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.
Um Um Um Um Um Um
Wayne Fontana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There was a man sitting on a bench
Out of the crowd as his head lowly bowed
He just moaned and he made no sense
He'd just go
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
I just couldn't help myself
Yes, I was born with a curious mind
I asked this man just what did he mean
When he moaned if he'd be so kind
And he'd just go
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Now that I've grown up
And the woman I love she has gone
Now that I'm a man, I think I understand
Sometimes everyone must sing this song
Listen to me sing
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Can't you hear me, now
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Everybody now
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
The lyrics of Wayne Fontana's "Um Um Um Um" describe a man who is sitting on a bench and moaning unintelligible sounds. The singer, who is walking through the park, approaches him and asks him what he means. However, the man continues to moan the same sounds "um um um um um." As the singer grows up, he realizes that everyone must sing this song at some point in their lives, referring to the universal experience of heartbreak or loss. The song ends with a plea for others to join in and sing the same sounds.
The song has been interpreted in several ways. Some believe it is a tribute to the doo-wop music of the 1950s, where nonsensical syllables were often used. Others believe it is a metaphor for the inability to express emotion or communicate effectively in a relationship. In any case, the song's catchy melody and sing-along chorus have made it a popular hit.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking through the park, it wasn't quite dark
I was strolling outside when it was not yet completely night time
There was a man sitting on a bench
I saw a guy who was seated on a bench
Out of the crowd as his head lowly bowed
He did not mingle with the people and he was looking down
He just moaned and he made no sense
He was groaning but I could not understand what he was saying
He'd just go
Then he would say
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
I just couldn't help myself
I could not resist the urge to ask him what he meant
Yes, I was born with a curious mind
I have always been curious by nature
I asked this man just what did he mean
So I asked him to explain himself
When he moaned if he'd be so kind
If he would be so kind as to explain his moaning
Now that I've grown up
Now that I have reached adulthood
And the woman I love she has gone
And the woman who I loved has passed away
Now that I'm a man, I think I understand
As a grown man, I believe that I understand
Sometimes everyone must sing this song
That sometimes, everyone needs to sing this particular song
Listen to me sing
Listen to me as I sing
Can't you hear me, now
Can you hear me now?
Everybody now
Everyone together now
Contributed by Zachary N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Adrian Shaw
Walking through the park, it wasn't quite dark
There was a man sitting on a bench
Out of the crowd had his head lowly bowed
He just moaned and he made no sense
And he'd just go
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um
I just couldn't help myself
I was born with a curious mind
I asked this man just what did he mean
When he moaned if he'd be so kind
And he'd just go
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um
Now that I've grown up
And the woman I love she has gone
Now that I'm a man, I think I understand
Just why everyone should sing this song
Listen to me now
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um, um, um
Um, um, um, um
Margaret Quinn
RIP Wayne Fontana.Lovely song.2020
Rachel Albert
The Sixties shows will never be the same without you Wayne Fontana. Your humour had us all in stitches. I have a photograph of me and you on my old phone. RIP my friend xxx
Jennifer Kay
A happy memory, Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders were as good onstage as on record. Thank you for posting this - music of that time coloured my life and gave me memories forever - unlike some, I feel very lucky to be of a certain age (we had the best!)
gary bevan
recently saw Wayne on the 60' tour, still as funny as ever and singing great, well worth the entrance fee alone
lvan teale
Great days of music,R.I.P Wayne 🌟
Michael Matthews
Best Days ever, listening to your voice and all the other great voices of that never to be repeated wonderful time. RIP Wayne
loaring45
RIP Wayne. Thanks for the music
allofeem
It's great song, has magic in it, thanks to Curtis Mayfield.
Tony Craddock
Thanks for the great concerts Wayne. R.I.P
Gloria Mckeown
Fly High Wayne loved your songs Thankyou for the music 🙏💜x