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 you 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 / driving 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 the wanted was to
Touch your face, your hands and gaze into your eyes. (Repeat
first verse)
And I do, Cherish you
And I do, Cherish you
Cherish is the word.
The song was written by Terry Kirkman (founding member of The Association), who came home and his wife asked him if he wanted to watch the 11:00 News.
He said "No", he thought he'd write a song instead. By the time Johnny Carson came on with his monologue at 11:37, he'd written "Cherish".
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."
