Ac‐cent‐tchu‐ate the Positive
The Andrews Sisters & Bing Crosby Lyrics


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You got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mr. In-between
You got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
And have faith, or pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene

To illustrate his last remark
Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
What did they do, just when everything looked so dark?

Man, they said we better ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mr. In-between
No, do not mess with Mister In-Between
Do you hear me?

Oh, listen to me children and-a you will hear
About the eliminatin' of the negative
And the accent on the positive
And gather 'round me children if you're willin'
And sit tight while I start reviewin'
The attitude of doin' right

You've gotta ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mr. In-between
You got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Otherwise (otherwise), pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene

To illustrate my last remark
Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
What did they say
Say when everything looked so dark?

Man, they said we better ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative




Don't mess with Mr. In-between
No, do not mess with Mister In-Between

Overall Meaning

The Andrews Sisters's song "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" is relevant even in today's world, as its timeless message of focusing on the positive aspects of life rather than dwelling on the negative is still applicable. The lyrics advise individuals to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative while latching on to the affirmative and not messing with Mr. In-between. This message prompts us to be optimistic, hopeful, and proactive in challenging situations, rather than allowing fear, doubt, and anxiety to take over. The song also suggests that it is important to spread joy and minimize the gloom in our lives, as pandemonium can arise if we do not do so.


The lyrics go on to illustrate the point that negative circumstances can be turned around if one adopts a positive mindset. The examples of Jonah in the whale and Noah in the ark elucidate that even in the midst of seemingly insurmountable difficulties, they chose to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative and latch on to the affirmative. This attitude of doing right helped them to come out of the worst circumstances unscathed. The song urges listeners to follow in their footsteps and look for the silver lining in every cloud, focusing on positivity in order to overcome all obstacles.


Line by Line Meaning

You got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
You need to emphasize the good things in life


E-lim-i-nate the negative
Get rid of negative thoughts and actions


And latch on to the affirmative
Hold on to positive thoughts and actions


Don't mess with Mr. In-between
Don't be indecisive or uncertain


You got to spread joy up to the maximum
You should make every effort to spread happiness


Bring gloom down to the minimum
Reduce or eliminate negative feelings


And have faith, or pandemonium
Believe in yourself or chaos may ensue


Liable to walk upon the scene
It could appear unexpectedly


To illustrate his last remark
As an example of his point


Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
Biblical figures who overcame adversity


What did they do, just when everything looked so dark?
What actions did they take in difficult times?


Man, they said we better ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
They decided to focus on the good


No, do not mess with Mister In-Between
Don't be hesitant or unsure


Oh, listen to me children and-a you will hear
Pay attention because I will explain


About the eliminatin' of the negative
The importance of removing negativity


And the accent on the positive
And emphasizing positivity


And gather 'round me children if you're willin'
Come closer and listen if you want to


And sit tight while I start reviewin'
Be patient as I explain further


The attitude of doin' right
The mindset of doing what is correct


Otherwise (otherwise), pandemonium
Otherwise, chaos may ensue


To illustrate my last remark
As a further example


What did they say
What were their words?


Say when everything looked so dark?
During a difficult situation


No, do not mess with Mister In-Between
Don't hesitate or be indecisive




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@LandryRobbins

You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between
You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene
To illustrate his last remark
Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
What did they do
Just when everything looked so dark
Man, they said we better, accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between
No, do not mess with Mister In-Between
Do you hear me?
Oh, listen to me children and-a you will hear
About the elininatin' of the negative
And the accent on the positive
And gather 'round me children if you're willin'
And sit tight while I start reviewin'
The attitude of doin' right
You've gotta accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between
You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom, down to the minimum
Otherwise pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene
To illustrate my last remark
Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
What did they say
Say when everything looked so dark
Man, they said we better accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between
No, don't mess with Mister In-Between



@sauquoit13456

On February 23rd, 1945. exactly seventy five years ago today, Bing Crosby and The Andrew Sisters' "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive" peaked at #2 {for 1 week} on Billboard's 'Best-Selling Retail Records' chart, for the week it was at #2, the #1 record for that week was "Rum and Coca-Cola" by The Andrew Sisters...
According to Billboard, "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive" was tied at #2 with "Don't Fence Me In" by Bing Crosby and The Andrew Sisters...
The remainder of the Best-Selling Records' Top 10 on February 23rd, 1945:
At#3. "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive" by Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers
#4. "Rum and Coca-Cola" by Abe Lyman and His Orchestra
#5. "Cocktails For Two" by Spike Jones and His City Slickers
#6. "Candy" by Johnny Mercer with Jo Stafford and The Pied Pipers
#7. "I'm Beginning To See The Light" by Harry James with vocals by Kitty Kallen
#8. "A Little On The Lonely Side" by Frankic Carle with vocals by Paul Allen
#9. "Don't Fence Me In" by Sammy Kaye with vocals by Billy Williams
#10. "I Wanna Get Married" by Gertrude Niesen



All comments from YouTube:

@josukehigashikata6874

Me fighting a scorched deathclaw in the enclave with only bare fists:

@bubblesthebugeye8906

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@Le_Sploingus

It's really been that long since the brotherhood of steel quest line came out?

@schwiftre

Survival mode?

@bencrow6370

i didnt know josuke shared some of my hobbies

@AlmostCoolGuys

Hes the mister they warned about

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@theplaiddad1594

The world could use more music like this today.

@ErioT

That's right, especially after a post-nuclear environment

@TheHarrisontemple

@@ErioT your comment is ageing quite well lmao

@javierrosado611

Definitely

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