Song Meaning
The lyrics open with a series of stark impossibilities, painting a picture of a world governed by sensible rules. A plain pumpkin can't transform into a golden carriage, a country bumpkin and a prince can't marry, and mice can't become horses. These examples are presented as obvious fol-de-rol, the kind of thing sensible people dismiss without a second thought. The narrator emphasizes this with phrases like "of course is" and "sensible rules."
However, the song immediately pivots, introducing a contrasting perspective: the "zanies and fools" who defy these sensible limitations. These are the individuals who "don't believe in sensible rules" and "won't believe what sensible people say." The lyrics suggest that it's precisely this group, with their "daft and dewy-eyed" nature and "impossible hopes," who are the catalysts for change. They are the ones who make the impossible happen.
The most striking craft element is the direct juxtaposition of the "impossible" with the "happening every day." The repeated "Impossible" at the start of the verse sets a firm, almost rigid, tone. Yet, this is directly countered by the assertion that "Impossible things are happening every day." This contrast creates a powerful tension, challenging the listener's own assumptions about what can and cannot be achieved. The repeated "Impossible" in the outro then takes on a new, almost defiant, resonance.
This lyrical structure is effective because it mirrors a common human experience: the struggle between practicality and aspiration. By first establishing the conventional, sensible view and then dismantling it with the power of belief and hope, the lyrics offer a potent encouragement. It’s a reminder that the world is often reshaped by those who dare to imagine beyond the "sensible rules."
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