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Accentuate The Positive Lyrics
Artist: Johnny Mercer
Album: Accentuate The Positive
Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive
- Artist: Johnny Mercer as sung on "Remember the 40's-Music Of the War Years
Vol. IV, 1941-45" CEMA Special Markets (Capitol-EMI) CDL-57367
- peak Billboard position # 1 in 1945
- competing versions charted by Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters (#2),
Artie Shaw (#5), and Kay Kyser (#12)
- Words and Music by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer
Gather 'round me, everybody
Gather 'round me while I'm preachin'
Feel a sermon comin' on me
The topic will be sin and that's what I'm ag'in'
If you wanna hear my story
The settle back and just sit tight
While I start reviewin'
The attitude of doin' right
You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
And 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's
Liable to walk upon the scene
To illustrate my last remark
Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
What did they do just when everything looked so dark?
(Man, they said "We'd better accentuate the positive")
("Eliminate the negative")
("And latch on to the affirmative")
Don't mess with Mister In-Between (No!)
Don't mess with Mister In-Between
(Ya got to spread joy up to the maximum)
(Bring gloom down to the minimum)
(Have faith or pandemonium's)
(Liable to walk upon the scene)
You got to ac (yes, yes) -cent-tchu-ate the positive
Eliminate (yes, yes) the negative
And latch (yes, yes) on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between
No, don't mess with Mister In-Between
Transcribed by Robin Hood
These lyrics were transcribed from the specific recording mentioned above
and do not necessarily correspond with lyrics from other recordings, sheet
music, songbooks or lyrics printed on album jackets.
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Comments/Interpretations
what do you think Mercer meant by "...don't mess with mister in between....?"
don't mess with the neutral or sitting on the fence. don't mess with the half-ass sort of yes sort of no type of thing. just balls to the walls positivity. it really is doable.
great lyrics where can i get a cd
dont messs with mr in between means
be positive or negative and avoid the middle ground
dear boys, what Mr. Mercer was talking about is from the Bible. God said if you are neither hot nor cold (regarding him,} he will spew you out of his mouth. You're either his or not, no "mister in between"! Golly that seems to me to be even more hard hitting than the vulgar way estephan put it.
I love this song. It makes me want to do something with my life!
dear Nan, what Mr. Mercer was talking about was secular pop music drawing from gospel spirituality by pointing out to all of us that the Bible is full of vulgarity - that vulgarity must be recognized and even felt to be overcome. estaphan's interpretation is nothing more than updating it into current language, rather well, and much more in line with the idea of the song than a condemning shot might be.
"Mr. In-Between" = indecisiveness or indecision, vascillating this way and that. The message: stay positive and don't get stuck in the negatives of the past. Learn from your mistakes of course but CHARGE into the future toward one's goals. Don't sit around "hung up in maybe this / maybe that." That's what I get out of it anyway.
I really like this song- but it doesn't make me want to do something w/ my life lol. However, it does make me want to sing!
The Messianic Motto is best described by these wonderful songlines written in a time of war, foreboding and quiet hop and grace.
Does anyone know if this song was ever in a Broadway Musical or Movie?
Dont wess with mr. in between means dont mess with the nagative
this should be a song for our times
This is definitely a song for our times. I agree with Michael, Mr. In-between is "indecisiveness" or "maybe" as those words are "no action" Mr. In-between is "doubt" and a person in "doubt" is hung up on an indecision and won't progress until he makes up his mind one way or another i.e. "the affirmative" "No" is not always negative, like "say no to drugs", this is a positive, and affirmative. "No, I don't want to be a slave" would be another example. Great song! One of the best artist for words of his time! Go Johnny Mercer!!
Another interpretation: Don't impose values on others; don't condition people to adopt your way of thinking. The context and word-choice are important - "Don't mess with...", but rather, live your own life as best you know how. One can take the song as gospel, or as example. To be warned-off messing with the non-committed suggests openness rather than ideology.
To answer Kathy's question, this song was from Paramount Pictures "Here Come The Waves" in 1944, was nominated for an Academy Award but did not win.
How do we get this song to our media people, press/TV/radio? They constantly "Accentuate the
Negative". We are all aware of
the present economy,due to their
constant "gloom". Even when there
is good news they end it with a "but", then add on ome "gloom". Get the media to "Accentuate The Positive" and advise them "Don"t mess with Mister-In-Between"
I love this song im singing it for chorus
Yes. Kathy, this tune was used in the opening credits of the 1998 film L.A. Confidential
I am using this song in my class. I teach design process.
