Pop Music

The song “Cherish” was written by group member of The Association Terry Kirkman. It was released as a single and was also on The Association’s 1966 album And Then…Along Comes the Association. In 1966, “Cherish” rose to #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and in Canada.

The Association formed in California and had songs in the folk rock and soft rock genres. Some of their hits include “Windy,” “Along Comes Mary,” and “Never My Love.” In 1967, they were the lead-off band at the Monterey Pop Festival. The group has had changes in its membership of the years, but in 1966, The Association consisted of Gary “Jules” Alexander (guitar, vocals), Russ Giguere (guitar, vocals), Terry Kirkman (keyboards, vocals), Brian Cole (bass, vocals), Ted Bluechel (drums, vocals), and Larry Ramos (guitar, vocals). The group still tours and performs.

For “Cherish,” session musician Doug Rhodes played the Celesta. Ben Benay played guitar. Curt Boettcher , who produced the song, added vocals. The track was recorded at a studio that was a converted garage owned by Gary S. Paxton.

There have been numerous covers of the song, including versions by David Cassidy, Dizzy Gillespie, The Lettermen, Ed Ames, Petula Clark, The Four Tops, Barry Manilow, and Pat Metheny, to list a few.

Here are the lyrics for “Cherish” by The Association:

“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”

If you would like to listen to and read about another song by The Association, please click here for “Along Comes Mary.”

For an album of music by The Association, please click on the photo below:

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ commercial free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Cherish” by The Association.