A song by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It was released as the third single from her fourth studio album Like a Prayer on August 1, 1989 by Sire Records. It has since appeared in a shorter form on the 1990 compilation album The Immaculate Collection (also slightly remixed in this case) and the two-disc edition of her 2009 compilation of hits titled Celebration.

"Cherish" features a black-and-white music video that was directed by Herb Ritts and was filmed in July 1989 at Paradise Cove Beach in Malibu, California. It world-premiered on MTV on August 28, 1989. Madonna also used this beach location for her "The Power of Good-Bye" music video from her Ray of Light album.

Herb Ritts was one of Madonna's preferred photographers at that time and shot Madonna for the cover of her 1986 album True Blue. When she told Ritts she wanted him to direct the "Cherish" video, Ritts reportedly tried to talk her out of it, saying, "But I'm a still photographer. I don't know anything about film." Undaunted, Madonna replied simply, "Well you have a few weeks to learn."

Cherish, cherish!
So tired of broken hearts and losing at this game
Before I start this dance
I take a chance in telling you
I want more than just romance
You are my destiny
I can't let go
Baby can't you see
Cupid please take your aim at me

Cherish the thought
Of always having you here by my side
Oh baby I cherish the joy
You keep bringing it into my life
I'm always singing it
Cherish your strength
You got the power to make me feel good
And baby I perish the thought
Of ever leaving
I never would

I was never satisfied with casual encounters
I can't hide my need for two hearts that bleed
With burning love
That's the way it's got to be
Romeo and Juliet they never felt this way I bet
So don't underestimate my point of view

Cherish the thought
Of always having you here by my side
Oh baby I cherish the joy
You keep bringing it into my life
I'm always singing it
Cherish your strength
You got the power to make me feel good
And baby I perish the thought
Of ever leaving
I never would

Who? You!
Can't get away, I won't let you
Who? You!
I could never forget to
Cherish is the word I use to remind me of
Your love

You're givin' it
You're givin' it to me boy
Keep giving me all-all-all your joy
Give me faith
I will always cherish you

Romeo and Juliet they never felt this way I bet
So don't underestimate my point of view

Who? You!
Can't get away, I won't let you
Who? You!
I could never forget to
Cherish is the word I use to remind me of
Your love

Cherish
Give me faith
Give me joy, my boy
I will always cherish you
Give me faith
Give me joy, my boy
I will always cherish you

Cherish your strength
(You're givin' it, you're givin' it to me boy)
Can't get away, I won't let you
(Keep giving me all your joy)
Perish the thought
(You're givin' it, you're givin' it to me boy)
I could never forget to
(Keep giving me all your joy)

Cherish the thought
(Give me faith, give me joy, my boy I will always cherish you)
(Can't get away, can't get away)
Cherish the joy
(Give me faith, give me joy, my boy I will always cherish you)
(Can't get away, can't get away)
Cherish the strength
(You're givin' it to me boy, keep giving me all your joy)
(Can't get away, can't get away)
Perish the thought
(You're givin' it to me boy, keep giving me all your joy)
(Can't get away, can't get away)

Cherish the thought
(Give me faith, give me joy, my boy I will always cherish you)
(Can't get away, can't get away)
Cherish the joy
(Give me faith, give me joy, my boy I will always cherish you)
(Can't get away, can't get away)

If you CHERISH something, you treat it with affection and tenderness and you think it's something really important, something to protect and treasure. You can cherish your children, your house, your country or you can cherish a book, a necklace you received from your grandmother before she died or the landscape of your childhood. You can also cherish a memory or a feeling. If you cherish someone's love, you think their love is really valuable, important, and you feel really loving and tender when you think of their love.