"Cherish" is a song by American R&B band Kool & the Gang, released on a single in May 1985. It was the third single released from the band's 16th studio album, Emergency. The song is a romantic ballad that proved to be extremely popular when it was released and has since been a wedding song staple of sorts.
"Cherish" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and held the number-one position on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for six weeks; it would ultimately rank as the biggest adult contemporary song of 1985. It also peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, the song reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and remained there for three weeks.
Contents
Charts
Pappa Bear version
Samples and lyrics from this song were used in Pappa Bear's song of the same name in 1997. This version was largely unknown in America, where the music video was set, but experienced significant chart success in Europe and Australia, peaking at number one in New Zealand for three weeks and charting within the top five in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
Track listing
CD maxi
"Cherish" (Radio) – 3:52
"Cherish" (Extended) – 5:37
"One 4 Da Money" – 5:02
"Xtra Large" – 4:10
Other cover versions
In 2021, Frank Farian and his daughter Yanina recorded a cover version titled "Cherish The Life".