Fantasy (Jade Thirlwall song)

After releasing her first promotional single "Midnight Cowboy", Jade announced on her social media pages the title, release date and cover artwork for "Fantasy". Megan Armstrong of Uproxx predicted that the singer would continue her "impressive stretch" with the song.^[5] In an interview with The Face, Jade described it as "a disco track" with vocal influences of Donna Summer. Dubbed a "love song but more kinky", it lyrics are focused around sexual fantasies and feeling safe enough with someone to tell them what you want to do.^[6] The music video was filmed in Los Angeles and directed by David LaChapelle.^[7][8]

"Fantasy" was co-written and composed by Jade Thirlwall, Mike Sabath and Pablo Bowman while production was handled by Sabath, a day after "Angel of My Dreams" was penned in Los Angeles. Musically, it has been described as a funk^[9][10] and disco^[9][11] song lyrically centred around subject matters including femininity, sexuality, sex-positivity, sexual desires, and sexual fantasies.^[12]

Upon release the song received positive reviews. In an exclusive first-listen with Official Charts Company, George Griffiths described Fantasy "as JADE pushing pop boundaries". They drew musical comparisons to American acts including Chic, Nile Rodgers, Mariah Carey and to English singer Raye concluding that it had influences of 70's funk, and 80's post-disco.^[13] For Dork, Abigail Firth wrote that "'Fantasy' was making Jade one of the most exciting acts in British pop". In their review they added how "Fantasy" resembles Jessie Ware's album What's Your Pleasure? (2020), and incorporates disco sounds from Dua Lipa's second studio album, Future Nostalgia (2020). Influences were also compared to Diana Ross, Kylie Minogue, Tove Lo, and SG Lewis.^[11]

Writing for Clash, Shahzaib Hussain wrote "'Fantasy' is an irresistible assemblage of post-gay disco liberation, processed by ASMR purrs and ecstatic vocal ululations, all melting into a euphoric club-ready mix that speaks to the judgement free zone Jade is rendering".^[14]

On 19 October 2024, Thirlwall performed "Fantasy", alongside her debut single "Angel of My Dreams" on Later... with Jools Holland.^[15] On 25 October, Thirlwall performed the song and a cover of "Backbone" by Chase & Status and Stormzy on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.^[16] On 31 December, Thirlwall performed the single and a medley cover of "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer and "Knock on Wood" by Eddie Floyd on Jools' Annual Hootenanny.^[17]

7-inch vinyl, cassette and CD single^[18][19][20]

1. "Fantasy" – 3:36
2. "Midnight Cowboy" – 3:32

Streaming/digital download^[21]

1. "Fantasy" – 3:36

Streaming/digital download – Alex Chapman remix^[22]

1. "Fantasy" (Alex Chapman remix) – 2:54

Streaming/digital download – BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge^[23]

1. "Fantasy" (BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge) – 3:13
2. "Backbone" (BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge) – 2:37

Streaming/digital download – featuring Channel Tres^[24]

1. "Fantasy" (featuring Channel Tres) – 3:36