Anything Goes
Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Dance Band Lyrics

Times have changed
The world has changed from the way it was in the past.

And we've ofter rewound the clock
Even though time has moved forward, we often look back to the past and try to bring it back.

Since the puritans got a shock
The Puritans were surprised and shocked when they first landed on Plymouth Rock.

When they landed on Plymouth rock
Referring to the time when the Puritans first arrived in America, which was a major event in the country's history.

If today any shock they might try to stem
If there was something today that people found shocking, they may try to stop it.

'Stead of landing of Plymouth rock
But if they tried to stop it, this situation might be reversed and instead they would be affected negatively.

Plymouth rock would land on them
Their actions would come back to hurt them just as Plymouth Rock harmed the Puritans when they first landed.

In olden days a glimpse of stocking
Back in the past, even seeing a small portion of a woman's leg was considered scandalous.

Was looked on as something shocking
People were very conservative and didn't approve of any types of behaviors that society viewed as immoral.

But now God knows
Today, society is more relaxed and accepting of things that were once considered taboo.

Anything goes
As a result, anything is allowed and nothing is seen as too scandalous.

Good authors to
In the past, even respectable authors wouldn't use inappropriate language or behavior in their writing.

Who once knew better words
These writers knew the right words to use, but have faltered over time.

Now only use four letter words
Now, it seems like the only words these former authors use are the kind that can be abbreviated in bad contexts.

Writing prose
Even in a respectable field, such as literature, social standards have changed to suit modern sensibilities.

Anything goes
Politically incorrect language or themes in books and other forms of art are more acceptable today.

If driving fast cars you like
Whatever people enjoy, be it racing cars, going to questionable bars or even liking outdated music, nobody can stop them.

If low bars you like
It doesn't matter what standards of behavior people hold themselves to.

If old hymns you like
Whether someone prefers hymns or rock music, it doesn't matter in modern context.

If bare limbs you like
Even showing body parts which were previously hidden would not raise an eyebrow today.

If Mae West you like
The sexualized image of Mae West is no longer a controversial topic in today's society.

Or me undressed you like
Even an awkward or controversial statement could be acceptable in the modern days.

Why nobody will oppose
No one would try to stop someone from expressing their interests, as there is greater freedom of expression today.

When every night
In contemporary times,

The set thats smart
The popular class of people

Is intruding on nudist parties
People who were once thought of as upper class are now also visiting nudist parties.

In studios
Nudity in a public fashion, even in pictures or movies, is becoming more commonplace.

Anything goes
There is no longer a strict moral line to follow, and people have greater freedom to express themselves.

When Mrs. Ned McClean God bless her
A wealthy lady named Mrs. Ned McLean is making big changes.

Can get Russian reds to yes her
Even someone like Mrs. Ned McLean, who is known for her wealth and social status, can get something done.

Than I suppose
Then it's safe to assume that we live in a society where anything can happen.

Anything goes
There is no right or wrong anymore, and nothing is out of bounds.

When Rockafeller still can hoard
Even the wealthy have their own quirks or interests that the public might view as odd, and cause them to withdraw.

Enough money to let Max Gordon
Rockefeller has plenty of money, but he still enjoys attending shows.

Produce his shows
Shows are put on with the big money from Rockefeller's wealth, even if what's being shown is considered strange in any way.

Anything goes
Again, society no longer places as much importance on conservative thinking, allowing people to keep some of their weirdest interests and habits.

The world has gone mad today
The world seems crazy, as mores and guidelines become less and less important in the new order.

And good's bad today
People have lost understanding of what's deemed inherently 'good' in society.

And black's white today
Nowadays people see things as 'black' when they are really 'white,' meaning they are seeing everything the wrong way.

And days night today
People have gotten confused and are no longer functioning with a clear sense of day and night, while others are right and wrong.

And that gent today
Many people who are doing well financially today may have been poor at one point.

You gave a cent today
Every little bit counts, so people should be charitable and not pass judgement on others.

Once owned several chateaux
It's possible that success in business or commerce could lead to purchasing several large estates, giving one a higher status and drive to be more outlandish.

When folks
As people go through their daily lives,

Who still can ride in Jitney's
The down-to-earth people who prefer to ride in Jitneys, a kind of cheap car service.

Find out Vanderbilts and Whitney's
See those people who belong to the elite and upper-class families of America.

Lack baby clo'es
Even though they probably have millions of dollars, they may not be in all cases well-dressed or groomed.

Anything goes
Class barriers and social hierarchies no longer matter in the new order, just as social norms don't matter anymore either.

When Sam Goldwyn
Even big time movie execs can get involved in the madness.

Can with great conviction
Although you might not see why, this person can insist on specific matters, with utmost sternness.

Instruct Anna Sten in diction
Even those who are major successful members of the movie industry, such as producers or directors, can still attempt to control the most minute details such as an actress's diction.

Than Anna shows
This is further proof that anything can happen nowadays, and just when you think things couldn't get any weirder, they do.

Anything goes
Anything is possible in contemporary times, with the old mores and restrictions having been discarded.

When you hear that
People today are being bombarded with numerous reports which seem to show that

Lady Mendl standing up
Lady Mendl, a woman who is not afraid to express herself and her opinions, especially in public settings.

Now turns a handspring landing up
That woman is now so free and unencumbered in her daily life that she can do whatever suits her mood or temperament.

On her toes
Moreover, others are convinced that she is more agile and imaginative than ever, and has never been more fierce in what she believes.

Anything goes
Anything is possible in the brave new world of our time, with every rule and restriction from the past having been cast away.

Just think of those shocks you've got
It's true that in the past, we were often surprised or splintered by

And those knocks you've got
Unfortunate events, happenings that we wouldn't have seen coming whatsoever.

And those blues you've got
Or even moments where we just felt low, so low that we didn't know how to get ourselves up onto our feet again.

From those news you've got
It could be things that we read about in the news or various incidents that we witnessed or heard about first-hand.

And those pains you've got
The general pains that we experience in our personal journey, whether they might be physical or emotional, can really test us at times.

(if any brains you've got)
If you're smart and think about all of these events and try to learn from the past and the present.

From those little radios
Even from something as simple and as common as listening to the radio, shocking news could come on and completely change your perspective entirely.

So Mrs. R.
This line could be referring to a specific real-life person, or it could just be a way of characterizing someone in general.

With all her trimmin's
A wealthy and egotistical person who takes great pride in decorating, dressing or acting a certain way, so that they project themselves to society in the best possible manner that they can.

Can broadcast a bed from Simmon's
This suggests that through advanced technology, even something totally embarrassing and private, like an intimate moment in bed, could be broadcast publicly without any shame.

Cause Franklin knows
No one ever completely understands what goes on in the minds of others, but Frankilin knows...something.

Anything goes
People are free to do just about anything they want in the current times.