Anything Goes
05.Cole Porter Lyrics

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Times have changed
And we've often rewound the clock
Since the Puritans got the shock
When they landed on Plymouth Rock
If today
Any shock they should try to stem
'Stead of landing on Plymouth Rock
Plymouth Rock would land on them

In olden days, a glimpse of stocking
Was looked on as something shocking
But now, God knows
Anything goes
Good authors, too, who once knew better words
Now only use four-letter words
Writing prose
Anything goes

If driving fast cars you like
If low bars you like
If old hymns you like
If bare limbs you like
If Mae West you like
Or me undressed you like
Why, nobody will oppose
When every night the set that's smart is
Intruding at nudist parties in studios
Anything goes

When the Missus Ned McLean (God bless her)
Can get Russian reds to "yes" her
Then I suppose
Anything goes
When Rockefeller still can hoard enough money to let Max Gordon
Produce his shows
Anything goes

The world has gone mad today
And good's bad today
And black's white today
And day's night today
And that gent today
You gave a cent today
Once had several chateaux
When folks who still can ride in jitneys
Find out Vanderbilts and Whitneys
Lack baby clothes
Anything goes

When Sam Goldwyn can with great conviction
Instruct Anna Sten in diction
Then Anna shows
Anything goes
When you hear that Lady Mendl standing up
Now does a handspring landing up on her toes
Anything goes

Just think of those shocks you've got
And those knocks you've got
And those blues you've got
From those news you've got
And those pains you've got
If any brains you've got
From those little radios
So Missus R., With all her trimmin's
Can broadcast a bed from Simmons

'Cause Franklin knows
Anything goes

Overall Meaning

"Anything Goes" is a satirical song from the 1934 musical of the same name by Cole Porter. The song's lyrics present a commentary on the changing social norms of the time, particularly with regards to sexual and linguistic taboos. The first verse references the Puritans and how the founding of America has altered since their arrival, setting a tone for the rest of the song that celebrates the idea of anything being acceptable, no matter how vulgar or immoral, in the modern world. The second verse also touches on the degradation of language and literature, with good authors reducing themselves to using four-letter words.

The chorus repeats the phrase "Anything Goes," which is meant to function as both a statement and a warning. The song suggests that the world has become more accepting of unconventional behaviors, but it also acknowledges that there may be consequences, such as the fact that "the world has gone mad." The bridge of the song highlights the absurdity of some of the things that have become acceptable, including undressing in public and participating in nudist parties, while the final verse touches on the idea of social climbing and how even the traditional rich and wealthy are not impervious to the changes of the time.

Overall, "Anything Goes" is a celebration of the changing norms of society, but it also hints at the danger of such shifts. The song speaks to the cultural moment of the 1930s, when America was emerging from the Great Depression and people were taking advantage of newfound freedoms in the wake of Prohibition's end. The song also reflects the uniquely American attitude of cultural relativism, which prioritizes individual freedom over traditional values.

Line by Line Meaning

Times have changed
The way we live and think today is different from the past

And we've often rewound the clock
We have reviewed the past and relived it in our minds

Since the Puritans got the shock
Since the arrival of the Puritans

When they landed on Plymouth Rock
When they first stepped on Plymouth Rock

If today
In modern times

Any shock they should try to stem
If they tried to stop any scandalous behavior

'Stead of landing on Plymouth Rock
Instead of the actions having consequences for them

Plymouth Rock would land on them
The consequences would return to them

In olden days, a glimpse of stocking
In the past, showing a bit of leg was scandalous

Was looked on as something shocking
It was considered inappropriate

But now, God knows
Today, who knows

Anything goes
Anything is acceptable

Good authors, too, who once knew better words
Even smart writers who used to use advanced vocabulary

Now only use four-letter words
Now only use cursing in their writing

Writing prose
Composing a written work

Anything goes
Anything is acceptable

If driving fast cars you like
If you enjoy driving fast cars

If low bars you like
If you like cheap bars

If old hymns you like
If you enjoy old religious songs

If bare limbs you like
If you enjoy seeing people with little clothing

If Mae West you like
If you appreciate old Hollywood movies

Or me undressed you like
Or if you are interested in seeing me naked

Why, nobody will oppose
Nobody will object to your interests

When every night the set that's smart is
When the wealthy and fashionable people attend

Intruding at nudist parties in studios
Crashing parties where people are naked

Anything goes
Anything is acceptable

When the Missus Ned McLean (God bless her)
When the wife of Ned McLean

Can get Russian reds to "yes" her
Can persuade the Russians to agree with her

Then I suppose
Then I imagine

Anything goes
Anything is acceptable

When Rockefeller still can hoard enough money to let Max Gordon
When Rockefeller can still keep so much money that he can support Max Gordon

Produce his shows
Produce his theater productions

Anything goes
Anything is acceptable

The world has gone mad today
The world has become crazy

And good's bad today
And good is now considered bad

And black's white today
And black is now considered white

And day's night today
And day has become night

And that gent today
And the person today

You gave a cent today
You gave money to that person earlier today

Once had several chateaux
Once owned many castles

When folks who still can ride in jitneys
When the people who still ride in old cars

Find out Vanderbilts and Whitneys
Learn that wealthy people like Vanderbilts and Whitneys

Lack baby clothes
Do not have fancy clothing for babies

Anything goes
Anything is acceptable

When Sam Goldwyn can with great conviction
When Sam Goldwyn can confidently

Instruct Anna Sten in diction
Teach Anna Sten how to speak clearly

Then Anna shows
Then Anna exhibits

Anything goes
Anything is acceptable

When you hear that Lady Mendl standing up
When you hear that Lady Mendl is performing a handstand

Now does a handspring landing up on her toes
Jumping and landing on her toes

Anything goes
Anything is acceptable

Just think of those shocks you've got
Think of those things that have surprised you

And those knocks you've got
And those setbacks you have experienced

And those blues you've got
And those depressing moments you have felt

From those news you've got
From those things you have learned about

And those pains you've got
And those physical and emotional aches you have felt

If any brains you've got
If you are intelligent

From those little radios
From those small radios you listen to

So Missus R., With all her trimmin's
So Mrs. R, with everything she has

Can broadcast a bed from Simmons
Can advertise a bed from Simmons company

'Cause Franklin knows
Because Franklin Roosevelt knows that these things are acceptable

Anything goes
Anything is acceptable

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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