Anything Goes
Cole Porter Lyrics

Times have changed
As time progresses, many things have changed.

And we've often rewound the clock
Although we cannot change the past, we often reminisce over it.

Since the Puritans got the shock
Since the time the Puritans immigrated to America.

When they landed on Plymouth Rock
When they arrived at their destination.

If today
If in today's society...

Any shock they should try to stem
They were to oppose something shocking.

'Stead of landing on Plymouth Rock
Instead of being shocked by something else.

Plymouth Rock would land on them
They would become the ones causing the shock, rather than being victims of it.

In olden days, a glimpse of stocking
In ancient times, catching even a glimpse of someone's legs was considered shameful.

Was looked on as something shocking
It was considered an outrage to do that.

But now, God knows
But now, who knows?

Anything goes
Anything is permitted.

Good authors, too, who once knew better words
Even respectable authors who used to use proper language.

Now only use four-letter words
Now resort to using crude language.

Writing prose
When writing professionally.

Anything goes
Anything is permitted.

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

If low bars you like
If you enjoy sleazy bars

If old hymns you like
If you enjoy singing old-fashioned hymns

If bare limbs you like
If you like exposed flesh

If Mae West you like
If you fancy Mae West

Or me undressed you like
Or if you like me without clothes on

Why, nobody will oppose
Nobody will contest.

When every night the set that's smart is
When the fashion influencers of society

Intruding at nudist parties in studios
Attending parties where immodesty is encouraged

Anything goes
Anything is permitted.

When the Missus Ned McLean (God bless her)
When dear Mrs. Ned McLean

Can get Russian reds to "yes" her
Can coerce Russian aristocrats into approval.

Then I suppose
Then I believe.

Anything goes
Everything is permitted in that era.

When Rockefeller still can hoard enough money to let Max Gordon
When Rockefeller is wealthy enough to fund Max Gordon's shows

Produce his shows
To finance his theatrical works.

Anything goes
Anything is permitted.

The world has gone mad today
The society has gone mad lately.

And good's bad today
Good conduct has become corrupt.

And black's white today
Opposites seem to have switched roles.

And day's night today
Even time is not what it used to be.

And that gent today
And even that bright fellow

You gave a cent today
You generously gave him a penny.

Once had several chateaux
Once belonged to wealthy and significant individuals

When folks who still can ride in jitneys
When people still travel by jitney/cheap transport

Find out Vanderbilts and Whitneys
Find out that even the well-known and respected Vanderbilt and Whitney families

Lack baby clothes
Can't afford to buy infant clothes.

Anything goes
Anything is permitted.

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

Instruct Anna Sten in diction
Teaches Anna Sten how to enunciate her words

Then Anna shows
Then Anna demonstrates

Anything goes
Anything is permitted.

When you hear that Lady Mendl standing up
When somebody informs you that Lady Mendl

Now does a handspring landing up on her toes
Is now doing a cartwheel and landing upright on her toes

Anything goes
Anything is permitted.

Just think of those shocks you've got
Just imagine the things that have surprised you or come as a shock to you so far.

And those knocks you've got
And any hardships that you've had to go through.

And those blues you've got
And any sadness you may be experiencing

From those news you've got
Due to the news you've heard recently.

And those pains you've got
And any physical pain you've been suffering

If any brains you've got
If you have any sense at all

From those little radios
From small radios that you may listen to the news on.

So Missus R., With all her trimmin's
So Mrs. R., with all her fancy clothes and accessories

Can broadcast a bed from Simmons
Can advertise a high-quality bed produced by Simmons.

'Cause Franklin knows
Because Franklin is knowledgeable and in the know.

Anything goes
Anything is permitted.