Anything Goes
Vince Giordano Lyrics

Times have changed
The world is constantly evolving

And we've often rewound the clock
But sometimes we look back at history

Since the Puritans got a shock
And we're surprised by how far society has come

When they landed on Plymouth Rock.
Compared to the time and place the Puritans came from, America was different

If today
If we were to go back to that time

Any shock they should try to stem
If the Puritans faced something surprising or scandalous

'Stead of landing on Plymouth Rock,
It would be more shocking to them than their arrival in America

Plymouth Rock would land on them.
They would be unable to cope with the changes that have taken place

In olden days, a glimpse of stocking
In the past, seeing a woman's leg was considered scandalous

Was looked on as something shocking.
It was considered indecent behavior

But now, God knows,
Nowadays we've become more liberal

Anything goes.
Anything is considered acceptable

Good authors too who once knew better words
Even authors who once had to abide by censorship laws

Now only use four-letter words
Nowadays, use less formal language

Writing prose.
Even in literature

Anything goes.
It's more relaxed; it's up to the individual

If driving fast cars you like,
If you're fond of driving fast cars

If low bars you like,
If you prefer seedy bars

If old hymns you like,
If you prefer to listen to old religious music

If bare limbs you like,
If you like to show off your body

If Mae West you like,
If you like to dress like the actress Mae West

Or me undressed you like,
If you like to see me in a more relaxed state

Why, nobody will oppose.
Nobody will judge you for it

When ev'ry night the set that's smart is in-
When the smartest, most fashionable people are attending

Truding in nudist parties in
Going to nudist parties without any fuss

Studios.
Even in professional settings

Anything goes.
It's a carefree time

When Missus Ned McLean (God bless her)
When people who are wealthy, such as Missus Ned McLean

Can get Russian reds to "yes" her,
Can influence a Russian organization to collaborate with her

Then I suppose
It's possible

Anything goes.
Anything can happen

When Rockefeller still can hoard en-
When even the richest men in the world, like Rockefeller

Ough money to let Max Gordon
Have enough to finance a theater production

Produce his shows,
Entertainment is in demand

Anything goes.
It's a prosperous time

The world has gone mad today
The world is very different from the past

And good's bad today,
Goodness is no longer valued like it once was

And black's white today,
Even black and white, once regarded as opposites, are interchangeable

And day's night today,
Even day and night, once regarded as opposites, are interchangeable

And that gent today
Even the upper classes

You gave a cent today
The person who you give money to

Once had several chateaux.
Own several houses

When folks who still can ride in jitneys
When people who still travel by jitney (cheap transport)

Find out Vanderbilts and Whitneys
Discover the richest families in America

Lack baby clo'es,
They don't have everything

Anything goes.
These times are so different from before

If Sam Goldwyn can with great conviction
If people like Sam Goldwyn

Instruct Anna Sten in diction,
Educate Anna Sten in proper pronunciation

Then Anna shows
Anna can put on a show

Anything goes.
Anyone can be educated

When you hear that Lady Mendl standing up
When you hear about Lady Mendl standing up

Now turns a handspring landing up-
Now does acrobatic stunts

On her toes,
On the tips of her toes

Anything goes.
People are unrestricted

Just think of those shocks you've got
Just consider all the things that have surprised you

And those knocks you've got
And all the times you've been knocked down

And those blues you've got
And all the times you've been depressed

From that news you've got
From the news you've received

And those pains you've got
And all the physical pain you've endured

(If any brains you've got)
(If you consider yourself smart)

From those little radios.
From listening to the radio for news, even though it can be difficult

So Missus R., with all her trimmin's,
So a woman known as Missus R. who has accessories

Can broadcast a bed from Simmons
Can publicly advertise a bed from Simmons (a mattress company)

'Cause Franklin knows
Because it's common knowledge that

Anything goes.
Anything is possible