Growing up in the sixties, I loved The Association for songs like Windy and Along Comes Mary. But frankly, I didn’t even know they had recorded Cherish until I broke up with my college girlfriend in 1972. I was heart-broken. I missed my girlfriend intensely, and wished fervently that we would make up. It never happened.

That summer I listened to the forty-five vinyl of Cherish on my tiny record player over and over and over. It seemed to perfectly express my feelings of loss. I didn’t know who was singing it and I didn’t care. Even todeay I get a lump in my thoat listening to the song.

Cherish was one of the songs on the group’s first album, And Then… Along Comes the Association, released in 1966. It became their first #1 hit. Although I don’t remember it, Nina Simone also recorded a version of Cherish on her 1967 Silk and Soul album. Listening to it now, I think she did a marvelous job.

EXTRA! You can listen to Nina Simone sing Cherish on YouTube.

The Video: “Cherish” by The Association

No longer available from YouTube.

The Lyrics: “Cherish” by The Association

( Words by Terry Kirkman)

Cherish is a 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