Anything Goes
Hollywood Roses Lyrics

Times have changed
The modern world is vastly different from the past.

And we've ofter rewound the clock
Despite the changing times, we often try to go back to old ways.

Since the puritans got a shock
Even the puritans were shocked by new ideas and trends when they first arrived in America.

When they landed on Plymouth rock
The shock occurred when the puritans first landed on Plymouth rock.

If today any shock they might try to stem
If anyone tries to stop the current trends and ideas, they will fail.

'Stead of landing of Plymouth rock
Instead of the people being shocked, the people are the ones causing the shock.

Plymouth rock would land on them
The people who are trying to stop the trends will ultimately be affected by them.

In olden days a glimpse of stocking
Exposing any amount of skin was once considered scandalous.

Was looked on as something shocking
This kind of exposure was once seen as unacceptable.

But now God knows
Today, it seems anything is acceptable.

Anything goes
Anything is now allowed and accepted.

Good authors to
Previously well-respected writers.

Who once knew better words
Who once used more sophisticated language.

Now only use four letter words
Now only use profanity.

Writing prose
In their writing.

Anything goes
Anything is now acceptable in writing.

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

If low bars you like
If you like visiting dive bars.

If old hymns you like
If you enjoy traditional church music.

If bare limbs you like
If you enjoy seeing scantily clad individuals.

If Mae West you like
If you enjoy the risque films of Mae West.

Or me undressed you like
If you enjoy seeing me in various stages of undress.

Why nobody will oppose
No one will object to your interests or behaviors.

When every night
Every night.

The set that's smart
The fashionable elite.

Is intruding on nudist parties
Are attending nudist events.

In studios
Which are taking place in film studios.

Anything goes
Anything is now acceptable, even nudist parties.

When Mrs. Ned McClean God bless her
Referring to a wealthy socialite of the time.

Can get Russian reds to yes her
Even wealthy socialites can now connect with communists or other controversial groups.

Than I suppose
I suppose.

Anything goes
Anything is now acceptable, even connections with communists.

When Rockafeller still can hoard
Even the wealthiest individuals can still hold onto large amounts of money.

Enough money to let Max Gordon
Enough money to fund theatrical productions by Max Gordon.

Produce his shows
Support the production of theatrical shows.

Anything goes
Anything is now acceptable, even funding theatrical shows.

The world has gone mad today
The current culture and society is insane.

And good's bad today
Even things that were once considered good are now bad.

And black's white today
Even things that were once considered black or negative are now white or positive.

And days night today
Even day seems like night today.

And that gent today
That gentleman today.

You gave a cent today
You gave money to beggars today.

Once owned several chateaux
Was once very wealthy and owned multiple mansions.

When folks
When people.

Who still can ride in Jitney's
Who still ride Jitneys (a type of public transportation).

Find out Vanderbilts and Whitney's
Discover that even the Vanderbilt and Whitney families can't afford certain luxuries.

Lack baby clo'es
Don't even have enough money for baby clothes.

Anything goes
Anything is now acceptable, even poverty.

When Sam Goldwyn
Referring to a famous film producer.

Can with great conviction
Can assert with confidence.

Instruct Anna Sten in diction
Give advice to actress Anna Sten on her speaking voice.

Than Anna shows
Anna shows.

Anything goes
Anything is now acceptable, even giving acting advice.

When you hear that
When you hear about.

Lady Mendl standing up
Referring to the socialite Elsie de Wolfe.

Now turns a handspring landing up
Now performs gymnastics and lands on her toes.

On her toes
Balancing on her toes.

Anything goes
Anything is now acceptable, including unusual behavior by socialites.

Just think of those shocks you've got
Think about all the shocking things you've seen or heard.

And those knocks you've got
And all the setbacks you've experienced.

And those blues you've got
And all the sadness or depression you've felt.

From those news you've got
From all the news you've received.

And those pains you've got
And all the physical or emotional pain you've experienced.

(if any brains you've got)
(if you have any intelligence at all)

From those little radios
From listening to the radio, which is always broadcasting something new and possibly shocking.

So Mrs. R.
Referring to another wealthy socialite.

With all her trimmin's
In all her luxury and extravagance.

Can broadcast a bed from Simmon's
Can advertise and promote a bed made by Simmon's, a famous mattress manufacturer.

Cause Franklin knows
Because Franklin, possibly referring to Benjamin Franklin, is aware of the latest trends and what sells.

Anything goes
Anything is now acceptable, even promoting mattresses in advertisements.