Anything Goes Lyrics - Anything Goes

Anything Goes Lyrics

Anything Goes

[RENO]
Times have changed,
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.

The world has gone mad today
And good's bad today,
And black's white today,
And day's night today,
When most guys today
That women prize today
Are just silly gigolos
And though I'm not a great romancer
I know that you're bound to answer
When I propose,
Anything goes

When grandmama whose age is eighty
In night clubs is getting matey with gigolo's,
Anything Goes.

When mothers pack and leave poor father
Because they decide they'd rather be tennis pros,
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 that's smart
Is intruding in nudist parties in studios,
Anything Goes.

[RENO, PASSENGERS & CREW]
The world has gone mad today
And good's bad today,
And black's white today,
And day's night today,
When most guys today
That women prize today
Are just silly gigolos
And though I'm not a great romancer
I know that you're bound to answer
When I propose,
Anything goes

[RENO]
If saying your prayers you like,
If green pears you like
If old chairs you like,
If back stairs you like,
If love affairs you like
With young bears you like,
Why nobody will oppose!

[ALL]
And though I'm not a great romancer
And though I'm not a great romancer
I know that you're bound to answer
When I propose,
Anything goes...
Anything goes!


Lyrics Meaning and impact of "Anything Goes" by Cole Porter.

Anything Goes song video by Cole Porter
Cole Porter performing 'Anything Goes' in the music video.

Song credits:

  • Composer: Cole Porter
  • Writer: Cole Porter
  • Vocals: Cole Porter
  • Piano: Cole Porter
  • Release date: November 21, 1934
  • Label: Not specified
  • Musical Genre: Musical theatre, Jazz
  • Album: Music of Cole Porter
  • Track #: 8
  • Language(s): English
  • Mood: Satirical, Witty

Song meaning.

Cole Porter performing song Anything Goes
Performance of 'Anything Goes' by Cole Porter in the music video.
In "Anything Goes", Cole Porter crafts a brilliantly sarcastic and observant view of 1930s society unraveling its moral corset. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and roaring scandals, the piece was written for the 1934 musical of the same name, a story happening aboard an ocean liner filled with quirky passengers and impromptu romances. Porter's wit and sharp phrasing mirror the unpredictability and recklessness of the era.

In Cole Porter's 1934 song "Anything Goes," the lyrics reflect shifting American values since the Mayflower’s arrival in 1620. The song cheekily suggests that, were the Pilgrims to attempt their voyage in the 1930s, Plymouth Rock itself might crush them. This likely serves as a metaphor for how outdated Puritanical views would be forcefully rejected by modern society in places like Boston and Plymouth.

Victorian sensibilities, particularly their infamous aversion to exposed ankles, also come under fire. In contrast, the flapper girls of the 1920s embraced bold fashion and behavior that shocked older generations. Their defiant spirit echoed the stylistic departures of “Lost Generation” writers like Hemingway and Joyce, whose works favored lean prose and sometimes used profanities—perhaps slyly referenced by Porter’s allusion to “four-letter words.”

The phrase "low bars" here could carry multiple meanings. It might denote loose morals or a carefree lifestyle, but it also possibly refers to Prohibition-era speakeasies. A 1946 *LIFE* magazine article noted that lower bar counters became fashionable in these establishments to accommodate an influx of female patrons.

Reno Sweeney, the character singing the number, flirts with scandal by joking that passengers may want to see her undressed. While sung in character, this line may reflect Cole Porter’s challenge to conservative audiences—perhaps even hinting at his identity as a gay man in a time when such openness was rare.

Rumors of Hollywood decadence abounded in the 1930s, including tales of nude gatherings and wild parties. However, since the musical was intended for Broadway audiences, “studios” might just as well refer to Greenwich Village artist lofts, where nude modeling sessions were common and openly discussed in bohemian circles.

Porter also rewrites the phrase “the smart set” into “the set that’s smart,” a clever inversion that allows for rhythmic flow while still invoking fashionable social elites. The line flows smoothly into a rhyme with “parties,” aligning perfectly with the song’s swinging meter.

Though often associated with Porter, the phrase "Anything Goes" also parallels themes in works by contemporaries like George Gershwin. The 1930s, though steeped in economic hardship, were a time of stringent moral codes, making the satirical nature of the song all the more biting. Terms like “Reds” (communists), “châteaux” (French mansions), and “jitney” (privately run taxis or buses) serve as cultural signposts, grounding the song in its era.

The Great Depression wiped out many once-wealthy families, including dynasties like the Whitneys and Vanderbilts. The song’s reference to Sam Goldwyn and his ill-fated film *Nana*, starring Anna Sten, highlights how even Hollywood could fall prey to public ridicule , particularly when language barriers (like Sten’s thick accent) made productions inaccessible.

