"Cherish" | ||||
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Single by the Association | ||||
from the album And Then... Along Comes the Association | ||||
B-side | "Don't Blame It on Me" | |||
Released | August 1966 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
| |||
Label | Valiant | |||
Songwriter(s) | Terry Kirkman | |||
Producer(s) | Curt Boettcher | |||
The Association singles chronology | ||||
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"Cherish" is a pop song written by Terry Kirkman and recorded by the Association. [3] 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. [4] Billboard ranked the record as the No. 7 song of 1966, and later as No. 2, after a revision of the year-end charts. It was certified Gold by the RIAA in the US in 1966. [5] In Canada, the song also reached number one. [6]
Terry Kirkman wrote it in half an hour and put it into the live act of his group, the Association. He was looking for an emotional, slow tempo song in the same vein as the Righteous Brothers' "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'". Mike Whelan, from the New Christy Minstrels, liked it so much that he convinced the Minstrels to record a version of the song, and in fact their recording was almost released before the Association's. [7]
In the lyrics, the protagonist tells his love interest that he "cherishes" her, though he isn't sure if he actually loves her or only wants her. At the same time he's unsure the love interest is interested in him, because she is being courted by "a thousand other guys". [8] [9]
The instrumentation of their debut, which includes this song, was recorded at a converted garage studio owned by Gary S. Paxton, who engineered the sessions along with Pete Romano, while the vocals of the group were recorded at Columbia studios. [10] Like most of Association hits, session musicians were called to do the instrumental track, including Mike Deasy on guitar, Jerry Scheff on bass and Jim Troxel on drums, with only Kirkman and Jules Alexander, as members of the band, participating on it. [11] Curt Boettcher added some vocals, most notably the high-pitched "told you" and "hold you" on the final verse.[ citation needed ]
The song is notable for having two bridge sections, the second leading to a modulation in which the key rises a whole step. The song ends with the words "cherish is the word," over a sustained vibrato electric guitar chord. The song is noted for its use of the Chimes, which are imitated by the backup members of the Association, heard in Intro, the first 2 verses, as well as in the second Bridge sections
For the single released, the song was sped up and one of the two "And I do cherish you" lines near the end was removed. This was done to hold the track to the three-minute mark, as AM radio programmers frowned on songs that went longer than that. 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. [7] [12]
In a retrospective review published on Stereogum in 2018, Tom Breihan wrote, "There are things about 'Cherish' that should be good — things that look nice on paper. The Association were singing in lush, Beach Boys–esque harmonies, and they were doing it over intricately layered guitars and banjos and horns. But 'Cherish' is a bloodless affair, a sickly-sweet melody backing up a somewhat creepy lyric about fixating too hard on a girl." In his conclusion, he wrote, "Songs like this — vaguely queasy pop songs with lush and lightly orchestral arrangements — would pretty much dominate pop music for a few years in the early ’70s. The Association got there first, but they don’t get any points for it." [9]
Conversely, Terry Watada states, "Cherish was wonderful, its sensual harmonies and simple sentiments produced the ideal dreamy atmosphere for a last dance." [13] In the 2004 edition of The Rolling Stone Album Guide writer Paul Evans, while critical of the band and its work as a whole, acknowledged the song "tingles as a makeout classic". [14]
"Cherish" has become a staple in wedding ceremonies and slow dances, and is considered the 22nd most played song of the 20th Century by the BMI. [8]
In 2012, original Association member Jim Yester said the record label claimed the song sounded "too old and archaic", but quipped that the song's success "just showed we can have archaic and eat it, too." [15]
The Association
| Session musicians and production staff
|
Chart (1966) | Peak position |
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Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [6] | 1 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [4] | 1 |
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [16] | 38 |
"Cherish" | ||||
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Single by David Cassidy | ||||
from the album Cherish | ||||
B-side | "All I Wanna Do Is Touch You" | |||
Released | October 1971 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 3:46 (album) | |||
Label | Bell | |||
Songwriter(s) | Terry Kirkman | |||
Producer(s) | Wes Farrell | |||
David Cassidy singles chronology | ||||
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David Cassidy recorded his own version as a single in October 1971 which later appeared on his album Cherish (1972). His version ended on the repeated phrase in the coda: "And I do Cherish You", which fades out. His version reached number nine on the Hot 100 chart, and spent one week at number one on the Adult Contemporary chart. [17] and peaked at number three in Canada and hit number one in both Australia and New Zealand.[ citation needed ] In the UK, it was issued as a double A-side with "Could It Be Forever", and peaked at number 2 in the UK Singles Chart. It was his debut hit single in that country. [18] The song was certified Gold by the RIAA in the US in December 1971. [19]
Chart (1971–72) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia ( Go-Set National Top 40) [20] | 2 |
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [21] | 3 |
Canada Adult Contemporary ( RPM ) [22] | 8 |
New Zealand ( Listener Chart) [23] | 5 |
UK Singles (OCC) [24] | 2 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [25] | 9 |
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [26] | 1 |
Other artists to have covered the song include Dizzy Gillespie ( The Melody Lingers On album), The Lettermen, Nina Simone, Ed Ames, Petula Clark ( Colour My World album), Rita Wilson (AM/FM album), The Four Tops (Reach Out album), Carla Thomas ( Love Means... album), Jodeci, Barry Manilow, Pat Metheny ( What's It All About album), Kenny Rogers and The First Edition, and Glee which incorporates elements from the Madonna song with the same title.
"Windy" is a pop song written by Ruthann Friedman and recorded by the Association. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1967, becoming the group's second U.S. No. 1 hit following "Cherish" in 1966. Billboard ranked the record as the No. 4 song for 1967.
