September 24, 1966
Cherish, the medium-tempo love song by The Association reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, beginning a 3-week stay atop the singles chart for the Los Angeles, CA quintet.
It was book-ended between two giant Motown hits – replacing You Can’t Hurry Love by The Supremes on this day, and then being succeeded by The Four Tops’ Reach Out I’ll Be There on October 15th of ’66.
The groups first million-selling hit entered Billboard’s Top 10 on September 17th, enjoying a 7-week stay there among the other elite songs – and a total of 14 weeks on the ‘100.’
The Association’s trademark sound consisted of beautiful swirling vocal harmonies set to well-produced and arranged instrumental tracks; all five members shared the singing duties on most of their songs.
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[Note] Some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices. A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be required for optimal enjoyment.
[Note] On the record labels below, the total running time on both is listed as 3:00 – when in fact, the true length of the single version is 3:13 (and the album version is 3:25). This was intentionally done by Valiant Records to reduce the chances of radio stations refusing to play the record because of it’s actual length (at that time, 2-3 minute-long singles were preferable). For that same reason, Valiant edited out extra lyrics from the original and sped up its tempo – slicing off another 12 seconds for the 45 version; and listed the false total running-time on the label.
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The version to which you’re about to listen, produced by HouseoftheHits, is extremely RARE; it’s an edit of the stereo album version to precisely match the Valiant mono hit 45. Additionally, it’s been speed-corrected to exactly replicate the faster-tempo single’s length. So – for the first time – the hit version is heard in crystal-clear TRUE STEREO. Enjoy!
CHERISH
The Association
(Stereo Single Version)
[1966]
https://youtu.be/wt3LULYoZvc
[REPLAY]
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Along Comes Mary (1966 • #7), their biggest million-selling hit, Windy (#1 for 4 weeks in 1968), another million seller, Never My Love (1967 • #2) and Everything That Touches You (1968 • #10) completes the list of their five Top 10 recordings.
Both ‘Cherish’ and ‘Along Comes Mary’ are from their debut album – ‘and then…along comes The Association.’
The New Christy Minstrels wanted to record ‘Cherish’ first, but Association member and the song’s writer, Terry Kirkman, held onto the song instead of selling it to them for $1000.
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Song Source: The Music Vault of HouseoftheHits, Inc.
Billboard® Chart Data: Joel Whitburn’s Record Research (eBook Editions)
Record Sleeve & Label Graphics: Courtesy of 45cat
