oh ! yes, it was really a great song : 40 years later , my son of 21 is fond of it ! It remains one of the great songs of my life , of the ones that lightened my youth in the square country of France .
I'm not sure where you get the idea that Gary Usher wrote this because it was actually written by English writers John Carter and Geoff Stephens, It was released by The Ivy League in the UK in October 1966 and in the US by Sagittarius in May 1967. Incidentally, I interviewed John earlier this year and he said this was his favourite version of any of his songs.
"The best song The Beach Boys never recorded." Glen Campbell, Bruce Johnnston, Gary Usher (producer and singer) and Curt Boettcher. Pure genius. This is the mono single version with the psychedelic break.
Just like a breath of spring
You came my way
I heard a bluebird sing
But not today
'Cause it's wintertime
And the leaves are brown
Since you went away
My world fell down
My world fell down, fell down
I see your suitcase lying
Packed up to go
I stop myself from crying
How, I don't know
'Cause it's wintertime
And the leaves are brown
Since you went away
My world fell down
My world fell down, fell down
Wish it didn't feel like winter
'Cause spring's a better thing, I know
I know I'd feel so much better
If I could only let her go
Originally recorded by The Ivy League. Written by Carter-Stephens. Gary Usher thought it was a great song and suggested it to Chad and Jeremy. They declined it so Usher thought...."I'LL record it". While working with Brian Wilson,one night in a studio, the two of them heard incredible vocals being recorded, followed the sound to....Curt Boettcher, working on some Lee Mallory sessions, if i recall. As the Sagittarius sessions evolved, Gary brought Curt (and The Ballroom) on board. The Millennium evolved from his work with Gary on the first Sagittarius record.