Anything Goes
Frank Sinatra (with orchestra arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle) 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
Frank Sinatra's "Anything Goes" speaks to the shifting social and cultural norms of the 1930s. The song's opening lines "In olden days a glimpse of stocking / Was looked on as something shocking,” suggest how quickly fashion and cultural practices changed in America. The song then moves to criticize the use of profanity in the works of even "good authors," indicating how language and art were evolving. The chorus "Anything goes," implies a sense of libertine or radical freedom sweeping through America during the roaring 20s and through the depression era.
Sinatra’s lyrics also touch on the changes in gender roles and sexual norms of the 20th century. He presents women as prize commodities for men, calling men who chase them gigolos. The closing lines, “May I say before this record spins to a close / I want you to know anything goes,” suggest a sense of liberation and abandon as well as a rejection of traditional society’s values. Sinatra, with his unrivaled charisma and ability to portray emotion, underscores the sense of freedom underlying the song.
Line by Line Meaning
In olden days a glimpse of stocking
Back in the old days, just seeing some stocking was considered scandalous
Was looked on as something shocking
People were shocked by such a sight
Now heaven knows, anything goes
Nowadays, anything is acceptable
Good authors too who once knew better words
Even respected authors who used to write eloquently
Now only use four letter words writing prose
Now use vulgar language when they write
Anything goes
Anything and everything is acceptable, no matter how crude or inappropriate it may be
The world has gone mad today
Society has become chaotic and irrational
And good's bad today
What is considered 'good' is no longer respected or valued
And black's white today
What used to be considered 'black' is now labeled as 'white' and vice versa
And day's night today
The normal order of things has been disrupted
When most guys today that women prize today
Nowadays, men that women flock to
Are just silly gigolos
Are nothing more than shallow, money-grubbing companions
So though I'm not a great romancer
Although I'm not a smooth-talking charmer
I know that you're bound to answer
I know that you'll say 'yes'
When I propose, anything goes
No matter what I suggest, you'll be willing to go along with it
May I say before this record spins to a close
As this song comes to an end
I want you to know anything goes
I want you to understand that anything and everything is acceptable in our relationship
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind