Druxy, yes, I knew that story about THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE, but the story as Johnny tells it is that he submitted the lyrics and they were rejected. They referenced the bird, the sandpiper:
Today I'm in a mood I can't explain
It might just be a sudden summer rain
Today I saw a bird that broke it's wing
Which isn't in itself a tragic thing...
He didn't realize that other composers were also contacted about writing lyrics. Johnny's weren't chosen, and he wasn't happy about it, but talked about it in several interviews and talk shows, and got back at them, in a way, by always mentioning that he thought The Shadow of Your Smile sounded like a lady with a mustache! It always got a big laugh, but I'm sure after that there were a lot of people who couldn't hear that song without thinking of that image.