Anything Goes

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a world that's shed its old inhibitions, where societal norms have dramatically loosened. What was once considered scandalous, like a 'glimpse of stocking,' is now commonplace, setting the stage for the repeated refrain that 'anything goes.' This isn't just about fashion or social mores; the narrator observes a broader cultural shift where even language has become coarser, with 'good authors' now resorting to 'four-letter words.' The central tension arises from this perceived societal decay, framed as a kind of madness. The lyrics present a series of stark reversals: 'good's bad,' 'black's white,' and 'day's night.' This topsy-turvy world is further characterized by a cynical view of relationships, where 'silly gigolos' are what women now 'prize.' It suggests a disillusionment with traditional values and perhaps a sense of moral ambiguity. The most striking craft element is the relentless repetition of 'Anything goes,' which acts as both a statement of fact and a kind of resigned shrug. This phrase, coupled with the rapid-fire, almost chaotic enumeration of societal ills in the second bridge ('shocks you've got,' 'knocks you've got,' 'blues you've got'), creates a feeling of overwhelming change. The contrast between the narrator's self-deprecation as 'not a great romancer' and his confident 'I know that you're bound to answer' when he proposes adds a layer of wry humor to this chaotic backdrop. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their ability to capture a feeling of widespread social upheaval and a loss of clear moral direction. The simple, declarative statements about the world gone mad, combined with the catchy, almost nonchalant repetition of 'anything goes,' create a potent, if slightly unsettling, portrait of a society in flux. The final, questioning 'When?' at the very end leaves the listener pondering the implications of this boundless freedom.