Anything Goes is a popular standard composed by Cole Porter for his 1934 Broadway musical of the same name. The show, set aboard an ocean liner, starred Ethel Merman, who introduced the song and helped make it one of Porter's most recognizable creations. The lyric is a witty social commentary cataloguing the relaxation of moral standards in modern life, delivered with Porter's characteristic sophistication and wordplay. The melody is bright, rhythmically propulsive, and ideally suited to both the theatrical stage and the jazz bandstand. As with many Porter compositions, the song balances harmonic elegance with melodic directness, making it accessible to singers and instrumentalists alike. The tune quickly entered the popular repertoire after its Broadway debut and became a fixture of the Great American Songbook. Jazz musicians adopted it early on, drawn to its strong harmonic foundation and swinging rhythmic profile. Notable recordings span the history of jazz, from big band treatments to small group interpretations. The song has appeared in multiple film adaptations of the musical, including versions released in 1936 and 1956, further cementing its place in American popular culture. It remains one of the most frequently performed standards in both vocal and instrumental jazz settings.
