Playlist
Return to Fantasy, released in 1975, is the eighth studio album by British rock band Uriah Heep and is widely regarded as a return to the band’s harder, more energetic sound after a period of stylistic experimentation. The album marked a renewed focus on driving rhythms, strong melodies, and powerful vocal performances, reaffirming Uriah Heep’s place among the leading hard rock bands of the 1970s.
Featuring vocalist David Byron, guitarist Mick Box, keyboardist Ken Hensley, bassist John Wetton, and drummer Lee Kerslake, the album captures a lineup at a creative crossroads. Return to Fantasy blends classic Uriah Heep elements — rich vocal harmonies and Hammond organ textures — with a more direct, riff-oriented approach that appealed strongly to rock audiences.
Tracks such as “Return to Fantasy”, “Shady Lady”, and “Prima Donna” showcase the album’s confident, upbeat energy, while deeper cuts maintain the band’s melodic depth and emotional range. Lyrically, the album moves away from heavy fantasy themes toward more personal and rock-driven narratives, reflecting both maturity and renewed intensity.
Commercially successful, Return to Fantasy helped restore Uriah Heep’s momentum in key markets, particularly in North America, and remains a fan favorite. Today, the album is often praised as a turning point in the band’s career — a moment where classic hard rock power and melodic craftsmanship aligned seamlessly.
Tracks
All tracks are written by Ken Hensley, Mick Box, David Byron and Lee Kerslake, except where noted.
| Side one | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
| 1. | “Return to Fantasy“ | Hensley, Byron | 5:52 |
| 2. | “Shady Lady“ | 4:46 | |
| 3. | “Devil’s Daughter“ | 4:48 | |
| 4. | “Beautiful Dream“ | 4:52 |
| Side two | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
| 5. | “Prima Donna“ | 3:11 | |
| 6. | “Your Turn to Remember“ | Hensley | 4:22 |
| 7. | “Showdown“ | 4:17 | |
| 8. | “Why Did You Go“ | 3:53 | |
| 9. | “A Year or a Day“ | Hensley | 4:22 |
Uriah Heep
Gallery 05
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The lineup of Uriah Heep for the album “Return to Fantasy” was as follows:
David Byron: vocals
Mick Box: guitar
Ken Hensley: keyboards, guitar
Gary Thain: bass
Lee Kerslake: drums
“Return to Fantasy” was released in 1975 and was a commercial success, reaching the top 40 in the UK and several other countries. The album is considered a classic of the hard rock genre and includes the hit single “Easy Livin’.
Uriah Heep was formed in London, England in 1969 and has gone through numerous lineup changes over the years, but these five musicians were the members of the band when “Return to Fantasy” was recorded.