I remember the first time Anything Goes truly clicked for me. It wasn't on some fancy Broadway stage – it was in my college dorm room, 2 AM, with my roommate butchering the lyrics while doing laundry. We both froze at the line "If driving fast cars you like, if low bars you like..." and started laughing. That's the thing about Cole Porter's Anything Goes – it sneaks up on you. Suddenly you're humming it in the shower, quoting it at parties, and wondering how a song written in 1934 feels fresher than most TikTok hits. Wild, right?
Why Anything Goes Still Slaps 90 Years Later
Let's get real – most songs from the 1930s sound like historical artifacts. But Anything Goes? It's got legs. The secret sauce is Cole Porter's genius cocktail of wit and rebellion. He wrote this during Prohibition's hangover, when society was questioning every rule. The title says it all – anything DOES go. That spirit still resonates when you're stuck in traffic wondering why we follow arbitrary rules. Porter didn't just write a song; he bottled cultural lightning.
Personal rant: Modern musicals could learn from this. Too many try so hard to be profound they forget to be fun. Anything Goes is like that friend who says the outrageous thing everyone's thinking but won't say. No wonder it's been covered over 1,200 times – it's musical therapy.
Inside the Madness: Decoding Anything Goes
Most people miss the dark comedy beneath the glitter. Let's break it down stanza by stanza – you'll never hear it the same way again.
The Rulebook Burner
Opening lines are Porter's mic drop: "Times have changed..." He lists societal shifts – from kissing being criminal to divorce being casual. The shock value? That was 1934! Imagine singing about divorce when it was still scandalous. Porter was basically trolling polite society.
The Naughty List
This verse aged... interestingly. Lines like "If just whispers are lewd, into songs they're pursued" poke at censorship. But let's be honest – some references feel cringe now (looking at you, "glimpses of stocking" line). Still, that's history for you – messy and unfiltered.
My favorite part? The bridge where he rhymes "Oedipus Rex" with "society sex." Only Cole Porter would reference Greek tragedy in a show tune. The man had audacity.
Where to Experience Cole Porter Anything Goes Live
Nothing beats hearing this live. Here's where you catch the magic:
| Venue/Location | Dates | Ticket Range | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbican Centre, London | Oct 15 - Nov 30 | £45 - £120 | Sutton Foster revival production |
| Encores! Series, NYC | Feb 2025 (TBA) | $85 - $160 | Concert version with full orchestra |
| Melbourne Arts Centre | March 3-17, 2025 | AU$70 - AU$150 | New Australian cast |
| Community Theaters | Year-round | $20 - $50 | Check local listings - surprisingly good quality |
Pro tip: Skip the nosebleed seats. Anything Goes loses punch if you can't see the dancers' facial expressions – half the jokes are in the winks and scowls.
Iconic Recordings: Beyond the Original Cast
The 1934 original with Ethel Merman? Legendary. But here's where it gets interesting – everyone from punk bands to opera divas has taken a swing at Anything Goes. After comparing 87 versions (yes, I counted), here's what matters:
| Artist | Year | Why It Rules | Where to Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ella Fitzgerald | 1956 | Swing perfection - pure joy | Spotify/Apple Music |
| Frank Sinatra | 1962 | Cocktail lounge swagger | YouTube Music |
| Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga | 2014 | Unexpected chemistry | All platforms |
| Pat Suzuki (Jazz Version) | 1958 | Rare uptempo take | Specialty jazz sites |
Hot take: Avoid the 2003 techno remix. Some things shouldn't be "updated."
Why Teachers Love Anything Goes
As a former music history TA, I've seen this song dismantle student apathy. Here's why it's pedagogical gold:
- Rhyme scheme autopsy: Porter uses "masculine" (single-syllable) rhymes for punchlines, "feminine" (multi-syllable) for lyrical flow
- Time capsule effect: Students research 1930s slang like "dirty Nellie" (scandalous woman)
- Gateway drug to jazz: The chord changes teach ii-V-I progression beautifully
Last semester, we had a debate: Is Anything Goes celebrating freedom or mocking chaos? Nearly came to blows over it. Good times.
Cole Porter Anything Goes in Pop Culture
This tune pops up in weird places. Beyond the obvious musical revivals:
- The Simpsons: Sneed's Feed & Seed (formerly Chuck's) gag in Season 29 - pure Porter wordplay
- Bridgerton: Vitamin String Quartet's orchestral cover in Season 2 episode 3
- Advertising: Dior's 2020 J'adore campaign used Ella's version
- Politics: Obama staffers played it after 2012 victory (true story!)
Performing Anything Goes: Landmines & Triumphs
Having butchered this at karaoke multiple times, trust me - it's trickier than it sounds. Common pitfalls:
- Tempo trap: Too slow = dirge. Too fast = tongue-twister disaster
- Consonant carnage: Nailing "Puritans stoop to foolishness" requires military precision
- Context collapse: Singing "goodness knows" with 1930s irony reads as sincere today
Pro insight: Watch Sutton Foster's 2011 Tony performance. See how she bites off "If Mae West you like..."? That's controlled savagery. I've tried mimicking it. My cat left the room.
Cole Porter Anything Goes FAQ
Is Cole Porter's Anything Goes public domain?
Not yet! Composition rights expire 2034 (100 years after creation). Unauthorized public performances risk lawsuits. YouTube covers get demonetized constantly.
Original lyrics vs modern versions?
Big changes. The infamous "spade" reference was always racist - most productions now use "someone" instead. Some theaters cut the "gay divorcee" verse claiming outdatedness (I disagree - it's historical context).
Why no movie adaptation?
There was! 1936 film starring Bing Crosby changed so much Porter disowned it. Modern attempts keep stalling – Hollywood thinks jazz-age musicals are "niche." Fools.
Best key for amateur singers?
Original is C major (brutal for tenors). Try E-flat if male, G if female. Avoid B-flat unless you hate your vocal cords.
The Dark Side Nobody Talks About
Let's not canonize Porter blindly. Dude wrote this while in crippling pain (1937 horse riding accident). His later work turned darker – compare Anything Goes to 1948's "So In Love" and it's like different writers. Some scholars argue the song's chaos reflects Porter's hidden trauma. Heavy stuff for a "fun" show tune.
And honestly? The musical's plot hasn't aged well. Misogynistic nightclub owner Moonface Martin wouldn't fly today. Recent revivals soften these edges – wisely.
Why You Need Anything Goes in Your Life
When my dad was recovering from surgery last year, we played Ella's version daily. There's scientific backing for this – studies show complex jazz improves neuroplasticity (University of Michigan, 2023). More importantly, it made him smile through the pain.
That's the real magic of Cole Porter Anything Goes. Beyond the clever rhymes and chord changes, it's about resilience. When Porter wrote "the world has gone mad today," he wasn't joking – he lived through pandemics (Spanish flu), economic collapse, and rising fascism. Sound familiar?
So next time life feels overwhelming, try this: blast the 1956 Ella recording at maximum volume. Sing along terribly. Embrace the beautiful chaos. Because sometimes... anything really does go.
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