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.
The Impossible Years
Wayne Fontana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When a father must say
To his daughter, my dear
I'll show you the way
These are the impossible years
A girl must endure, adrift on the ocean
Left with her unspeakable fears
New temptations, strange sensations
A great new world for exploration
She has the impossible years to bear
When does the young bud come to flower
It's petals aflame with colour exciting
When does the one Sun choose the hour
To change the green shoot to beauty inviting
Girls are growing and without knowing
They're the seeds that we've been sowing
We'll help the impossible years go by
Girls are growing, without knowing
They're the seeds that we've been sowing
We'll help the impossible years go by
In Wayne Fontana's song The Impossible Years, the lyrics speak directly to the experience of a young girl growing up and facing the trials and tribulations that come with adolescence. The father figure in the song is attempting to offer guidance and support to his daughter through these difficult years, acknowledging that they are indeed "impossible" to fully comprehend or navigate. The lyrics paint a picture of a girl adrift on the ocean, facing unspeakable fears and trying to process the intense emotions that come with growing up.
The song speaks to the confusion and uncertainty that often come with adolescence, as young people are faced with new temptations and sensations that can be overwhelming. The lyrics suggest that these experiences are a necessary part of growth and development, but that it is important to have a support system to help weather the storm. The refrain of the song repeats the idea that "girls are growing, without knowing / they're the seeds that we've been sowing," suggesting that even when the road ahead seems challenging, there is hope for the future if we can provide the right kind of guidance and support.
Line by Line Meaning
There comes a time
A moment arrives
When a father must say
When a father needs to speak
To his daughter, my dear
To his beloved daughter
I'll show you the way
I will guide you
These are the impossible years
These are the challenging years
A girl must endure, adrift on the ocean
A girl must endure, lost and uncertain
Left with her unspeakable fears
Left with the fears she can't put into words
The torture of doubt and pent up emotion
The agony of uncertainty and suppressed feelings
New temptations, strange sensations
New allurements, unusual feelings
A great new world for exploration
A vast new world waiting to be discovered
She has the impossible years to bear
She has to endure the difficult period
When does the young bud come to flower
When does youth bloom into maturity
It's petals aflame with colour exciting
Its petals radiant with thrilling colors
When does the one Sun choose the hour
When does fate decide the moment
To change the green shoot to beauty inviting
To transform the young plant into an inviting beauty
Girls are growing and without knowing
Girls are developing without realizing
They're the seeds that we've been sowing
They are the fruits of our labor
We'll help the impossible years go by
We will assist in getting through the challenging years
Contributed by Penelope B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jett woodward
Do you have
Don Christy-Teach Me
Don Christy-Little Miss Cool/Glass Of Tears
Sonny Bono-Midnight Surf/Ride The Wild Quetzal
Roosevelt Grier-I'm Going Home/Jinny
Roosevelt Grier-Mr Bassman Green/ Bassman Blues
Rosey Grier-Your Lov'e is Right Up My Alley (the B side of Take The Time To Love Somebody")
Rosey Grier-I'll Be Back Tomorrow (the B side of "Beautiful People")
? Thank you.
John Robertson
smashing track,not heard in years
Stewart & Gouldman Fan Page
+John Robertson Here is a new link for this song if interested:
https://tributetovarioussongwriters.bandcamp.com/track/the-impossible-years
Nick Palmer
Missed treasures. R.I.P Wayne Fontana.
chrudolf
This song is just beautiful. No need to say more.
Lorraine Trout Mask
Have the best of Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders... Discovered from the sixties film 'To Sir With love' featuring Lulu
Linda Knight
Unfortunately can't remember this one but it's a great track
John Robertson
great singer
Bo Strickland
love this in 2021 !
teodora spinu
Wayne Fontana (28 October 1945 – 6 August 2020)R.I.P ♥🎵🎼🎧🎧🎧
John Robertson
proper good