Has anyone ever heard Tony Bennett's remake of this? It is on an CD released in 1998 that is geared for children, called The Playground. It is great!
Just put on Dr. John's version and sang along using these lyrics. Boy, am I uplifted!
I remember this song from the disney movie.. it was robin hood, right?
I have no clue, all I know is I'm doing this song for the Winter Concert for Chorus. But, I had to change some of the words around, like "You've got to spread joy up to the maximum" should read "You've got to spread spread joy joy up to the maximum", and a few other things. But I really do enjoy this song, it's easy to sing but also very fun!
so it doesn`t have any pictures
dddddddddaaaaaaaaa~~~~..............
I really hate this song, not so much the melody but the lyrics in particular.
its a great song of its time and still gets our feet tapping! The expression'gospel'used by PBSF is interesting as that book is a long novel and written by various people[not by Nan's God] and is full of nonsense and borrowed myths. wonderful that Mercer should have found inspiration from a real person.
Johnny Mercer wrote lyrics to something like 1,500 songs. Such talent! Check Wikipedia and read about Mr. Mercer. His lyrics are so intelligent and entertaining and cute. His Gift for words to music is exceptional.
I'm making this my New Year's resolution....Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative. I think the end result will be a very up-beat, happy, joyful me. Happy 2010.
IM LEARNING THIS SONG
Bill Drax was correct saying it was in the movie "Here Come the Waves". Bing Crosby sang it in Black Face which was still popular during WWII. The movie included it in a stage production for recruiting women into the WAVES. Quite delightful, well sung and acted; a real toe-tapper. If you love this song, don't miss this production.
Saaay, do you suppose Mercer was suggesting that we should avoid masterbating..., you know "...don't mess with Mr. In-Between"? (In between your legs??)
I think Mr. Mercer was saying that we should not be wishy-washy or lackadaisical towards life's challenges. The secret of life is to think positive thoughts, putting negativity out of your mind.
If you focus on negative thoughts, you cannot possibly achieve a positive attitude, and a focused and satisfying life.
You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemonium's
Liable to walk upon the scene
---
This comment here references opposing views --- from differing time periods. Are we in 1940 wartimes as was this composer's life point of view was?
---
We are not! We are in 2010. And in the the times when "Paradise lost: a poem in twelve books
By John Milton" was written.... You will find these words....
---
To chase thy gloom.—' Go, fix some weighty truth ;
Chain down some passion ; Jo some generous good ;
Teach Ignorance to see, or Grief to smile ;
Correct thy friend ; befriend thy greatest foe ;
---
Go Figure it out.
@GRUWUP 2010
Great Reasons Urbans Will Unite Peace
Great Song; I hope my granddaughter, age 2 1/2, will hear it in time.
No one seems to have mentioned that this was used at the end of the film "LA Confidential"...
Kathy, it was also used in "The
Mighty Ducks"
there's a version by Dr. John that was played at the end of last week's episode of Treme, it was great. I found it on YouTube, along with versions by Ella, Bing,Bing and Bette, the Andrews Sisters and others. Great song, great message
i saw this song on 7th heaven.
Simply means like one other person above mentioned. Either be hot or cold but not lukewarm. Like the bible mentions Christ says in Revelations 3:15-16 about being hot or cold but if you be lukewarm he would spew them out. So lukewarm is "Mr. in between" which is worse than cold. Simply that and nothing else. By the way, to the person about who mentioned the bible is full of myths.....the bible is the most accurate book of any book ever written, period.
I too am fond of this song. It was also the theme song for a TV show in the 90's called "The Homefront" , that was about WWII. Anybody remember that? I liked that show.
My favourite song of all time .
To those who claim that faith has nothing to do with this song - look it up. Mercer stated that he got the idea for this song from a sermon.
My mother, who suffered much in her life, would bring stacks of LP's, 45's, and even some 78's home from the public library, Oak Ridge, TN. Many of the songs were overtly positive. Although, at the time, I did not get all the verses, the first quatrain(?) was among my childhood mind-shapers.
This is the song I'll be teaching to residents at Timber Ridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Ocala Florida at our morning "Musical Memories" program. Appropriate - Yeah?
TODAY,MARCH23, 2012 I AWAKENED WI TH THIS SONG IN MY HEART aCCENTUATE THE pOSITIE. IT WAS MY FAVORITE SONG AS A TEENAGER.I RACED TO THE INTERENET TO FIND THE WORDS FOR THIS WILL BE THE THEME FOR OUR NEXT TEA. SO APPROPRITE FOR THIS ERA.
