Wayne Fontana (born Glynn Ellis on 28 October 1945, Manchester, Lancashire)… Read Full Bio ↴Wayne Fontana (born Glynn Ellis on 28 October 1945, Manchester, Lancashire), was a popular mid sixties pop singer. In 1962, he formed his group Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders and got a recording contract. Hit tracks with The Mindbenders included 1964's UK top 5 single "Um Um Um Um Um Um", and 1965's "Game of Love" which hit US #1.

He was still under contract to Fontana Records after parting with The Mindbenders. He soldiered on alone, using musicians under the name of the Opposition. Notably, Frank Renshaw (now in the Canary Islands), Bernie Burns (drums), Roy 'Rossi' Henshall (bass) (also now Canary Islands), Rod Gerrard (guitar, ex Herman's Hermits - now in America) and Phil Keane (drums) amongst others. Sometimes they were billed as the Mindbenders, or just as the Wayne Fontana band. Fontana's most successful solo single release was also his last big hit, "Pamela, Pamela", which reached Number 11 in the UK Singles Chart early in 1967. He soldiered on, releasing several more singles including "The Impossible Years" and "24 Sycamore" in 1967 which were both hits in Australia. His last known 7" 45 rpm was released in 1976, but he continued to perform on the oldies circuit.

In 2005, long past his hit making prime, he fought off bankruptcy, but was arrested after police were called by bailiffs who went to his home in Glossop, Derbyshire. In a protest against a 570 pound London congestion fine, he poured petrol on to the bonnet of the collection baliff's car, and set it alight. After his arrest, Fontana 61, then appeared at Derby Crown Court dressed as the lady of justice, with a sword, scales, crown, cape and dark glasses, claiming he was a victim of an “establishment conspiracy” and that "justice is blind". He dismissed his lawyers On 10 November 2007, he was sentenced to 11 months for setting fire to the car but was released because he had already served the equivalent of the term, held under the UK's Mental Health Act of 1983.

Fontana told the media he would be moving to Spain after settling the legal matters.

Hello Josephine
Wayne Fontana Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hello Josephine. How do you do?
Do you remember me baby like I remember you?
You used to laugh at me and holler "Woo woo woo"

I used to walk you home
I used to hold your hand
You used to use my umbrella ev'ry time it rained
You used to cry so much it was a crying shame

Hello Josephine. How do you do?
Do you remember me baby like I remember you?
You used to laugh at me and holler 'Woo woo woo"

You used to live over yonder by the railroad track.
When it rained you couldn't walk I used to tote you on my back
Now you gotta make believe it was a thrill at that.

Hello Josephine. How do you do?

Do you remember me baby like I remember you?
You used to laugh at me and holler 'Woo woo woo"

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Wayne Fontana's "Hello Josephine" are about a man reminiscing about a past love interest. He asks, "How do you do?" suggesting that it has been a long time since they last saw each other. He then asks if she remembers him like he remembers her. It is clear that he has fond memories of their time together as he recalls how she used to laugh and holler "Woo woo woo" at him.

The man then reflects on how he used to accompany her home and hold her hand. He remembers how she would use his umbrella every time it rained and how she cried so much that it was a "cryin' shame." He then sings about how she used to live by the railroad track and how he used to carry her on his back when it rained. He recognizes that she may not have enjoyed that experience but suggests that she should pretend that it was a thrill. The song comes to an end with the man repeating the chorus and asking if she remembers their past relationship.

Overall, the lyrics paint a nostalgic picture of a past love that has been long forgotten. The man in the song seems to have held onto the memories and looks back on them with fondness, even if the relationship didn't work out.

Line by Line Meaning

Hello Josephine. How do you do?
Addressing Josephine and asking how she is.

Do you remember me baby like I remember you?
Asking if Josephine remembers the singer as vividly as the singer remembers Josephine.

You used to laugh at me and holler 'Woo woo woo'
Recalling times when Josephine would laugh at the singer and say 'Woo woo woo'.

You used to live over yonder by the railroad track.
Noting Josephine's old living location.

When it rained you couldn't walk I used to tote you on my back
Describing a time when the artist physically carried Josephine when it rained.

Now you gotta make believe it was a thrill at that.
Suggesting that Josephine may be pretending it was fun or thrilling to be carried by the singer.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANTOINE DOMINO, DAVE BARTHOLOMEW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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