Anything Goes
Anything Goes - 1989 London Cast Lyrics
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And we've often rewound the clock,
Since the Puritans got a 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.
The world has gone mad today
And good's bad today,
And black's white today,
And day's night today,
When most guys today
That women prize today
Are just silly gigolos
And though I'm not a great romancer
I know that I'm bound to answer
When you propose,
Anything goes
When grandmama whose age is eighty
In night clubs is getting matey with gigolo's,
Anything Goes.
When mothers pack and leave poor father
Because they decide they'd rather be tennis pros,
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 in nudist parties in studios,
Anything Goes.
The world has gone mad today
And good's bad today,
And black's white today,
And day's night today,
When most guys today
That women prize today
Are just silly gigolos
And though I'm not a great romancer
I know that I'm bound to answer
When you propose,
Anything goes
If saying your prayers you like,
If green pears you like
If old chairs you like,
If back stairs you like,
If love affairs you like
With young bears you like,
Why nobody will oppose!
And though I'm not a great romancer
And though I'm not a great romancer
I know that I'm bound to answer
When you propose,
Anything goes...
Anything goes!
The song "Anything Goes" from the musical of the same name initially debuted in 1934 and has since been adapted and performed by various artists with a few lyrical tweaks depending on the adaptation. The 2003 London Cast adaptation that we are referring to herein is a compilation of various versions with a revival adaptation authored by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman.
The opening lines of the song “Times have changed, and we’ve often rewound the clock” set the tone for the entire musical, taking the audience back to the jazz age of the 1930s, a time of change, social upheaval, and decadence. With references to the Puritan shock when they landed on Plymouth Rock, the song describes the societal evolution of what was once considered scandalous (a glimpse of stocking) being acceptable to the point that anything goes. The lyrics go further to reference the emergence of less than desirable male pursuits such as gigolos being the prize possession of women.
The lyrics of the song, while seemingly nonsensical, critique and comment on the changing society of America at the time, with its evolving mores and values. It celebrates a time of freedom, fun, and disregard for convention, where clothes are optional, and love affairs with young bears and gigolos are on the table.
Line by Line Meaning
Times have changed,
Things are different now compared to the past.
And we've often rewound the clock,
We have revisited the past and its customs.
Since the Puritans got a shock,
Since the Puritans were surprised and shocked.
When they landed on Plymouth Rock.
When the Puritans arrived and established themselves at Plymouth Rock.
If today,
In the present time if...
Any shock they should try to stem,
If any surprise or shock they were to try and stop.
'Stead of landing on Plymouth Rock,
Instead of coming to Plymouth Rock again.
Plymouth Rock would land on them.
They would be in for a surprise themselves.
In olden days a glimpse of stocking
In the past, a view of a lady's stocking
Was looked on as something shocking,
Was considered scandalous or shocking.
But now, God knows,
But now, who knows what is considered shocking or scandalous.
Anything Goes.
Anything is considered acceptable or permissible.
Good authors too who once knew better words,
Once great writers have started using simple, vulgar language.
Now only use four letter words
Their writing has been reduced to using short, profane language.
Writing prose, Anything Goes.
When it comes to writing, there are no standards to follow anymore.
The world has gone mad today
The current situation is insane and crazy.
And good's bad today,
The concept of good or bad has been turned upside down.
And black's white today,
The traditional meanings of right and wrong are no longer valid.
And day's night today,
Even the traditional difference between day and night has been blurred.
When most guys today
These days, most men
That women prize today
Are those that women find valuable or attractive today.
Are just silly gigolos
Are just foolish male escorts.
And though I'm not a great romancer
Although I may not be a great romantic.
I know that I'm bound to answer
I know I must respond
When you propose,
When you ask me for something or to do something.
Anything goes
Anything is permitted.
When grandmama whose age is eighty
Even grandmothers in their eighties
In night clubs is getting matey with gigolo's,
Are socializing with young male escorts in nightclubs.
When mothers pack and leave poor father
When mothers leave their husbands and children behind
Because they decide they'd rather be tennis pros,
To pursue a career as tennis players.
If driving fast cars you like,
If you enjoy driving fast cars
If low bars you like,
If you like going to sleazy bars
If old hymns you like,
If you enjoy old church songs
If bare limbs you like,
If you like looking at scantily clad people
If Mae West you like
If you like the actress Mae West
Or me undressed you like,
If you like seeing me naked.
Why, nobody will oppose!
No one will object or stand in your way.
When every night,
Every night,
The set that's smart
The fashionable crowd
Is intruding in nudist parties in studios,
Are attending parties where people are nude.
Anything Goes.
Anything is allowed or acceptable.
If saying your prayers you like,
If you enjoy praying
If green pears you like
If you like green pears
If old chairs you like,
If you like old chairs
If back stairs you like,
If you're interested in back stairs
If love affairs you like
If you like to engage in romantic relationships
With young bears you like,
If you have a preference for younger, bear-like individuals.
Why nobody will oppose!
No one will object or stand in your way.
And though I'm not a great romancer
Even though I'm not a great romantic
And though I'm not a great romancer
Despite my lack of romance
I know that I'm bound to answer
I know I must respond
When you propose,
When you ask me for something or to do something.
Anything goes...
Anything is possible or permissible.
Contributed by Alyssa Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.