Does anyone remember this song from the opening credits of 'blast from the past'? We need to focus on values of this type during modern day breakdown of morals and values. From the song and film. Honesty, support and trust. Things i feel we are losing in society. :(
Love this song... And anything positive. Blast from the Past was awesome.
Say to yourself: things just naturally go right for me. See what happens.
Thanks a lot, Valero. I couldn't understand what mess with mr. in between meant, until I read your comment. Of course it means don't masturbate. Then it's funny and to the point.
Heard it on colbert report
Mr. Johnny Mercer was associated with the religious group called "International Peace Mission" in which they believe that God returned to earth in the form of a man named "Father Devine". This song was written as a tribute to the teachings of Father Devine.
Julie Andrews and Stephen Colbert Sang it on his show. Their "routine" was unrehearsed and hilarious. She was there to promote her book and they never touched on it,...although Julie did imply some touching was going on backstage and sexual harassment suits would soon follow. Stephen Colbert is usually good at keeping a straight face but he lost it during this interview. It was something to see.
Mr. In-Between is the 'polite' response that we give people when we are trying not to offend. The lyrics are telling us to speak our truth, be honest, but focus on the positive aspect. Speaking our truth with love focuses our attention on positive energy, and eliminates negative energy.
sounds like the prophet has spoken...uh, i mean sang!
I am 71. this was the first song I remember and my father used to sing it to me when I was a toddler and my mother used to sing it later on when I was having problems making decisions.
During the war years they needed to have songs like this to help us get along with life and not feel doom and gloom. I wasn't there but my parents were. And they did accentuate the positive. You can interpret as a gospel song if you want. But it is about staying positive which is what we all need right now. Thank you.
The song is not about masturabation!!!
Mr. In Between is "Satan" In other words, stay positive, do right and dont mess with the devil in between!
Channel this & Moonbeams as your Bing-bing Budda. Not Rupert Merdork & Fox News. Write your own Masterpiece!
Rev. Sonia. That's your personal perspective, as a Rev., but I'm sure Mr. Mercer never implied any demon or devil in his song lyrics. Some things are just what they are.
This song should be the mantra of every middle and high school teacher in the nation!
Just shut up and enjoy the song!
Stupid BS for morons
I'm 79 years old and I have been using this part of the song as my
Inspiration to always be a Positive thinker and never be negative about anything. When you to that your positive thinking turns to yes you can. Mister In Between is all the junk that runs through the thinking process that you should just forget.
"You've got to accentuate the positive Eliminate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between"
Inspiration to always be a Positive thinker and never be negative about anything. When you to that your positive thinking turns to yes you can. Mister In Between is all the junk that runs through the thinking process that you should just forget.
"You've got to accent-the-positive
Eliminate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between"
He meant quit riding the fence take positive action otherwise nothing would change and life would suck
These lyrics have been ringing in my head as I am feeling moved to take action, not always Against bad things and not always in the Us vs. Them that pervades our lives and Planet - but For Love & Common Ground & Seeking the Good. How often do we see this approach to making this a better and happier world (Note: As a Quaker and long-time Alternatives to Violence person, I have found many great instances of transformation of bad situations.)
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I believe this song is an inspiration to everyone, young and old alike. Whatever Mr Mercer's reasons for writing this song it has obviously had a profound affect on a lot of people. Everyone's perception of the lyrics will vary considerably, we all see things differently. My advice don't over analyse it too much, just enjoy the song and what it means to you.
It's 2016 and evil is trying to take over the world (particularly Israel), sometimes obviously, sometimes sublimely - even more so than in the 1940's. Just live up to the words of this song! Thank you Mr Mercer!
Watch out for Mr In-Between
Woke up with the words of this song from my childhood and needed to find all the lyrics plus author. For me they are just what I needed for my self confidence after my Bible reading and devotionals. Great that you have so many interested people commenting!
What a message!!!! :)
I was born in 1939 so I remember this song as a child growing up. I could only remember the chorus, so looked up all of the lyrics on this web site. Thank you for all the words. The message is still important for all of us live by today...
i'm teaching from the book of Jonah. Song is a good parallel to Jonah's life
Guys Guys Guys! C'mon, REALLY doesn't anyone pay attention to absurd references between biblituary rethoric and ultimately vulgar disposal of Language of the Time? Mr. In between! Remember that it was Genius Bäck at the Time, but obviously demonstrates the working of the code today still and also. Nag all you want but this is a mafia-hit-song you numbnuts!
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its a harmless song you freak go back to playing your death video games
it bring back good feelings. he wrote many songs with great lyric. i could remember the words and sing along. i love it SING
Love this song. It makes me realize we are what we think. I choose the positive.