 " Fantasy " is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey . It was released on September 12 , 1995 by Columbia Records as the lead single for her fifth studio album , Daydream ( 1995 ) . The song was written by Carey and Dave Hall , both serving as primary producers alongside Sean Combs . The song heavily samples Tom Tom Club 's 1981 song " Genius of Love , " and incorporates various other beats and grooves arranged by the former . The song 's lyrics describe a woman who is in love with a man , and how every time she sees him she starts fantasizing about an impossible relationship with him . The remix for the song features rap verses from Ol ' Dirty Bastard , something Carey arranged to assist in her transition into the hip @-@ hop market . 
