The Song: "Cherish"
In a post from FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015 I talked about my personal story behind my song pick for today's Battle of the Bands. The song "Cherish" was originally released by Kool and the Gang in 1985 as the B-side to the hit "Ladies Night". Sometimes referred to as "Cherish the Love" this "Cherish" is not to be confused with the song of the same title by the group The Association. To hear the original Kool and the Gang version click here, but please do not vote for this version.
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| Cherish (Kool and the Gang song) (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
I usually don't post lyrics, but for this song I will in order to provide more perspective:
- Cherish
- Let's take a walk together near the ocean shore
Hand in hand you and I
Let's cherish every moment we have been given
The time is passing byI often pray before I lay down
By your side
If you receive your calling before I awake
Could I make it through the nightCherish the love we have, we should cherish the life we live
Cherish the love, cherish the life, cherish the love
Cherish the love we have, for as long as we both shall live
Cherish the love, cherish the life, cherish the loveThe world is always changing, nothing stays the same
But love will stand the test of time
The next life that we live in remains to be seen
Will you be by my side
Call me sappy or sentimental--I can be unashamedly so at times--but for me these lyrics carry such a powerful message and I absolutely adore the melody of the song. Enjoy the versions that I have to offer in this round of Battle of the Bands.
The Katinas "Cherish the Love" (2013)
This version of "Cherish the Love" is by a contemporary Christian group consisting of five brothers from American Samoa. The vocals are pretty tasty with some fine harmony and funky back-up. Get into this recording and see what you think.
Pappa Bear "Cherish the Love" (1997)
I've probably said somewhere that I doubted that I'd ever use a rap song for one of my Battles. That was until I found this version of "Cherish". And really this is not so much a rap song as it is a pop song with some rapping added to it. I hope you'll give it a fair listen since it's pretty soft edged as far as rap style songs go.
Originally from Netherlands Antilles, Pappa Bear, with his rap hip-hop style, gives love song "Cherish" a bit of a twist. The recording didn't get much notice in the U.S. but achieved hit status throughout Europe when it was released. This is not too bad to my ears--the kind of rap I can listen to. See how you compare this to the version by The Katinas.
Time to Vote!
I cherish your votes in my song version Battles so I hope you'll add yours. Which song version do you like the best? Surely you think one is better than the other even if you don't like either presentation as much as the original version. Judge what you hear in the above videos. Which version do you prefer? It's up to you to help determine the winner.
Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours
Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:
‘FAR AWAY SERIES’
StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands
‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’
'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'
'Curious as a Cathy'
Sound of One Hand Typing
DC Relief Battle of the Bands
The Doglady's Den
Angel's Bark
Cherdo on the Flipside
Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
Women: We Shall Overcome
Book Lover
J. A. Scott
Quiet Laughter
Holli's Hoots and Hollers
NovelBrews
Results on Monday September 21st
Find out who gets the most votes in my post of Monday September 21st. And don't forget to drop by at Wrote By Rote on Saturday September 19th when I add "Cherish" to the Soundtrack of My Life.
Are there any songs that move you to tears? Do you typically prefer sadder songs or more upbeat songs? Do you have a favorite song by Kool and the Gang?
Katina wins for me. Not a rap fan and don't think that added anything to the song.
ReplyDeleteAlex, nice and straight forward.
DeleteFirst vote goes to The Katinas.
Lee
Hi, Lee! I remember you telling us the story of how this Kool and the Gang recording grew on you. Seems it was a perfect song to accompany you on your recent trip to the Jersey Shore.
ReplyDeleteI have gotten into the habit of closing my eyes or looking away in each and every BOTB to prevent the video itself from influencing my vote. When I watched the movie Spring Breakers (shot right here in my hood) for the first time two years ago, it changed my taste in music. For the first time in my life it opened me up to rap, hip hop, house, dubstep, Chicago drill, extreme heavy metal and other styles that I never thought I'd even try much less enjoy. I have tried them and I do enjoy them. That is why I am going to save you from a shut-out and vote for Pappa Bear. Call me crazy, but I love the rap and those deep beats.
Thanks, Lee!
Shady saves the day from the git go.
DeleteA vote for Pappa Bear.
Lee
I thought it would be tough to top Kool & the Gang's version but I really liked the Katinas. Their version is so tight.
ReplyDeleteWhen you mentioned rap, I thought No way would I like that version. I'm just so not into rap. But this wasn't bad at all.
Still my vote is going with the Katinas.
Great battle for a great song!
Michele at Angels Bark
Michele, if the rap version had really grated on me like so much rap usually does I wouldn't have used this.
DeleteThe Katinas!
Lee
Tough choice. I don't like rap, I don't like the boy band sound of the Katinas, but I think they're the better of the two evils: I at least finished listening to that song while I couldn't finish the other.
ReplyDeleteMadilyn, I guess The Katinas do have a "boy band" sound, but it didn't strike me quite in that way.
DeleteThe lesser of "two evils" is The Katinas.
Lee
I actually like some rap, so that wasn't the issue. It was more that with this song the "concept" wasn't the same with the Pappa Bear version. Like many rap songs, they use a familiar chorus and then change the rest. To me, that doesn't actually make it the same song.
ReplyDeleteSo, my vote goes to The Katinas with the note that I would've enjoyed it more had they played to their strength (excellent harmonies) all the way through.
Robin, I guess the rap versions are a twist to fit the genre.
DeleteAnother vote for The Katinas.
Lee
This is a first! I actually preferred the rap version of this song and I don't like rap, in general, at all. Well done, Lee! ☺
ReplyDeleteThe vocal tones were more pleasing to my ears. Put me down for Pappa Bear.
Debbie D, I'm like you about rap, but I have heard a few rap songs that I've found to be tolerable and in some cases even good.
DeleteGot you down for Pappa Bear
Lee
I am with you that I don't like very much hip hop and almost no rap. There are a few songs in those genres I like, but this is not one of them. I'll admit it could have been much worse... but that is faint praise.
ReplyDeletePappa bear takes a sentimental song and adds: "But there is only one exception to da rule and that is loot and a big bag of it.” Ah, the deep, heartfelt emotion of true love! Oh, well! If you - my love - die before I wake, I guess I'll just pray "that the gold stays on my ring and if not I’ll spray that shit on again.”
I am afraid that this deserves to be a blowout, but you'll have some listeners prove their expansive musical tastes with a vote for P.B. I am skeptical.
KATINAS.
SBB6, I see the lyrics of the Pappa Bear rap differently than your explanation. I don't understand all the references he makes, but my take on the general gist of it all is that the narrator is still being sentimental but from the standpoint of someone culturally different. I didn't find this blatantly offensive like much of the rap I hear and this actually expresses similar sentiments as the original version though not in the same way that I would have expressed it or that moves me like the original. Some of the lines like the ones you quoted and others I found to be rather clever.
DeleteI expected that this might be a blowout, but so far two voters have rescued me from that. I don't think it was a matter of having to "prove their expansive musical tastes" at all, but a matter of what appealed to their ears at the moment. More than once have I voted as such.
Another vote for The Katinas.
Lee
"I don't think it was a matter of having to "prove their expansive musical tastes" at all, but a matter of what appealed to their ears at the moment."
DeleteThat's it, exactly! Thanks, Lee.
Kudos to anyone who attempts to compete with the Kool and the Gang version! And while I don't think anyone does it better, Pappa Bear was not at all hard to listen to but The Katinas get my vote for the soothing rhythm and smooth vocals.
ReplyDeleteDiedre, the original version is so good that it would be difficult to outdo it.
DeleteFor you it's The Katinas.
Lee
I gave Pappa Bear a chance to bowl me over, but I believe the comment by Sheboyganboy VI reverberated my feelings precisely. My vote goes to The Katinas, Lee!
ReplyDeleteCathy, and so it goes--
DeleteThe Katinas.
Lee
I like how Robin described the "rap" impact on this song.
ReplyDeleteI have long defended rap as a musical form (try to write a rap song-it's tough), but it is often a lazy medium, where they sample a hit (presumably for the recognition factor) and go off on their own tangent-as Robin says, it's not the same song.
So, here's another vote for the Katinas-who I expect to win this by a landslide.
Larry, I give credit to rappers for their skill--it's something that I don't know that I could do well, not that I'd really want to do it though. In the case of Pappa Bear I think he retains the spirit of the original song pretty well.
DeleteFrom the outset I was expecting a landslide for The Katinas if not a shut out in their favor. I was worth a shot though since there were that many covers of this song that I wanted to use for my Soundtrack of my Life entry.
Another vote for The Katinas.
Lee
The Katinas get my vote, I like their version much better, more heartfelt, I like their harmonizing, and the presentation seems to fit the words better. I'm not a fan of rap lead-ins. . . And I'm glad you didn't have the Association in the battle, not a fan of theirs...
ReplyDeleteDG, don't like the Association? They're great in my opinion, but I guess you must have your reasons for not liking their music.
DeleteA vote for The Katinas.
Lee
Well, this was a real toughie. It took me all of about five minutes and fifteen seconds to decide that I'm voting for THE KATINAS. (4:52 of their version plus 00:23 of Papa Bear's version.)
ReplyDeleteI feel that Sheboyganboy Six nailed it.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
STMcC, I didn't totally agree with SBB6's reaction, but I do have an inkling of why a lot of listeners react the way they do to rap music. I'm not generally a fan of the genre, but I do enjoy some of what I've heard.
DeleteAgain it's The Katinas.
Lee
I'm surprised Stephen got through twenty seconds of the rap version....he must have walked across the room and it took him fifteen seconds to get back to they keyboard!
DeleteLC ~
DeleteHa!-Ha!
Actually, the "rapping" doesn't start until 00:20. So, technically, I really only lasted for 3 or 4 seconds of the Rap crap. :-)
~ D-FensDogG
Please place my vote for the Katinas. Like you, the other song is a rap I could actually listen to. But not for this song. As for your other questions, I do like most genres. At least I can pick out a few songs from each genre and say I actually like it. I do listen to slower or sadder songs. Usually when I'm in a depressed mood. I find it helps intensify my mood, which is when I usually write poetry, and I think I write it better then.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey, you've got it--
DeleteYour vote goes to The Katinas
Lee
I find it interesting that you and I agree on one thing here; the version by Papa Bear DOES bring a tear to my eye also, although probably not for the same reason it does yours.
ReplyDeletePlease give my vote to the Katinas.
FAE, actually it's the original Kool and the Gang version that brings a tear to my eye. The Pappa Bear version brings more like a smile of amusement.
DeleteA vote for The Katinas.
Lee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteI'm not a Kool & Gang fan, however I do like this song. Serious differences in these two versions.I thought Katinas were okay, at first, but I went to hear Pappa Bear, and now I think ~ Katinas were awesome!
Katinas it is!
Dixie, poor Pappa Bear.
DeleteA vote for The Katinas
Lee
Lovely lyrics like these deserves to be sung properly....not Rap.
ReplyDeleteso you know who I vote for.
Great post Lee.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, I am putting you down for...
DeleteThe Katinas.
Lee
I never listened to that song...i always dialed away on my radio. Nice lyrics though, but I still don't like the song. But speaking of the other Cherish, by Association, I saw David Cassidy do that in concert about 9 years ago.
ReplyDeleteJoJo, when "Cherish" first came out I basically ignored it. Now I guess I'm just a sentimental old coot.
DeleteLee
Oh, wow... Cherish is one of the songs I consider as background music to my teenage years... Never liked it much (a tad too corny for this Pink Floyd fan), but impossible to ignore in its ubiquitousness :D The Katinas version is good, very close to the original although the funky beat brings it forward a few years. But Pappa Bear does a GREAT job with it! *And* he's from Curaçao... How can I not vote for him? ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat battle, Lee!
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter
Guilie, I've heard people call the song corny or cheesy. Now I'm getting hungry.
DeleteA vote for poor Pappa Bear
Lee
Well, I found the Katinas like a wet rag again-ok more like a wet handshake-one must travel into my mind which is a strange place for sure. Ever have a person stretch out their arm to shake you hand and when you take their hand to give a nice good solid handshake, their hand just lies in yours like a wet noodle? You really have no idea what to do with it except do a quick handshake and drop the wet rag of a hand and never want to shake it again? Ok that;s is my thinking for the Katrinas-I am so not into boy bands. I also dislike Rap crap as I normally call it but this version was easier to deal with and more unique than the first. I also love the instrument they used (mandolin??) So The rap boys get my vote-Oh yes Pappa Bear:)
ReplyDeleteBirgit, whew, that was quite a thing.
DeleteThe instrument to which I believe you are referring sounds like maybe a harpsichord or a synthesizer.
A vote for Pappa Bear.
Lee
I have an eclectic taste in music; I'll listen to just about anything. The Katinas version was good; it's somewhat similar to the original, but with a little extra something. Pappa Bear added a new twist to the song. Being from the Bronx, I like rap, hip-hop, and freestyle music. This is easy listening in terms of rap, but I liked it. My vote goes to Pappa Bear.
ReplyDeleteLilica, looks like the rap fans are coming out late at night. Cool!
DeleteAnother vote comes the way of Pappa Bear.
Lee
I love the original of this, and I didn't think anyone could improve on it until I heard the Katinas. I didn't care for Pappa Bear's version at all, especially with the cussing and everything. The Katinas win this one for me.
ReplyDeleteJohn, a lot of the rap I usually hear makes Pappa Bear's version sound like grade school stuff.
DeleteAnd we're back with another vote for The Katinas.
Lee
I vote The Katinas! I like their cleaner sound, much more appealing.
ReplyDeleteLoni, okay! I'll put you down for...
DeleteThe Katinas.
Lee
I vote The Katinas...they do have a bit of the boy band sound, in a way that I enjoy.
ReplyDeleteJoyce, "boy band" did not come to my mind, but now that it's been mentioned I guess they do have that sound. But of course they are "boys" so why wouldn't they?
DeleteA vote for The Katinas.
Lee
My vote goes to the Katinas! Thank you so much for your visit and kind comment on my blog today. Please know that you are welcome anytime!
ReplyDeleteLinda, sorry I don't get around more!
DeleteThanks for your vote for The Katinas
Lee
I think SB6 made a valid point, but fortunately for Papa Bear I tend to turn words I can't understand into one more instrument. And so the "instrumentation" of the second gets the nod over what I perceive to be the bland vocals of the first.
ReplyDeleteLet the landslide take it down...
CW, at least this contest didn't turn out to be the absolute shut out that it could have been.
DeletePappa Bear
Lee
I was so happy to see your visit Lee. Thank you. I have missed you. I am stumped as to who to pick. I never was a Kool and the Gang (more like a Led Zeppelin fan) fan. But this is THE song they did that I truly loved. I am NOT a fan of rap either. I enjoyed listening to The Katinas.
ReplyDeleteThey have my vote. I LOVED The Association, Lee. Gee, you have taken me down memory lane. :-)
Robyn, I've slowed down so much with visiting over the past few months and now I've been trying to catch up with a lot of bloggers.
DeleteGot you for The Katinas.
Lee
The Katinas version get my vote, more straight forward with the song
ReplyDeleteMike, thanks for you vote for..
DeleteThe Katinas
Lee
A tough choice, as both versions are very well done. I remember the Kool and The Gang version, and Kitana stays true to the original. They do harmonize well.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll vote for Papa Bear though. I'm kinda in the mood for something different I guess. While I'm not opposed to rap, can't usually listen to much of it, except when it is coupled with some pop or country. Linkin Park is one of my fav groups after all.
I'll vote for Papa tonight. Just the right vibe, and I did appreciate the changes to the lyrics. Well done.
Dolorah, when the mood strikes, follow it.
DeleteYou're in the mood for Pappa Bear.
Lee
They were both intriguing versions - I like the tones of the Katrinas - and the unique style of Papa Bear. Hmmm. I think I prefer the Katrinas overall so they'll get my vote :)
ReplyDeleteWait, don't close the polls yet! We're fashionably late but still here.
ReplyDeleteDon't tell anyone, but we like a bit of rap. Pappa Bear's version kinda misses the mark, though. His rapping isn't particularly spectacular, and it doesn't really add anything to the song. I'm not exactly fond of the Katina's version, but I would call their version better. Another vote for them.