This bright and brassy pop song was written by Gary Bonner and Alan Gordon, the same songwriting duo that were responsible for The Turtles previous hit, "Happy Together". Joe Wissert's production features an entire orchestra and a prominent clanging cowbell. Vocalist Howard Kaylan admitted to Uncut that he and his bandmates were disappointed with the choice of follow-up to "Happy Together."

"We were kind of distraught, because it was such a 1920s razzmatazz kind of a song compared to this mysterious and glorious record we had just bought out. It was like following up 'Good Vibrations' with 'Barbara Ann.'

I can't explain it, but it got higher on the (UK) charts than 'Happy Together' did, and on the strength of that record we went over to England."