Anything Goes
Bruce Hubbard 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.
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 ev'ry night the set that's smart is in-
Truding in nudist parties in
Studios.
Anything goes.
When Missus Ned McLean (God bless her)
Can get Russian reds to "yes" her,
Then I suppose
Anything goes.
When Rockefeller still can hoard en-
Ough 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 clo'es,
Anything goes.
If 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 turns 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 that 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.
Bruce Hubbard's song "Anything Goes" presents a satirical take on the changing social norms of the 1930s, showing that anything can be acceptable or shocking depending on the perspective. The song begins by referencing the arrival of the Puritans in America on Plymouth Rock, suggesting that even their values have become outdated. The line, "Plymouth Rock would land on them" implies that the current times are too chaotic for them, and they would not be able to handle the shock.
The second verse highlights the changing attitudes towards modesty and language, indicating that even once-taboo subjects are now discussed openly. Hubbard points out the hypocrisy of the "good authors" who used to write meaningful prose but now have resorted to "four-letter words." The chorus reiterates the idea that anything goes, whether it is fast cars, low bars, old hymns, or nudity, without any opposition or judgment.
The final verse points out how even the upper classes and elite are susceptible to shock and change. Hubbard notes how the world has gone mad, and the lines "Good's bad today, And black's white today" suggests a lack of moral clarity. The final lines speak of Missus R. broadcasting from her bed from Simmons, referencing the shock and scandal that were then-newsworthy topics. By ridiculing the hypocrisies, inconsistencies, and paradoxes in society, "Anything Goes" celebrates the spirit of freedom and individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
Times have changed
The world has changed since long ago.
And we've often rewound the clock
We have gone through many cycles in history.
Since the Puritans got a shock
Since the Puritans arrived and faced challenges.
When they landed on Plymouth Rock.
When they first stepped onto the shores of America.
If today
If in the present time.
Any shock they should try to stem
Any situation that they try to control.
'Stead of landing on Plymouth Rock,
Instead of facing the same challenges as the Puritans.
Plymouth Rock would land on them.
They would be faced with the harsh realities of modern times.
In olden days, a glimpse of stocking
In the past, a woman's leg was considered scandalous.
Was looked on as something shocking.
It was frowned upon by the conservative society.
But now, God knows,
But now, society has changed.
Anything goes.
Anything is acceptable.
Good authors too who once knew better words
Even learned people are now abandoning proper language.
Now only use four-letter words
And instead resort to using curse words.
Writing prose.
In their writing.
If driving fast cars you like,
If you enjoy fast cars.
If low bars you like,
If you like going to less reputable bars.
If old hymns you like,
If you prefer old religious songs.
If bare limbs you like,
If you enjoy seeing unclothed body parts.
If Mae West you like,
If you like actress Mae West's seductive persona.
Or me undressed you like,
Or if you prefer to see the singer undressed.
Why, nobody will oppose.
There is no one to stop you.
When ev'ry night the set that's smart is in-
When the fashionable crowd is attending.
Truding in nudist parties in
Showing up even at nudist events.
Studios.
Movie studios.
When Missus Ned McLean (God bless her)
When a wealthy woman like Ned McLean can get away with anything.
Can get Russian reds to "yes" her,
She can get what she wants from the Soviet Union.
Then I suppose
In that case.
Anything goes.
Anything is possible.
When Rockefeller still can hoard en-
When even the wealthy can still become richer.
Ough money to let Max Gordon
Enough money to finance a Broadway show.
Produce his shows,
Capable of producing shows for others.
Anything goes.
Anything could happen.
The world has gone mad today
The world seems to have lost its sense of order.
And good's bad today,
What is considered good is now bad.
And black's white today,
What is considered black is now white.
And day's night today,
What is considered day is now night.
And that gent today
The man that was recently seen.
You gave a cent today
You recently gave him a penny.
Once had several chateaux.
But despite his wealth, no longer seems to have anything concrete to show for it.
When folks who still can ride in jitneys
When people who can still afford to ride in cheap taxis.
Find out Vanderbilts and Whitneys
Learn that even the super wealthy are struggling at times.
Lack baby clo'es,
Do not have enough money to buy proper attire for their children.
Anything goes.
Anything is possible.
If Sam Goldwyn can with great conviction
If film producer Sam Goldwyn can convincingly instruct someone.
Instruct Anna Sten in diction,
Instruct actress Anna Sten on how to speak.
Then Anna shows
Then Anna surprisingly exhibits a new talent.
Anything goes.
Anything could happen.
When you hear that Lady Mendl standing up
When you hear that Lady Mendl standing up straight.
Now turns a handspring landing up-
Now employs gymnastic moves in her everyday life.
On her toes,
Balance on the tips of her toes.
Anything goes.
Anything is possible.
Just think of those shocks you've got
Think of the surprises you have faced.
And those knocks you've got
And the challenges that you have overcome.
And those blues you've got
And the sadness that you have experienced.
From that news you've got
From the information that you have received.
And those pains you've got
And the emotional pain that you have suffered.
(If any brains you've got)
(If you are intelligent at all)
From those little radios.
From listening to the radio.
So Missus R., with all her trimmin's,
A reference to the high society woman Alice Roosevelt.
Can broadcast a bed from Simmons
Can advertise her bed using the Simmons brand.
'Cause Franklin knows
Because the American President Franklin Roosevelt approves.
Anything goes.
Anything is acceptable.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind