For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to return to that magical year of 1985 and show some love to Kool & the Gang’s wedding staple “Cherish. The third single from their sixteenth album’ Emergency.”

Written and produced by the group, “Cherish” featured James “J.T.” Taylor on lead vocals. A simple ballad that could also venture into gospel, “Cherish” is a song about enjoying the time and love we have with those we care about. The lyrics say to hold on and hold on to the love that we have because time isn’t so much as it used to be, and everything is moving forward.

The chorus describes a couple walking hand in hand on the beach, taking it all in. Throughout the song, Taylor’s vocal reminds the listener to remember how much time we spend with those we love and that we never know what tomorrow will bring. The chorus repeatedly says that we are blessed with this love and this life, so remind yourself and cherish it.

In the second verse, the band recognizes that life is transitory, that things may be shifted, and that love is forever. Taylor’s vocals imagine being cut off from their friend or family member and whether they’d survive the night without them.

While I’m sure the song was played to death in its prime, “Cherish” makes us all realize that we have the people in our lives and should be thankful for them and the time we spend with them. It’s a song that asks us to look at the big picture and see what we have — love and life.

Final Grade: B+

“Cherish” from “Emergency” is available on all streaming platforms.