Many people of a certain age will remember Bing Crosby, one of the most iconic American singers and actors of the 20th century. It was he, along with The Andrews Sisters, who, in 1945, recorded his version of the song Accentuate the Positive (Eliminate the Negative). Originally written by Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen in 1944, the song quickly became a wartime favourite with its catchy melody and uplifting message.
Bing and The Andrews Sisters may have been singing to a 1940s audience, but Perky reflects that there may be something of a present-day lesson for life in the lyrics of this song.
More than just a cheerful tune, ‘Accentuate the Positive’ conveys a simple but enduring piece of advice: focus on what is good, don’t dwell on what is bad, and avoid indecision. And, as the lyrics suggest, ‘don’t mess with Mister In-Between.’ At a time when our nation was still reeling from the effects of World War II, such a message brought much-needed encouragement and hope.
After many years, the song’s core message remains surprisingly relevant and serves as a timeless reminder that attitude, as much as circumstance, shapes how we experience the world.
Today, we see this philosophy in action in countless small but powerful ways. Consider communities rallying to support one another after natural disasters, neighbours offering shelter, volunteers distributing food, and people choosing to focus on rebuilding rather than despair. Even in the workplace, leaders are increasingly recognising the virtues of prioritising employee wellbeing through encouragement, choosing to highlight achievements, rather than dwelling excessively on problems.