Complex sentence: Written by John Philips, circa 1964 during a temporary separation from his partner, Michelle Phillips, the song was inspired by the fact that although John thought Michelle was out in California, she in fact was just blocks away in Greenwich Village.
Split into simpler sentences: Written by John Philips, circa 1964 during a temporary separation from his partner, Michelle Phillips. The song was inspired by the fact that although John thought Michelle was out in California, she in fact was just blocks away in Greenwich Village.