Anything Goes
Frank Sinatra & Nelson Riddle Orchestra Lyrics
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Was looked on as something shocking
Now heaven knows, anything goes
Good authors too who once knew better words
Now only use four letter words writing prose
Anything goes
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
So though I'm not a great romancer
I know that you're bound to answer
When I propose, anything goes
In olden days a glimpse of stocking
Was looked on as something shocking
Now heaven knows, anything goes
And good authors too who once knew better words
Now only use four letter words writing prose
'Cause 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
So though I'm not a great romancer
I know that you're bound to answer
When I propose, anything goes
May I say before this record spins to a close
I want you to know anything goes
The song "Anything Goes" by Frank Sinatra & Nelson Riddle Orchestra speaks about the changing social norms and values in society from the olden days to the present. The first verse talks about how in the past, the mere sight of a woman's stocking was considered to be scandalous and frowned upon. However, now in modern times, everything is acceptable and anything goes. The second verse talks about how even acclaimed authors who previously used sophisticated language now resort to using four-letter words in their writing. This is a reference to the changing literary standards.
The chorus highlights on the current state of disorder and chaos in society where morals and norms are constantly under threat. The lyrics imply that people are no longer able to differentiate between good and bad as the line between them has blurred. For instance, black is white and day is night, which were once seen as absolutes of nature. The lyrics also speak about women who initially appreciated men of high social standing as opposed to ‘silly gigolos.'
The final verse talks about how the singer is aware that he's not a great romantic. However, he's confident that anything he says or does will be responded positively by the woman because of the societal breakdown of morals and virtues.
Line by Line Meaning
In olden days a glimpse of stocking
In bygone times, a mere sight of a woman's stocking was considered scandalous
Was looked on as something shocking
It was regarded as inappropriate and taboo
Now heaven knows, anything goes
Nowadays, anything and everything is deemed acceptable
Good authors too who once knew better words
Authors who had great vocabulary and command of language
Now only use four letter words writing prose
But now, they limit their writing to only the simplest and crudest of language
The world has gone mad today
The current society is chaotic, frenzied, and bewildering
And good's bad today
What is considered good today is actually bad in reality
And black's white today
What is commonly understood to be black is now white
And day's night today
The clear distinction between day and night has been blurred
When most guys today that women prize today
Men who are highly sought after by women
Are just silly gigolos
Are nothing but silly male escorts
So though I'm not a great romancer
Although I am not the most charming person
I know that you're bound to answer
I believe with certainty that you will respond positively to me
When I propose, anything goes
When I suggest or propose anything, it will be accepted willingly
May I say before this record spins to a close
Let me express before this song ends
I want you to know anything goes
I desire that you understand that everything is permissible
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
daggerbowls
This is truly amazing
David Overmire
And though I'm not a Great Romancer..........5 - 3 - 20 D.