Format Digital download Length 3:04 | Genre Country Label Universal South | |
Released June 2, 2008 (2008-06-02) Writer(s) Brice Long
John Wiggins | ||
"Anything Goes" is the title of a debut song written by Brice Long and John Wiggins, and recorded by American country music artist Randy Houser. It was released in May 2008 as the lead-off single and title track from his debut album Anything Goes.
Contents
Content
"Anything Goes" is a mid-tempo ballad, mostly accompanied by piano and Hammond B-3 organ, with pedal steel guitar flourishes. In it, the narrator recalls a one-night stand with a woman whom he has met a bar. He states that he does not feel guilty about the encounter, because his lover has left him.
Music video
A music video was made for the song in October 2008. Directed by Vincenzo Giammanco, the video starts with Houser walking into a bar to drink a beer. Scenes also show him playing guitar in the bar. In the second verse of the song, Houser is seen sitting on a bed, with his one-night stand still asleep. At the end of the video, Houser places his guitar into a fire.
Reception
The song has received mixed reception from music reviewers. Brady Vercher of Engine 145, stated in his review of the album that Houser "showed a lot of promise" in this song. He also described it as "similar in theme to Jamey Johnson's 'Mary Go Round', only from a slightly different perspective." Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic described "Anything Goes" as "melodic and tightly constructed, but not quite memorable." Allen Jacobs of Roughstock gave the song a mixed review, thinking that the verses "stumbled", but described Houser's vocal performance favorably.
Chart performance
"Anything Goes" was released in May 2008. It debuted at #56 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated June 21, 2008. It reached its peak of #16 on the country chart dated December 6, 2008.