Cherish

Album: And Then... Along Comes The Association (1966)
Charted: 1
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  • Cherish is the word I use to describe
    All the feeling that I have hiding here for you inside
    You don't know how many times I've wished that I had told you
    You don't know how many times I've wished that I could hold you
    You don't know how many times I've wished that I could
    Mold you into someone who could
    Cherish me as much as I cherish you

    Perish is the word that more than applies
    To the hope in my heart each time I realize
    That I am not gonna be the one to share your dreams
    That I am not gonna be the one to share your schemes
    That I am not gonna be the one to share
    What seems to be the life that you could
    Cherish as much as I do yours

    Oh, I'm beginning to think that man has never found
    The words that could make you want me
    That have the right amount of letters, just the right sound
    That could make you hear, make you see
    That you are drivin' me out of my mind

    Oh, I could say I need you but then you'd realize
    That I want you just like a thousand other guys
    Who'd say they loved you With all the rest of their lies
    When all they wanted was to touch your face, your hands
    And gaze into your eyes

    Cherish is the word I use to describe
    All the feeling that I have hiding here for you inside
    You don't know how many times I've wished that I had told you
    You don't know how many times I've wished that I could hold you
    You don't know how many times I've wished that I could
    Mold you into someone who could
    Cherish me as much as I cherish you

    And I do cherish you
    And I do cherish you
    Cherish is the word Writer/s: Terry Kirkman
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 25

  • Darkstar from NovaLaura Henslee,Hayward Jr HS, 1967
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn this day in 1972 {May 21st} "Cherish"/"Could It Be Forever" by David Cassidy peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on the United Kingdom's Singles chart, for the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Metal Guru" by T. Rex...
    "Could It Be Forever"/"Cherish" reached #3 in the Irish Singles chart...
    Between 1972 and 1985 the New York City native had twelve records on the U.K. Singles chart, six made the Top 10* with two reaching #1, "How Can I Be Sure" for two weeks in September of 1972 and "Daydreamer"/"The Puppy Song" for three weeks in October of 1973...
    Sadly, David Bruce Cassidy passed away at the young age of 67 on November 21st, 2017...
    May he R.I.P.
    * He just missed having two more Top 10 records when his "Rock Me Baby" {1972} and "I Write the Songs"/"Get It Up for Love" {1975} both peaked at #11 on the U.K. Singles chart...
    And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the U.K. Top 10 on May 21st, 1972"
    At #3. "Amazing Grace" by The Pipes & Drums and The Military Band Of The Royal Scots
    #4. "Come What May (Apres Toi)" by Vicky Leandros
    #5. "Rocket Man" by Elton John
    #6. "Oh, Babe What Would You Say?" by Hurricane Smith
    #7. "A Thing Called Love" by Johnny Cash And The Evangel Temple Choir
    #8. "At The Club"/"Saturday Night At The Movies" by The Drifters
    #9. "Tumbling Dice" by The Rolling Stones
    #10."Leeds United" by Leeds FC
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn October 3rd 1966, the Association performed "Cherish" on the week-day afternoon ABC-TV program 'Where The Action Is'...
    At the time the song was in its third of three weeks at #1 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 album...
    {See the third post below}.
  • Jules from TexasIt was stated, "Curt Boettcher produced this in a garage that was converted into a studio by Gary Paxton" WRONG. It wasn't a garage it was a bus that was in Paxton's side yard.
  • Jules from TexasJust to do some record-straight-setting: Mike commented, (Studio wizards Mike Deasy Sr. (guitar), and Jerry Scheff (bass) were brought in to handle the rhythm work. Much of the music was too complex for the regular band, who had to learn the parts from the studio players before they went out on the road.) WRONG. We had been playing the songs for months before the sessions. The skillset of a studio player and a stage performing musician are different worlds. The band and I told the studio players more or less what to play. I was the only "studio" musician in the band at the time and played (A martin electric acoustic axe) on all the tracks. The parts were not all that complex except for those who played mostly 3 chord songs. Studio cats generally are able to play the EXACT same line take after take, time after time, a valuable skill. Stage players may play different "parts" each time through which if excellent for stage but generally sucks for studio work.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn August 21st 1966, "Cherish" by the Association entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #66; and on September18th, 1966 it peaked at #1 {for 3 weeks} and spent 14 weeks on the Top 100...
    It was preceded and succeeded at #1 by two Motown acts; the Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love" preceded it in the top spot and it was "Reach Out I'll Be There" by the Four Tops that succeeded it at #1...
    Between 1966 and 1981 the California-based sextet had thirteen Top 100 records; five made the Top 10 with two reaching #1, their other #1 record was "Windy", it reached the top spot {for 4 weeks} on June 25th, 1967...
    The just missed having a third #1 record when "Never My Love" peaked at #2 {for 2 weeks} in 1967; and the 2 weeks it was at #2 the #1 record for both those weeks was "The Letter" by the Box Tops.
  • Rod from Boise, Id...which should tell you a lot about the readers of Rolling Stone, as well as the magazine itself, Matthew. Both are to be taken with a generous dose of salt.
  • Coy from Palestine, TxCherish is often still to this day, played at weddings. It is a beautiful song. Great job Terry Kirkman!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 19th 1971 "Cherish" by David Cassidy peaked at #9 (for 4 weeks) on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; it had entered the chart on October 31st and spent 12 weeks on the Top 100...
    The Association's original version reached #1 on the Top 100, Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart, and the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart.
  • Matthew from Toronto, OnThe readers of Rolling Stone Magazine voted this the 4th worst song of the Sixties. Really? This gorgeously written, beautifully performed, harmonious gem of 1966 may not be everyone's cup of tea (the lyrics are a little too self-consciously perfect, "cherish is the word that I use to describe all the feelings that I have hiding here for you inside"), but there are ZILLIONS
  • Camille from Toronto, OhFrank from Santa Cruz, well said. This song is perfection.
  • Bess from Kent, WaAfter 44 years, I still cry everytime I hear this song. It sadly was the song that I shared with the love of my life, Carl K. We loved so deeply, but like Romeo and Juliet, our families would never allow it!
  • Ron from Hemet, CaThanks, Don. Now I have everything. But, the girl.
  • Don from L.a., CaThis is for my ol' pal, Ron. You always asked me to do this if I ever had a chance. So, since you haven't done this since March 1967, I'm doing it for you, now. Dedicating Cherish by the Association:

