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.
Pamela Pamela
Wayne Fontana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remember the days
Of inkwells and apples
And books and school plays
Where little Brer Rabbit kissed Pooh in the wood
And Fluff was the cat that sat on the rug
Oh, Pamela
I remember so well
When Laurel and Hardy were shown at the flicks
With sticky red lollies on splintery sticks
Pigtails and ribbons and crushes on miss
Secret discussions about a first kiss
But you were young
And everything was new
Impatient to do things you couldn't do
Oh, Pamela, Pamela
You started to grow
Answers to questions you wanted to know
When the rest of your childhood
Forgets as a dream
And the harshness of life
Dims those peaches and cream
When Laurel and Hardy were shown at the flicks
With sticky red lollies on splintery sticks
Pigtails and ribbons and crushes on miss
Secret discussions about a first kiss
But you were young
And everything was new
Impatient to do things you couldn't do
The song "Pamela Pamela" by Wayne Fontana is a sentimental reflection on the innocence and joys of childhood. Throughout the lyrics, the singer remembers the days when life was full of wonder and imagination, communal experiences such as school plays, and a love for the classic films featuring beloved characters like Laurel and Hardy. Nostalgia runs deeply throughout the song, and the chorus delivers a sad contrast from the joyous memories of past childhood experiences. The song talks about how the world changes as we grow older, and how the innocence and simplicity of youth are replaced by the harshness and complexities of reality. The singer speaks specifically to Pamela, perhaps a former love or friend, and longs for the days of childhood to return.
The lyrics use imagery and references to classic stories and characters of youth, such as Brer Rabbit and Pooh, to evoke a sense of nostalgia and fondness for a simpler time. They also mention crushes, secret discussions, and the longing for first kisses, which are all common experiences of growing up. The song captures the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia and the cherished memories of youth while acknowledging the realities of aging and the loss of innocence.
Line by Line Meaning
Pamela, Pamela
An address to a woman named Pamela
Remember the days
Recall the past
Of inkwells and apples
In a time when inkwells and apples were commonplace
And books and school plays
In a time when books and school plays were common
Where little Brer Rabbit kissed Pooh in the wood
In a time when children's stories were full of innocent and imaginative adventures
And Fluff was the cat that sat on the rug
In a time when simple things like a cat sitting on a rug could bring joy
Oh, Pamela
A reminiscence about Pamela and the past
I remember so well
The artist has a vivid memory of the past
When Laurel and Hardy were shown at the flicks
In a time when movies were simplistic and innocent
With sticky red lollies on splintery sticks
The artist recalls a time when candy was a simple pleasure
Pigtails and ribbons and crushes on miss
The singer remembers the crushes of youth and the ways young girls styled their hair
Secret discussions about a first kiss
In a time when first kisses were an exciting, secret topic among young people
But you were young
The youthfulness of the singer and Pamela
And everything was new
The novelty of everything in youth
Impatient to do things you couldn't do
The eagerness to grow up and experience new things
Oh, Pamela, Pamela
An address to a woman named Pamela
You started to grow
The beginning of growing up
Answers to questions you wanted to know
The pursuit of knowledge during the transition to adulthood
When the rest of your childhood
The realization that childhood is ending
Forgets as a dream
The way childhood memories can seem like a dream from the past
And the harshness of life
The difficult realities of adulthood
Dims those peaches and cream
The way difficult experiences can tarnish the once innocent and sweet memories of the past
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GRAHAM GOULDMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vickylee5301
Absolutely love this song. It reminds me of my mum, who passed away recently. Miss and love you mum, always.
@philipnorris6542
She's gone to a better place, Vicky.
@janetgreen4642
Absolutely loved this gentle little song! What wonderful days they were and, how lucky we were to have been part of them!
@fishingtony1
when you listen to the old tunes they somehow whisk you back to being young and it still tingles to feel like that even for a very short time
@alanheptinstall8738
tony sugg saw them in Wakefield twice good old times 😎
@fjbutch
Yes...definitely !!!!!... takes me back to 1966 when I had a huge crush on a beautiful girl in school'..... Sadly I only just found out that she has since passed away..... Devastated....but...lovely memories... RIP Susan..
@karnallsop9673
I could listen to this on repeat !! ... What music a classic 😉😂👀👀
@gaynorreid9236
Yes and that feeling is awesome isn't it?
@RHR-221b
@fjbutch 💚 To Susan and you, f. R PS. Maybe one of these old afternoons you will meet again.
@edwardredmond1969
one of the great hits of the 60's. what a pity we dont get any songs like this today.