"What a Wonderful World" is a song written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released in 1967 as a single. In April 1968, it topped the pop chart in the United Kingdom, but performed poorly in the United States because Larry Newton, the president of ABC Records, disliked the song and refused to promote it.
"Iris" is a song by the American alternative rock band Goo Goo Dolls. Written for the soundtrack of the 1998 film City of Angels, it was included on the sixth Goo Goo Dolls album, Dizzy Up the Girl, and released as a single on April 1, 1998. No character named Iris appears in the film, and the song title is not heard in the lyrics.
"Ain't No Sunshine" is a song by Bill Withers, from his 1971 debut album Just As I Am, produced by Booker T. Jones. The record featured musicians Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass guitar, Al Jackson Jr. on drums and Stephen Stills on guitar. String arrangements were done by Booker T. Jones. The song was recorded in Los Angeles, with overdubs in Memphis by engineer Terry Manning.
"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" is a song performed and co-written by American singer-songwriter Christopher Cross as the main theme for the 1981 film Arthur, starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli. It was recognized as the year's Best Original Song at both the 54th Academy Awards and 39th Golden Globe Awards.
"I Write the Songs" is a popular song written by Bruce Johnston. Barry Manilow's version reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 1976 after spending two weeks atop the Billboard adult contemporary chart in December 1975. It won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year and was nominated for Record of the Year in 1977. Billboard ranked it as the No. 13 song of 1976.
"When a Man Loves a Woman" is a song written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright and first recorded by Percy Sledge in 1966 at Norala Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama. It made number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles charts. Country singer John Wesley Ryles had a minor hit with his version of the song in 1976. Singer and actress Bette Midler recorded the song and had a Top 40 hit with her version in 1980. In 1991, Michael Bolton recorded the song and his version peaked at number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Billboard Adult Contemporary Singles chart.
"Don't Know Much" is a song written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil and Tom Snow. Mann was the first to record the song in 1980, gaining a minor chart hit in the US. The song was made famous when it was covered as a duet by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville in 1989. Their version was a worldwide success, topping the Irish Singles Chart and reaching the top 10 in several territories.
"Valerie" is a song written by English musician and songwriter Steve Winwood and Will Jennings, and originally recorded by Winwood for his third solo album, Talking Back to the Night (1982).
"Right Here Waiting" is a song by American singer and songwriter Richard Marx. It was released on June 29, 1989, as the second single from his second album, Repeat Offender (1989). The song was a global hit, topping charts in many countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States where it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The same year, it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was the UK's most streamed love song on Spotify ahead of Valentine's Day in 2013 and has since been covered by many artists, including R&B singer Monica.
"Hopelessly Devoted to You" is a song recorded by British-Australian singer, songwriter and actress Olivia Newton-John for Grease: The Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture (1978). It was written and produced by John Farrar and originally performed by Newton-John in the film version of the musical Grease (1978). The song reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number seven on the Adult Contemporary chart. On the country chart, "Hopelessly Devoted to You" peaked at number 20 and was her first top 20 country hit in two years. Newton-John performed the song at the 21st Grammy Awards in 1979. The song was released in Australia in August 1978 and peaked at number two.
"To Know Him Is to Love Him" is a song written by Phil Spector, inspired by the words on his father's gravestone, "To Know Him Was to Love Him". It was first recorded by the only vocal group of which he was a member, The Teddy Bears. The single spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1958, while reaching No. 2 on the UK's New Musical Express chart. Peter & Gordon and Bobby Vinton later each experienced chart success with the song, in 1965 and 1968, respectively.
"Winchester Cathedral" is a song by the New Vaudeville Band, a British novelty group established by the song's composer, Geoff Stephens, and was released in late 1966 by Fontana Records.
"Tryin' to Get the Feeling Again" is a song written by David Pomeranz that became a top 10 hit for Barry Manilow in 1976. It was first recorded by the Carpenters in 1975, but their version was not released until 1994 on their 25th anniversary CD, Interpretations: A 25th Anniversary Celebration. Pomeranz also recorded the song for his 1975 album It's in Every One of Us.
"Steppin' Out" is a song by English musician Joe Jackson, originally included on his 1982 album Night and Day. The song, inspired by Jackson's time in New York City, was his highest-charting single in America, where it peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached the same position in Jackson's native UK.
"I Do (Cherish You)" is a song written by Keith Stegall and Dan Hill. It was first released in February 1998 by American country music artist Mark Wills. The first single from his second album, Wish You Were Here, it became his third top-10 hit on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart that year.
"Husbands and Wives" is a song written and first recorded by American country music singer Roger Miller. Miller's original, from his album Words and Music, was released in February 1966 and was a crossover hit for him, reaching Top Ten on the U.S. country and Adult Contemporary charts, as well as Top 40 on the pop charts. Since the release of Miller's original, the song has been covered by several other artists, including The Everly Brothers, Ringo Starr, Neil Diamond, a duet between David Frizzell and Shelly West, Jules Shear, and Brooks & Dunn, whose version was a number-one country hit in 1998.
"Never My Love" is a pop standard written by American siblings Don and Dick Addrisi, and best known from a hit 1967 recording by the Association. The Addrisi Brothers had two Top 40 hits as recording artists, but their biggest success as songwriters was "Never My Love". Recorded by dozens of notable artists in the decades since, in 1999 the music publishing rights organization Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) announced it was the second most-played song on radio and television of the 20th century in the U.S.
"When You Love a Woman" is a song by American rock band Journey. It is the third track from their 10th studio album, Trial by Fire (1996), and was released as the lead single from that album in September 1996.
The discography of David Cassidy, an American pop artist, consists of twelve studio albums, three live albums, six compilation albums, three soundtrack albums and twenty-four singles. David Cassidy started recording albums in 1970. His career is most notable for his solo music and his recordings with the Partridge Family.