    To Micki from Ron.

    My pleasure, pal. --Don
  • Frank from Santa Cruz, CaDesperate and obsessive is the human condition. Which one of us has never known unrequited love at one time or another in our life? This song is an absolute masterpiece, an opinion held by everyone from John Lennon and Paul McCartney to Brian Wilson, Paul Simon and Neil Young.
  • Ron from Auburndale, FlI like to pick all the harmonies of songs apart and try to sing them all. I am usually good at picking out the harmonies. I have tried and tried, and the harmonies are so difficult to pick out that I just can't get them all. Probably some of the most intricate harmonies ever!
  • Ginnykub from Denver, CoI just wanted to correct a comment made about the making of this song--according to Jerry Scheff's website, he did the complicated bass work on "Along Comes Mary"--this is where the famous false note is played. The basslines on "Cherish" are quite straightforward by comparison.
  • Phil from Brooklyn, NyMy friend Pete brought to my attention that the lyrics have a bit of a stalker element. To wit:

    Cherish is the word I use to describe
    All the feeling that I have hiding here for you inside
    You don't know how many times I've wished that I had told you
    You don't know how many times I've wished that I could hold you
    You don't know how many times I've wished that I could
    Mold you into someone who could
    Cherish me as much as I cherish you

    I love the song, but you have to admit it's a bit obsessive. Love...

  • Pamela from Oregon, OhThis song just makes me happy whenever I hear it.
  • Rick from San Juan, United StatesIn the 80's, both Kool & The Gang and Madonna reached #2 with different "Cherish" hits.
  • Wes from Springfield, VaI do not know why - perhaps it's those wedding bell sounds - but this song always makes me think of Mark Eubanks and the Newlywed Game. Weird, I know.
  • Dave from Oak Park, MiANDY WILLIAMS just released an "unreleased" version of the Association's "Cherish" a couple of years ago on his B-Sides & Rarities CD. One listen to HIM singing it and you'll want to play it again and again!!!!! His version is THAT GOOD!
  • Pudgemuffin from Buffalo, NyThe Association was originally asked to sing "MacArthur Park," but turned it down (probably because they felt the lyrics were absurd).
  • Mike from Seattle, WaStudio wizards Mike Deasy Sr. (guitar), and Jerry Scheff (bass) were brought in to handle the rhythm work. Much of the music was too complex for the regular band, who had to learn the parts from the studio players before they went out on the road.

    Scheff comments on his web page that there was a bad note in the bass line, that was left. It has since been played exactly the same way by many of those who have covered the song since.
  • Deana from Indianapolis, In"The Happy Hooker", Xaveria Hollander, wrote that this was her favorite song
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