Anything Goes
Mitzi Gaynor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And we've ofter rewound the clock
Since the puritans got a shock
When they landed on Plymouth rock
If today any shock they might try to stem
'Stead of landing of Plymouth rock
Plymouth rock would land on them
Was looked on as something shocking
But now God knows
Anything goes
Good authors to
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 every night
The set thats smart
Is intruding on nudist parties
In studios
Anything goes
When Mrs. Ned McClean God bless her
Can get Russian reds to yes her
Than I suppose
Anything goes
When Rockafeller still can hoard
Enough 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 days night today
And that gent today
You gave a cent today
Once owned several chateaux
When folks
Who still can ride in Jitney's
Find out Vanderbilts and Whitney's
Lack baby clo'es
Anything goes
When Sam Goldwyn
Can with great conviction
Instruct Anna Sten in diction
Than 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 those news you've got
And those pains you've got
(if any brains you've got)
From those little radios
So Mrs. R.
With all her trimmin's
Can broadcast a bed from Simmon's
Cause Franklin knows
Anything goes
The song "Anything Goes" by Mitzi Gaynor celebrates and comments on the ever-changing values and societal norms of the times. The lyrics suggest that society's views are in a state of constant flux and what might have been deemed as scandalous before is now accepted. The song opens by suggesting that times have changed, and society has reshaped its values since the Puritans landed on Plymouth Rock. Anything that shocks us today might not have been an issue in the past, and the tables could be turned in the future. The chorus of the song emphasizes how these changing values and societal norms no longer cause controversy.
The song then goes on to highlight the different aspects of society that have changed over time. The idea of a woman showing her ankles or a hint of her stocking was looked down upon in the past, but now it seems trivial. Even respected writers who once used sophisticated prose have now resorted to using four-letter words in their work. The song mentions cars, bars, hymns, bare limbs, and mentions Mae West, emphasizing that anything goes. Gaynor goes further to mention how the smart set is intruding on nudist parties and how even Mrs. Ned McClean can sway the Russian reds. The lyrics suggest that individuals and organizations that would have been once shamed are now celebrated, and society is much more open-minded.
The song concludes by suggesting that society is in disarray today. Good is deemed less appropriate, black is white, days are nights, and the people we once assisted now own several castles. The song mentions how the roles in society are no longer as static and traditional, and anyone can end up in a position of power. In conclusion, Mitzi Gaynor's song "Anything Goes" is a commentary on society's constantly changing views and norms. The lyrics suggest that anything can now be acceptable and that what may seem scandalous today may be tomorrow's norm.
Line by Line Meaning
Times have changed
The world is different than it used to be
And we've ofter rewound the clock
We've often tried to go back to the past
Since the puritans got a shock
Since the Puritans were surprised
When they landed on Plymouth rock
When they first arrived in America
If today any shock they might try to stem
If something surprises people today
'Stead of landing of Plymouth rock
Instead of being the ones surprised
Plymouth rock would land on them
They would be the ones to cause the shock
In olden days a glimpse of stocking
A peek at a woman's leg was seen as scandalous
Was looked on as something shocking
People were shocked by it
But now God knows
But now things are different
Anything goes
Anything is now accepted
Good authors to
Even respectable writers
Who once knew better words
Who used to have more refined vocabulary
Now only use four letter words
Now only use vulgar language
Writing prose
When they're writing
Anything goes
They can use any kind of language
If driving fast cars you like
If you enjoy driving fast cars
If low bars you like
If you enjoy seedy bars
If old hymns you like
If you enjoy old church songs
If bare limbs you like
If you like seeing skin
If Mae West you like
If you enjoy Mae West
Or me undressed you like
If you like seeing me naked
Why nobody will oppose
No one will object to your likes
When every night
Whenever it's nighttime
The set thats smart
The fashionable people in society
Is intruding on nudist parties
Are even attending parties where people are naked
In studios
In Hollywood studios
Anything goes
Anything is okay
When Mrs. Ned McClean God bless her
When rich and powerful people, like Mrs. Ned McClean
Can get Russian reds to yes her
Can convince communists to agree with her
Than I suppose
Then I guess
Anything goes
Anything is possible
When Rockafeller still can hoard
When the wealthy can still keep all their money
Enough money to let Max Gordon
Enough money to support Max Gordon
Produce his shows
Produce his theatrical productions
Anything goes
You can do anything
The world has gone mad today
The world is crazy today
And good's bad today
Things that were once considered good are now bad
And black's white today
Things that were once considered black are now considered white
And days night today
The world is upside down
And that gent today
That man today
You gave a cent today
That you gave a small amount of money to
Once owned several chateaux
Used to own several large estates
When folks
When people
Who still can ride in Jitney's
Who can still afford to ride in Jitneys (cheap taxis)
Find out Vanderbilts and Whitney's
Discover that even the Vanderbilts and Whitneys (wealthy families)
Lack baby clo'es
Don't have baby clothes
Anything goes
Anything is possible
When Sam Goldwyn
When powerful movie producer Sam Goldwyn
Can with great conviction
Proudly
Instruct Anna Sten in diction
Teach actress Anna Sten how to speak
Than Anna shows
To show that she is learning
Anything goes
Anything is possible
When you hear that
When you find out that
Lady Mendl standing up
Elizabeth Marbury (Lady Mendl), a wealthy socialite and influential theatrical agent
Now turns a handspring landing up
Can perform gymnastics
On her toes
On the tips of her toes
Anything goes
Anything is accepted
Just think of those shocks you've got
Think of how shocked you've been in the past
And those knocks you've got
And how hard life has been
And those blues you've got
And how sad you've felt
From those news you've got
From what you've seen and heard in the news
And those pains you've got
And how much you've suffered
(if any brains you've got)
(if you have any intelligence)
From those little radios
From what you hear on the radio
So Mrs. R.
So wealthy Mrs. R.
With all her trimmin's
With all her wealth and luxuries
Can broadcast a bed from Simmon's
Can advertise a bed from Simmon's (a luxury mattress company)
Cause Franklin knows
Because Franklin D. Roosevelt (the President at the time)
Anything goes
Anything is possible
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cole Porter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FamousBirthdays
Awsome video! Happy Birthday Mitzi Gaynor.
@Prionel
Mitzi Gaynor is simply timeless - with an awesome talent in so many area.
@stogiechomper
Mitzi Gaynor was the most beautiful woman to ever grace the silver screen. And she could dance like crazy, sing and act too.
@jackanthony976
MItzi's singing voice isn't much to write home about.
@dancinggiraffe6058
@@jackanthony976
But at least she did her own singing.
@stmichl9433
Stogie Chomper that really isn't true. Not sure why you would say that. She is just a very good dancer.
@bostonblackie9503
Mitzi is 90 now. Hard to believe! She did fantastic musical numbers.
@SexyHogwarts
Mitzi is sosososososos beautiful! She's a goddess!! She looks amazing, there just aren't performers with class like her nowadays!!
@ivanlussich8146
We in South America spent many an evening at the movies watching these marvelous musicals... I am 78 now and I do remember those American productions....
@johnflynn9619
Mitzi is Magnificent.