Aretha Franklin - Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive Lyrics

Reminds me of Sam Cooke! ☺️❤️

When Columbia Records signed her and showcased her singing standards, Critics denounced her product. Although Atlantic Records gave us, "The Queen Of Soul" rightfully so, This is classic! She could sing anything!!!

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, hmm?

(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) down to the minimum
Otherwise (otherwise) pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene

To illustrate (well illustrate) my last remark (you got the floor)
Jonah in the whale, Noah in the ark
What did they say (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

I sang this song in a chorus concert and I love it.

Sure enough, each remark, what did you do? Hang on baby.......trumpets baby, we've got to hang on, aaaaaahhhhhhh baby dont mess with Mr. I between,
Bernie 2020

Sing it Re-re!!!

This has to be my favourite rendition of the song

Dr John does a good version also

Ella Fitzgerald's is my fav, but this is a very close second. This here is a bit more carefreely upbeat, which is nice.

@Elgoog Yeah, Ella got it all over all of them.

Rip Aretha you were my inspiration and a big inspiration to many others also

Rest in Peace.

My favorite Aretha

This song is not suited to her style.

Masterclass in phrasing, & ornamenting a melody.

On the record, on the QT and very hush hush

Brilliant XX

Don’t mess with Mr In between love it!

Anyone who went to Pocono trails fat camp knows

love this song😍😍💞💞💓

Fallout 4

❤️❤️❤️

What a great positive message to get on this special birthday❗️

sorry ir i sound dumb but, What means "dont mess with mister in bettewen"?

Asumiré que hablas español.
Quiere decir que si acentúas lo positivo, eliminas lo negativo, tomas lo afirmativo. Lo que queda, ni positivo ni negativo, no te metas con eso porque solo da problemas. Una traducción congruente, mas no literal, diría: "No te metas con lo que queda en medio"

No te preocupes por sonar tonto. Muchos aquí solo hablan un idioma, querer aprender mas de otro nos pone ya delante de aquellos con una sola lengua :)

@Oscar L muchisimas gracias, ya sabia la mayoria de la letra pero esa parte era la que mas me dejo medio picao.

dont mess with God's will?

Wikipedia gives some background on the origin of one of the most popular song in the 1940s, “Accentuate the Positive”.

In 1944, singer/songwriter Johnny Mercer came to hear of one of the Sermons of the Reverend M. J. Divine (better known as FATHER DIVINE), Founder of the International Peace Mission Movement and Fulfiller of Scripture Prophecy of the Second Coming of the Christ for the Christian world and the Coming of the Messiah for the Jewish world. Rev. Divine became well-known to the public in 1931 while carrying on HIS Work and Mission in Sayville, Long Island, New York.

The Rev. Divine’s Sermon subject was “Accentuate the positive to eliminate the negative."

Mercer said, "Wow, that's a colorful phrase!” (according to John Gilliland, Pop Chronicles the 1940’s and Bob McKenzie, “40’s Sounds Return to Radio”). He went back to Hollywood and, together with songwriter Harold Arlen ("Over The Rainbow"), wrote "Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive", which Mercer recorded himself with the Pied Pipers in 1945. It was also recorded by Bing Crosby with the Andrews Sisters that same year. Other artists recording the song include Ella Fitzgerald, Patti Page with Jo Stafford, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler with Bing Crosby, Tami Gunden, Paul McCartney, Dr. John, Thomas Quasthoff with Till Bronner.

She sounded so different when she was younger

Heavy years of cigarette smoking changes your vocal tone. That's what happened to her voice. Also to Whitney Houston too.

Amanda Lorianne Romeo agreed 😁

Me., Dr. John and Queen Rese d'FRANKLIN (as in BEN) ALL say the same thing..... put the first three words of the title and youtube into your search block and see HOW MANY OTHERS AGREE!

The Queen (descendent of Ben?) says the same thing.........

ABSOLUTE -ALLY !! :) What a JOY to experience this listening/loving
musical rendition by the incredibly beautiful ( in every way) Aretha Franklin !!!! What a gift she shares with us ...wrapped up all bubbly in heart and soul ! THANK YOU, dear Mrs.Franklin!!!! :)

Whether you need a pick-me-up at the end or at the beginning of the year, I can think of no better single song to recommend to you than this one wonderfully sung by none other than the SPLENDID Ms. Aretha Franklin herself: "Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive"

#AccentchuateThePositive #AccentuateThePositive #ArethaFranklin #Yearnalism #Attractionese

For Averil

My acro solo song

What a smoking trumpet solo...

This better be in Fallout 4 lol Dem badass.

Fave big band song aretha only makes it better :)

From the middle 8 to the end some of those notes & runs nearly make me weep they're so damn sweet. And the power. Never forget the power in that voice. My Queen.

i always loved this song but never heard it from her til just now! totally blowing my mind :) :)

Muy bonita Canción! C:

omg, yes!!!

My class and I we sing this song at school (woodlands elementary)

We got one person messing with Mr Inbetween

WOW YEAH did she ever belt that one out -- magnificent! Thanks so much for posting this!

wonderful both singer and song

Great Song! Live it!

Wow. Aretha at her best :)))

We do tap to this song at my school, its such a good song!

This is one of my choir songs its cool when my choir sings it but she sings it way better.

i bet you the dislike is a KKK member

this is a good song but sometimes i dont accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative

SHE IS STILL AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

@MrLebeau1685 this is going to be my daily song. :-)

@comicalk I guess you both mean that Columbia wanted to made her sound like Dinah with the production but I'm sorry: Aretha sounds just like ARETHA at her best.

what a great way to start a new day with this song and a cup of my cheap coffee !! I'm so glad Aretha's health is getting better. Thank you so much for uploading this song on youTube guys.

@drwinkle101 If she did not sing Soul songs, would we have ever heard of her?

Best version yet!!

WOW, a great classic with a great voice.

Great Version of this song ! Thank You for posting. I needed to hear this at a time when things for me are not going well.

On a sunny sunday, when I wake up at 10:30 AM. this is the first thing I wanna hear. This makes me really happy!

WTF..... This is the song i sing in chrous. Its sortof gay. Just saying!!

Wonderful :) Johnny mercer is my great grandfather :) love to hear people sing his songs so wonderfully

we are singing this in choir for 9th grade

Wow. That just made my day!

I had this album in 1962 and loved it. Her version of this song has stuck with me ever since. Thanks for finding and uploading this happy tune.

She was only 20 and already a good jazz singer, the way she dances her voice around the beat.

Goosebumps AND a positive message hahaha omg u betta sang Aretha! lol um<3

luv the way she sings it, but it's not the original