Cherish

The Association

About Cherish

"Cherish" is a pop song written by Terry Kirkman and recorded by The Association. Released in 1966, the song reached number one on the U. S. Billboard Hot 100 in September of that year and remained in the top position for three weeks. Billboard ranked the record as the No. 2 song of 1966. In Canada, the song also reached number one. Session musician Doug Rhodes, also member of The Music Machine, played the celesta on the recording. Studio player Ben Benay played guitar on the recording. Curt Boettcher added some vocals, most notably the high-pitched "told you" and "hold you" on the final verse. The track was recorded at a converted garage studio owned by Gary S. Paxton, who engineered the sessions along with Pete Romano. The single release of the song was slightly edited by removing one of the two "And I do cherish you" lines near the end of the song. This edit was done as a means of keeping the track from exceeding the three-minute mark, as radio programmers of the era frowned upon songs that went beyond three minutes. However, even with the edit, the song still ran over. Instead of editing further, producer Curt Boettcher intentionally listed "3:00" on the label as the song's running time. 


Year:
2005
3:25
51 
#2

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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

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The Association

The Association is a pop music band from California in the folk rock or soft rock genre. During the 1960s, they had numerous hits at or near the top of the Billboard charts and were the lead-off band at 1967's Monterey Pop Festival. more »

5 fans

Written by: Terry Kirkman

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Chart Success
"Cherish" by The Association reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1966.
Song Meaning
The song is a classic ballad expressing love and longing for an unattainable woman.
Composition
The song was composed by Terry Kirkman, a member of The Association, taking him 3 months to finish writing it.
Gold Certification
The song is The Association's first RIAA-certified gold record.
Longevity
"Cherish" has been covered numerous times since its release, becoming a popular classic and demonstrating its longevity.
Usage in Media
The song has been used in several films and TV shows, most notably in TV series like 'The Wonder Years' and movies like 'Terminally Happy'.
Inspiration
The song's melody is reported to have been inspired by the civil war ballad "Aura Lee", which was also the basis for Elvis Presley's "Love Me Tender".
Record Promotion
"Cherish" was first promoted by the band's members themselves who initially went from radio station to radio station to get it played.
Critical Acclaim
"'Cherish' was named by Billboard magazine (U.S.) as the No. 22 song of 1966.
Live Performance
Despite its complexity, The Association performed the song live regularly, the song being one of their most popular numbers.

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    Cherish

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1966

    Billboard #1


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