Anything Goes
Helen Merrill with Richard Hayman and His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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.
The lyrics of "Anything Goes" by Helen Merrill with Richard Hayman and His Orchestra describes how times have changed and how society has become more liberal. The song emphasizes how the Puritans who once landed on Plymouth Rock would be shocked at the current day's state of affairs. The song suggests that society has become more accepting of taboo topics, and those things that were once censored are now commonplace. The lyrics present a general understanding that anything is accepted and nothing is off-limits anymore.
The song also talks about how the world has gone crazy, and things that were considered good are now bad, and things that were considered black are now considered white. The lyrics suggest that society has become more accepting of people's behaviors and makes an emphasis that nobody will oppose it, no matter how weird or unconventional it may seem. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase, "Anything goes," emphasizing the message of the song that anything is accepted nowadays.
Overall, the song portrays a sense of liberation and freedom. It suggests that people can be whoever they want to be and do whatever they want to do without judgment or shame. The lyrics suggest that society has come a long way from the days of Puritans and societal norms, and people can now express themselves without fear of censorship.
Line by Line Meaning
Times have changed
The way things are now is different from the past.
And we've often rewound the clock
We've looked back and reflected on how things used to be.
Since the Puritans got a shock
Back when the Puritans were surprised and upset.
When they landed on Plymouth Rock.
When they first arrived in America.
If today
If similar things happened now.
Any shock they should try to stem
If they were to try to prevent something shocking from occurring.
'Stead of landing on Plymouth Rock,
Instead of the people who were originally shocked dealing with it.
Plymouth Rock would land on them.
They would be the ones who are hurt by the shock.
In olden days, a glimpse of stocking
In the past, even a small bit of leg showing was considered scandalous.
Was looked on as something shocking.
People were very bothered by it.
But now, God knows,
But now we've changed a lot.
Anything goes.
Anything is acceptable or allowed.
Good authors too who once knew better words
Even intelligent, well-spoken writers have started using simpler language.
Now only use four-letter words
They now use much more basic, inappropriate language.
Writing prose.
When they write their stories or essays.
Anything goes.
Anything is acceptable or allowed.
If driving fast cars you like,
If you enjoy speeding in cars,
If low bars you like,
If you prefer cheap, low-quality drinking establishments
If old hymns you like,
If you enjoy listening to old religious songs
If bare limbs you like,
If you like seeing people's exposed arms and legs
If Mae West you like,
If you're into actresses like Mae West
Or me undressed you like,
If you're attracted to me without clothes on
Why, nobody will oppose.
No one will stop you or speak out against it.
When ev'ry night the set that's smart is in-
When the rich and fashionable people attend
Truding in nudist parties in
And they're going to nudist parties.
Studios.
Even in places where respectable people once went.
Anything goes.
Anything is acceptable or allowed.
When Missus Ned McLean (God bless her)
When Mrs. Ned McLean (God bless her)
Can get Russian reds to "yes" her,
Is able to persuade individuals from communist Russia to agree with her.
Then I suppose
I guess it stands to reason.
Anything goes.
Anything is acceptable or allowed.
When Rockefeller still can hoard en-
Even though the Rockefeller family still has an unfair amount of wealth,
Ough money to let Max Gordon
Enough money to allow Max Gordon to put on his shows.
Produce his shows,
To provide funding for his productions.
Anything goes.
Anything is acceptable or allowed.
The world has gone mad today
The state of the world is crazy now.
And good's bad today,
What used to be considered good is now considered bad.
And black's white today,
What used to be considered black is now considered white.
And day's night today,
What used to be considered daytime is now considered nighttime.
And that gent today
The men today.
You gave a cent today
Even the man you gave one penny to today
Once had several chateaux.
Once owned multiple large castles.
When folks who still can ride in jitneys
When people who are still able to ride in shared taxis
Find out Vanderbilts and Whitneys
Discover that even the wealthy Vanderbilt and Whitney families
Lack baby clo'es,
Are unable to afford clothing for their infants,
Anything goes.
Anything is acceptable or allowed.
If Sam Goldwyn can with great conviction
If Sam Goldwyn can confidently
Instruct Anna Sten in diction,
Teach Anna Sten how to pronounce words correctly,
Then Anna shows
Then Anna demonstrates her new ability,
Anything goes.
Anything is acceptable or allowed.
When you hear that Lady Mendl standing up
When you hear that Lady Mendl stood up and
Now turns a handspring landing up-
Did a gymnastics move landing perfectly on her toes
On her toes,
Balancing on her toes.
Anything goes.
Anything is acceptable or allowed.
Just think of those shocks you've got
Think about all those things that surprised or upset you.
And those knocks you've got
All those sudden blows and impacts you've experienced.
And those blues you've got
All the sadness and depression you've felt.
From that news you've got
From the stories you've heard.
And those pains you've got
All the physical pain you've been in.
(If any brains you've got)
(If you have any intelligence at all),
From those little radios.
From listening to the radio.
So Missus R., with all her trimmin's,
So Mrs. R, with all her privileges and adornments,
Can broadcast a bed from Simmons
Can advertise a bed from Simmons furniture.
'Cause Franklin knows
Because Franklin D. Roosevelt, the President, knows
Anything goes.
Anything is acceptable or allowed.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind