK dance duo M+S with their Epic Club Mix. Also included on the single are the radio edit and album versions.

Track listings

  1. Fantasy Island (Radio Edit) 4.00
  2. Fantasy Island (Def Club Mix) 10.33
  1. Fantasy Island (Radio Edit) 4.00
  2. Fantasy Island (Def Club Mix) 10.33
  3. Fantasy Island (M+S Epic Club Mix) 8.00
  4. Fantasy Island (D’Influence Dimensional Club Mix) 6.54
  5. Fantasy Island (Album Version) 5.41

Charts

Chart (1997)Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders) [4] 15
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [5] 63
Germany (Official German Charts) [6] 76
Hungary (Mahasz) [7] 4
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) [8] 38
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [9] 39
Scotland (OCC) [10] 34
UK Singles (OCC)33

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M People</span> English house music band

M People is an English dance music band that formed in 1990 and achieved success throughout most of the 1990s. The name M People is taken from the first letter of the first name of band member Mike Pickering, who formed the group. In December 2016, Billboard magazine ranked them as the 83rd most successful dance act of all time. M People have sold over 11 million records worldwide

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Is a Call</span> 1995 single by Foo Fighters

"This Is a Call" is a song by American rock band Foo Fighters, released as the lead single from the band's 1995 self-titled debut album. Released in June 1995, it is one of many songs Dave Grohl wrote and performed on the album when Foo Fighters was a one-man band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When I Grow Up (Garbage song)</span> 1999 single by Garbage

"When I Grow Up" is a 1998 song written, recorded and produced by alternative rock band Garbage. The song was released as the fourth international single to be taken from the band's multi-platinum second album Version 2.0 over the course of the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Think I'm Paranoid</span> 1998 single by Garbage

"I Think I'm Paranoid" is a song written, performed and produced by Garbage and was the second single released from their second album Version 2.0.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milk (Garbage song)</span> 1996 single by Garbage

"Milk" is a song written and produced by American alternative rock band Garbage from their self-titled debut studio album (1995). The song was released internationally the following year as the album's fifth and final single. Garbage collaborated with English trip hop musician Tricky on a new version of "Milk" for single release. Much media comment was made regarding a rumoured fall-out over the sessions, when it became known that Garbage produced a further mix of "Milk" that only incorporated Tricky's vocals from that session.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Wanna Lose This Feeling</span> 2003 single by Dannii Minogue

"Don't Wanna Lose This Feeling" is a song by Australian singer Dannii Minogue from her fourth studio album, Neon Nights (2003). It was written by the singer with Bruno Alexandre, Matthieu Joly, James Theochari and Camille Troillard of Neimo; and with Minogue's long-time collaborator Terry Ronald.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tell Me When</span> 1994 single by The Human League

"Tell Me When" is a song by British synthpop group the Human League, released as the first single from their seventh album, Octopus (1995). Written jointly by lead singer Philip Oakey and Paul C. Beckett, it was produced by Ian Stanley. It peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart, while reaching number four on the UK Dance Chart. In the US, it peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 15 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and number eight on the Cash Box Top 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Got the Love</span> Single by The Source featuring Candi Staton

"You Got the Love" is a song by British songwriting team The Source featuring American singer-songwriter Candi Staton. Originally released in 1986, the song was remixed and re-released in 1991, 1997, and 2006. It reached number three on the UK Singles Chart, number two on the UK Dance Singles Chart and number one on the UK Club Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One Night in Heaven</span> 1993 single by M People

"One Night in Heaven" is a song by British band M People, released as their sixth overall single and the first single from their second album, Elegant Slumming (1993). Written by band members Mike Pickering and Paul Heard, it was released on 14 June 1993 by Deconstruction Records. The song was successful in Europe, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart. In Iceland, it reached number five, while peaking at number 26 on the Eurochart Hot 100. Its accompanying music video was filmed in Barcelona, Sitges and Montserrat in Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Search for the Hero</span> 1995 single by M People

"Search for the Hero" is a song by British dance music band M People, released in June 1995 as the third single (remixed) from their third album, Bizarre Fruit (1994). It was written by bandmembers Mike Pickering and Paul Heard, and produced by the band. The song peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart, number 13 on the UK Dance Singles Chart and number three on the UK R&B Singles Chart. Its accompanying music video was directed by Matthew Amos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just for You (M People song)</span> 1997 single by M People

"Just for You" is the fifteenth overall single from British band M People. It is the lead single from their fourth album, Fresco (1997). Written by Mike Pickering, Paul Heard and Heather Small. Produced by M People. It was released on 22 September 1997. The song peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anything (Culture Beat song)</span> 1993 single by Culture Beat

"Anything" is a song recorded by German Eurodance group Culture Beat, released in December 1993 as the third single from their second album, Serenity (1993). Written by Nosie Katzmann with Jay Supreme, Torsten Fenslau and Peter Zweie, the song was very successful on the charts in Europe. It reached the top 5 in at least nine countries, including Belgium, France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. A music video was produced to promote the song, directed by Matt Broadley and filmed in London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sight for Sore Eyes</span> 1994 single by M People

"Sight for Sore Eyes" is the tenth overall single from British band M People from their third album, Bizarre Fruit (1994). Written by bandmembers Mike Pickering, Paul Heard and Heather Small, and produced by M People, it was released as the album's lead single on 7 November 1994. The song peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart and number four on the UK Dance Singles Chart, becoming the band's sixth consecutive single to enter the UK top 10. Its music video was directed by Terence Donovan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renaissance (song)</span> 1994 single by M People

"Renaissance" is a song by British electronic group M People, released on 28 February 1994 as the fourth and final single from their second album, Elegant Slumming (1994). In Australia, it was released as the third single from the album. It was written by Mike Pickering and Paul Heard and produced by M People. The song peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart following the band's first win for Best British Dance Act at the 1994 BRIT Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Can I Love You More?</span>

"How Can I Love You More" is a song by British band M People, released as the first single from their debut album, Northern Soul (1991). The song was written by band members Mike Pickering and Paul Heard, and produced by M People. It was first released in October 1991 by Deconstruction Records, peaking at number 29 and then re-released on 25 January 1993 by same label with several new remixes. The song was a bigger hit and peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Open Your Heart (M People song)</span> 1995 single by M People

"Open Your Heart" is a song by British band M People, released in January 1995 as the second single from their third album, Bizarre Fruit (1994). It was written by bandmembers Mike Pickering and Paul Heard, and produced by the band. The song peaked at number nine on the UK Singles Chart, and was a top 10 hit also in Finland and Scotland. In the US, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Rendezvous</span> 1995 single by M People

"Love Rendezvous" is a song by British band M People, released in 1995 as the fourth single from their third album, Bizarre Fruit/Bizarre Fruit II (1994). Written by Mike Pickering, Paul Heard and Heather Small, and produced by M People, the song was released on 14 October after the band's world tour. It peaked at number thirty two on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angel St</span> 1998 single by M People

"Angel St" is the thirteenth single by British band M People, released on 16 March 1998. "Angel St" is the third and final single from M People's 1997 album Fresco. The song was written by Mike Pickering, Paul Heard and Heather Small and produced by M People and Chris Lord-Alge. The song peaked at number eight on UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Testify (M People song)</span> 1998 single by M People

"Testify" is the eighteenth overall single from British band M People. It is the lead single from their greatest hits albums, The Best of M People and, in North America, Testify. It was written by Mike Pickering, Paul Heard and Heather Small, and produced by M People. The single was released on 26 October 1998 and peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. It also peaked at number 10 in Scotland and number 66 on the Eurochart Hot 100 in November 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreaming (M People song)</span> 1999 single by M People

"Dreaming" is the nineteenth and to date final single from British band M People. It was released on 1 February 1999 as the second single from their first greatest hits album, The Best of M People (1998). The song is written by bandmembers Mike Pickering, Paul Heard and Heather Small, and produced by M People and Chris Lord-Alge. It peaked at number thirteen on the UK Singles Chart.

References

  1. ↑ Fresco - M People | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
  2. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "M People - Fresco". AllMusic . Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  3. ↑ "Credits - Matt Broadley". mattbroadley.com. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  4. ↑ "M People – Fantasy Island" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  5. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . 13 December 1997. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  6. ↑ "M People - Fantasy Island". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  7. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media . 28 February 1998. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  8. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 257 Vikuna 29.1. - 5.2. 1998)" (PDF) (in Icelandic). Dagblaðið Vísir. Retrieved 5 July 2018.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  9. ↑ "M People - Fantasy Island". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  10. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 14 June 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.