Elsie de Wolfe, or Lady Mendl, was another figure Porter may have had in mind. Known for revolutionizing interior design by rejecting Victorian clutter for modern simplicity, she was equally famous for her eccentric public displays—like performing yoga and handstands well into her later years, much to the media’s delight or dismay.

As fascism rose in Europe and the global economy struggled, American social conventions also shifted. Reno’s quick engagement to Oakley parodies evolving attitudes toward courtship and marriage in a society increasingly defined by rapid change and uncertainty.

The song references Eleanor Roosevelt’s popular radio show, sponsored by Simmons mattresses. The line “abed from Simmons” carries a double meaning, cleverly suggesting both product placement and commentary on the First Lady’s growing public presence. Porter insinuates that a modern woman—even one in the White House—might as well profit from her platform.

The mention of “Franklin” clearly nods to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In some versions, the lyric reads “broadcasting a bed from Simmons,” which seems less sharp than the original’s layered entendre. Porter’s version better captures the juxtaposition of propriety and promotion, perfectly in step with the song’s satirical tone.

Verse 1 & Opening:

The introductory lines toy with time travel, wittily noting how society's moral compass has swung wildly since the Pilgrims hit Plymouth Rock. The verses follow by lamenting (or rather celebrating) how decorum has taken a nosedive: "In olden days, a glimpse of stocking / Was looked on as something shocking / But now, God knows / Anything goes."

Social Satire and Cultural Commentary:

Porter pokes at the upper class, celebrities, and shifting public values. Mentioning Mrs. Ned McLean and the Rockefellers, he illustrates the bizarre realities of wealth and fame – satire so sharp it glints. This lyric becomes both a cultural diary and comedy roast.

Bridges and Transitions:

Lines like “If Mae West you like / Or me undressed you like” giggle in the face of propriety. The rhyme schemes are intricate but never forced – Porter's pen is as elegant as it is provocative.

Verse 4 & Finale:

The last lines wrap the theme with radio satire and political nods, “So Missus R., with all her trimmings / Can broadcast a bed from Simmons,” referring to Eleanor Roosevelt's fireside chats, signaling how nothing is off-limits in this brave, chaotic world.

Which songs share same themes?

Thumbnail from Anything Goes lyric video by Cole Porter
A screenshot from the 'Anything Goes' music video, capturing the mood and meaning of the song.
  1. "You're the Top" by Cole Porter: Sharing Porter's signature sparkle, this piece mirrors "Anything Goes" in its sharp cultural name-dropping. Both pieces use clever metaphors and lyrical gymnastics to reflect society's trends. The upbeat jazz tempo and satirical content connect these two as quintessential Porter masterpieces of social observation. "You're the Top" also brims with absurd but complimentary references to icons, brands, and celebrities.
  2. "Modern Major General" by Gilbert and Sullivan: A Victorian predecessor in lyrical cleverness and cultural critique, this song mirrors Porter’s use of rapid-fire phrases and social satire. Both works ridicule societal elites through operatic comedy, highlighting intellectual absurdities and inflated self-importance in both 19th and 20th-century contexts.
  3. "We Didn’t Start the Fire" by Billy Joel: Though decades apart, Joel’s anthem echoes Porter’s rapid cataloging of people and events. Both songs serve as lyrical time capsules. Joel’s piece updates the formula with 20th-century American history, showing the continuity of cultural chaos through rhythm and rhyme.

Questiong and Answers.

Why is "Anything Goes" still relevant today?
Its commentary on shifting social norms and media spectacle resonates deeply with modern-day audiences who also grapple with celebrity culture, fake news, and changing taboos.
What’s the tone of the song?
It dances between cheeky and satirical, giving listeners a sense of playful rebellion wrapped in Broadway pizzazz.
What did Cole Porter mean by "Plymouth Rock would land on them"?
He flips the script on historical values, suggesting that today's society would overwhelm and shock the old-school Puritans, rather than the other way around.
Scene from Anything Goes track by Cole Porter
Visual effects scene from 'Anything Goes' enhancing the experience of the song words and music.

Which awards and chart positions did composition Achieve?

Though not designed for the Billboard Hot 100, as it predated the system, “Anything Goes” cemented its legacy in the Great American Songbook and has been revived across multiple generations—from Ella Fitzgerald to Lady Gaga. It remains a staple of musical theatre and jazz cabarets.

Fan and Media Reactions.

“Timeless, clever, and scandalously fun. Porter was ahead of his time.”
Jazz historian Paul Zollo
“A lyrical masterpiece—every line a zinger, every rhyme a twist.”
Critic David Hajdu
“Even after 90 years, I still find new jokes in it.”
Broadway actor Sutton Foster
“Porter wrote the Twitter of the 1930s—short, sharp, smart.”
Music blogger Marianne Faith
“It’s like listening to a gossip column in C major.”
Pop Culture Review


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