On This Day: August 11, 1989 Cherish" enters the Billboard singles chart.

After the -content-wise- heavy loaded Like A Prayer and Express Yourself singles, Madonna chose this light love song as third single. There aren't many other Madonna songs that pay tribute to the beauty of love better than Cherish does. The fans agreed and the single climbed the charts to #2 in the US (kept from the top spot by Janet Jackson's 'Miss You Much') and Japan, #3 in the UK and #4 in Australia.

While the song pretends to be an innocent love song, the video gives it a sexy touch. Directed by the fantastic photographer Herb Ritts - who also made the cover picture of the True Blue album - the video looks like a photo shoot in black, white and blue colors. Madonna swims in the sea between gorgeous mermen (among who is Tony Ward, whom Madonna dated a few years later), wearing a tight (while wet) black dress, showing off her

Lyrics

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 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

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)