Sagittarius - My World Fell Down (1967)

Born in 1938, Gary Usher made a name for himself as a songwriter in the early ‘60s. Perhaps most notably at that time, he co-wrote songs with Brian Wilson for The Beach Boys such as the popular “In My Room.” In 1967, Usher came across a song called “My World Fell Down,” performed by the British band known as The Ivy League. He attempted to give the song to Chad & Jeremy, whom he had been producing for at the time. They refused, opposed to recording work other than their own. Still convinced that the song could be a hit, Usher called up some session musicians to record the song and, upon completion, when he turned it in to Columbia Records, dubbed the non-existent group “Sagittarius” after his own astrological sign. When the song reached number seventy on the Billboard charts, it was considered a success. Columbia, not knowing that there wasn’t really a band behind it, wanted the non-existent group on tour to support the song. At that point, Usher had to confess that there wasn’t actually a band. Attempting to continue the success of the Sagittarius name, Usher began recording material himself, using the Sagittarius name. What resulted were two albums attributed to Sagittarius, a band that never truly existed.

As stated above, Gary Usher had done a lot of collaboration with Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. Also mentioned above is that this song was created by a group of session musicians. What combines these two facts into something very interesting is some of the session musicians used were friends Usher had made through Brian Wilson: Glen Campbell, Bruce Johnston, and Terry Melcher. Although never officially a member of The Beach Boys, Glen Campbell was Brian Wilson’s replacement on a Beach Boys tour from December 1964 until March 1965. Bruce Johnston, on the other hand, was an official member of The Beach Boys, having replaced Campbell on the aforementioned tour and later joining the group full-time in the studio. Lastly, Terry Melcher had been associated with The Beach Boys having done record producing for them (as well as for The Byrds).

All three men playing on this song had previously contributed to The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, so it should go without saying that when this song was released less than one year later, it carried a heavy influence from those sessions. All having worked so closely with Brian Wilson, some people refer to this song as a reflection of Brian Wilson’s genius, channeled through the playing of his protégés.



Sagittarius - My World Fell Down (1967)

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Lyrics:

Just like the 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)
(My world fell down)
Fell down

I see your suitcase lyin’
Packed up to go
I stop myself from cryin’
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)
(My world fell down)
Fell down

Wish I 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

‘cause it’s wintertime
And the leaves are brown
Since you went away
My world fell down
(My world fell down)
(My world fell down)
Fell down

‘cause it’s wintertime
And the leaves are brown
Since you went away
My world fell down
(My world fell down)
(My world fell down)
Fell down