The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I didn't want to do it but I got too lonely
I had to call you up in the middle of the night
I know it's awful hard to try to make love long distance
But I really needed stimulation
Though it was only my imagination
It's just a fantasy (oh oh oh oh)
It's not the real thing (oh oh oh oh)
It's just a fantasy (oh oh oh oh)
It's not the real thing (oh oh oh oh)
But sometimes a fantasy (oh oh oh oh)
Is all you need, oh oh oh
When am I gonna take control get a hold of my emotions
Why does it only seem to hit me in the middle of the night
You told me there's a number I can always dial for assistance
I don't want to deal with outside action
Only you can give me satisfaction
It's just a fantasy (oh oh oh oh)
It's not the real thing (oh oh oh oh)
It's just a fantasy (oh oh oh oh)
It's not the real thing (oh oh oh oh)
But sometimes a fantasy (oh oh oh oh)
Is all you need, oh oh oh
Sure it would be better if I had you here to hold me
Be better baby but believe me it's the next best thing
I'm sure there's many times you've wanted me to hear your secrets
Don't be afraid to say the words that move me
Anytime you want to tell them to me
It's just a fantasy
It's not the real thing
It's just a fantasy
It's not the real thing
But sometimes a fantasy
Is all you need
Just a fantasy (it's just a fantasy)
It's not the real thing (it's not the real thing)
It's just a fantasy (it's just a fantasy)
It's not the real thing (it's not the real thing)
It's just a fantasy (it's just a fantasy)
It's not the real thing (it's not the real thing)
It's just a fantasy (it's just a fantasy)
It's not the real thing (it's not the real thing)
Just a fantasy (it's just a fantasy)
It's not the real thing (it's not the real thing)
It's just a fantasy (it's just a fantasy)
It's not the real thing (it's not the real thing)
I had to call you up in the middle of the night
I know it's awful hard to try to make love long distance
But I really needed stimulation
Though it was only my imagination
It's just a fantasy (oh oh oh oh)
It's not the real thing (oh oh oh oh)
It's just a fantasy (oh oh oh oh)
It's not the real thing (oh oh oh oh)
But sometimes a fantasy (oh oh oh oh)
Is all you need, oh oh oh
When am I gonna take control get a hold of my emotions
Why does it only seem to hit me in the middle of the night
You told me there's a number I can always dial for assistance
I don't want to deal with outside action
Only you can give me satisfaction
It's just a fantasy (oh oh oh oh)
It's not the real thing (oh oh oh oh)
It's just a fantasy (oh oh oh oh)
It's not the real thing (oh oh oh oh)
But sometimes a fantasy (oh oh oh oh)
Is all you need, oh oh oh
Sure it would be better if I had you here to hold me
Be better baby but believe me it's the next best thing
I'm sure there's many times you've wanted me to hear your secrets
Don't be afraid to say the words that move me
Anytime you want to tell them to me
It's just a fantasy
It's not the real thing
It's just a fantasy
It's not the real thing
But sometimes a fantasy
Is all you need
Just a fantasy (it's just a fantasy)
It's not the real thing (it's not the real thing)
It's just a fantasy (it's just a fantasy)
It's not the real thing (it's not the real thing)
It's just a fantasy (it's just a fantasy)
It's not the real thing (it's not the real thing)
It's just a fantasy (it's just a fantasy)
It's not the real thing (it's not the real thing)
Just a fantasy (it's just a fantasy)
It's not the real thing (it's not the real thing)
It's just a fantasy (it's just a fantasy)
It's not the real thing (it's not the real thing)
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I listened to this song for the first time in about 2 years today. I had kind of passed it off, but I forgot how much of a good tight smooth beat the verse had, especially with the snare. Musically overlooked at best.
I agree with amishgirl in the sense that they don't have much of a personal relationship but that it's all phone sex. It might even be a sex hotline he's calling, not a real person. He seems too emotionally detached especially in the first verse when he's feeling slightly guilty and he's bashing himself about the head to get some extra sympathy to whomever he's talking to.
But yeah, essentially phone sex.