Anything Goes
Anything Goes Lyrics

Times have changed
Society has evolved over time

And we've often rewound the clock
Sometimes we revert to past ideas and ways of thinking

Since the puritans got a shock
Since Puritans were surprised by new ways of thinking that contradicted their beliefs

When they landed on Plymouth rock
When the Puritans first arrived in the New World

If today any shock they might try to stem
If anyone tries to resist change and progress

'Stead of landing of Plymouth rock
They will be the ones receiving the shock

Plymouth rock would land on them
The Puritan ideals would no longer be the norm

In olden days a glimpse of stocking
In the past, even a small amount of skin was seen as scandalous

Was looked on as something shocking
It was considered unacceptable behavior

But now God knows
In modern times

Anything goes
Almost anything is acceptable

Good authors to
Respected writers

Who once knew better words
Who used to use more sophisticated language

Now only use four letter words
Now only use vulgar language

Writing prose
When composing literary works

Anything goes
Anything can be included in these works

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

If low bars you like
If you prefer seedy drinking establishments

If old hymns you like
If you appreciate traditional church music

If bare limbs you like
If you find exposed body parts appealing

If Mae West you like
If you're a fan of the American actress

Or me undressed you like
Or if you find me attractive unclothed

Why nobody will oppose
There are no objections to what anyone likes

When every night
During each evening

The set that's smart
The fashionable elite

Is intruding on nudist parties
Attending nudist gatherings

In studios
In film and media production centers

Anything goes
Anything is permissible in these contexts

When Mrs. Ned McClean God bless her
When the wealthy socialite

Can get Russian reds to yes her
Can influence Bolsheviks to support her

Than I suppose
I guess anything can happen

Anything goes
There are no limits to what can occur

When Rockafeller still can hoard
When the wealthy businessman can still accumulate vast amounts of money

Enough money to let Max Gordon
Enough wealth to finance the shows of Max Gordon

Produce his shows
The ability to fund theatrical productions

Anything goes
Financial power allows anything to happen

The world has gone mad today
The state of the world is irrational and unpredictable

And good's bad today
What is considered good is seen as bad

And black's white today
The world has been turned upside down

And day's night today
The natural order has been disrupted

And that gent today
And the man today

You gave a cent today
Whom you donated money to today

Once owned several chateaux
Used to own multiple castles

When folks
People

Who still can ride in Jitney's
Who can still ride in cheap, old cars

Find out Vanderbilts and Whitney's
Discover that even the super wealthy Vanderbilt and Whitney families

Lack baby clo'es
Do not have enough clothes for their children

Anything goes
Even the richest people face shortages and uncertainties

When Sam Goldwyn
When the famous movie producer

Can with great conviction
Can convincingly

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

Than Anna shows
Anna demonstrates

Anything goes
Skill and talent can emerge in unlikely places

When you hear that
When it is reported that

Lady Mendl standing up
Lady Mendl

Now turns a handspring landing up
Is able to perform a complex acrobatic move

On her toes
While balancing on the tips of her feet

Anything goes
People are capable of surprising feats

Just think of those shocks you've got
Consider the surprises and difficulty you've experienced

And those knocks you've got
And the blows you've received

And those blues you've got
And the sadness you've felt

From those news you've got
From the reports and information you've received

And those pains you've got
And the hurts you've endured

(If any brains you've got)
(If you have any intelligence)

From those little radios
From the small devices that broadcast the news

So Mrs. R.
So Mrs. Roosevelt

With all her trimmin's
With all that comes with her status and position

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

Cause Franklin knows
Because President Roosevelt is aware

Anything goes
Even the first lady is taking part in bold advertising tactics