From songs like One Mint Julep and Proper Cup of Coffee to a surprisingly smooth rendition of Carrie Underwood’s Before He Cheats, Gasteyer’s saucy selections tell stories with humor, heartbreak…and just a little splash of soda. Her vibe recalls that of a time when entertainers truly entertained, an era when a broad could bring home the bacon, swing a set of sultry standards and still be a gracious hostess. Ana’s heroes are those fun-loving dames who downed a cocktail, donned a dress and fronted a band of dapper gents in sharp suits wielding shiny horns—think Barbara Stanwyck in Ball of Fire as she captures Gary Cooper’s heart. And then breaks it.
A violin player from the tender age of five, Gasteyer always had an ear for music and a knack for timing. Years later, after a formal education as a classically trained singer, she made the fateful discovery that she could get people laughing—and laugh they did every Saturday night at NBC’s Studio 8H. Audiences fell in love with Gasteyer’s flair for irony and character driven comedy on six seasons of SNL, where she unabashedly played, and often sang, at full-tilt.
Eventually, Broadway came calling and Gasteyer spent several years belting out superstar vocals in shows like Wicked and Rocky Horror. But she felt most at home crooning and chirping with a big band in a nightclub, amidst laughter and the inviting clink of ice in a glass. Her acclaimed shows, Let it Rip and Elegant Songs from a Handsome Woman, earned praise from audiences and critics alike who hailed the acts as “exuberant and rollicking entertainment” with “high-octane vocals” and “a topnotch swingin’ ensemble.”
Dead END
Ana Gasteyer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't walk
Keep out
Red light
Steep cliff
Beware
Mad dog
Warning land mine
High voltage line
Don't make a pass
Keep of the grass
Detour
Wet paint
Hands off
Dead end
Sharp curve
Steep hill
Danger
One-way
Emergency
Exit
Only
Only
Warning markers hidden
Loitering forbitten
All trespassers will be shot
Claude loves Sheila-- he better love her not
Wet paint
Hands off
Keep out
Dead end
Men working
Dead end
No standing
Dead end
No parking
Dead end
No smoking
Dead end
No joking
Dead end
My friend
Ana Gasteyer's song "Dead End" is an interesting piece that focuses on the concept of warning and restriction. The lyrics use a number of phrases and terms that are often found on warning signs and signals on the road. The song lists various "dead end" situations and warnings, such as "Don't walk," "Keep out," and "Red light." The verses continue with other warnings such as "Mad dog," "Blind man," "Steep cliff," and "Beware."
As the song progresses, it mentions restricted access with phrases like "Detour", "Hands off," and "Loitering forbitten." The theme of warning takes on a darker tone when the song lists out "All trespassers will be shot" and "Claude loves Sheila-- he better love her not." Gasteyer's lyrics use a simple repetition in the chorus which features "Dead end" repeatedly as if to drive home the point that the warning is final and absolute.
Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the various warnings and restrictions that humans face in their everyday lives. These warnings and restrictions can take many forms and are often for the safety of individuals, as is the case with many road signs. However, when taken to an extreme, they can turn into oppressive measures that restrict freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Dead end
There is no way forward, stop here
Don't walk
Do not proceed on foot
Keep out
Stay away, do not enter
Red light
Stop here, do not proceed
Steep cliff
A sharp drop-off in the terrain
Beware
Be cautious and alert
Mad dog
An aggressive, potentially dangerous animal
Blind man
Someone who cannot see and may need assistance crossing the road
Warning land mine
An explosive device buried in the ground that could cause harm or death if triggered
High voltage line
An electrical line that can cause harm or even death if touched
Don't make a pass
Do not attempt to pass or cross this area
Keep off the grass
Do not walk or stand on the grass
Detour
Follow a different path or route than originally intended
Wet paint
Fresh paint that is still wet and should not be touched
Hands off
Do not touch or handle this item
Dead end
There is no way forward, stop here
Sharp curve
A steep or sudden change in direction of the road ahead
Steep hill
An incline that is difficult to climb or descend
Danger
Hazardous conditions or potential harm is present
One-way
Traffic can only move in one direction
Emergency
Indicating an exit or path to be used in the event of an emergency
Exit
A means of leaving or exiting the area or building
Only
Restricted use, only authorized personnel allowed
Only
Restricted use, only go in this direction
Warning markers hidden
Markers indicating hazardous conditions are not visible or easily identifiable
Loitering forbidden
Loitering or hanging around this area is not allowed
All trespassers will be shot
Trespassing in this area is extremely dangerous and may result in injury or death
Claude loves Sheila-- he better love her not
This message is unrelated to any warnings or signs and appears as a non-sequitur statement
Wet paint
Fresh paint that is still wet and should not be touched
Hands off
Do not touch or handle this item
Keep out
Stay away, do not enter
Dead end
There is no way forward, stop here
Men working
There are workers present and caution should be exercised
Dead end
There is no way forward, stop here
No standing
Stopping and standing in this area is not permitted
Dead end
There is no way forward, stop here
No parking
Parking is not permitted in this area
Dead end
There is no way forward, stop here
No smoking
Smoking is not permitted in this area
Dead end
There is no way forward, stop here
No joking
This is a serious matter, do not joke or make light of the situation
Dead end
There is no way forward, stop here
My friend
This message is unrelated to any warnings or signs and is a friendly remark
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Galt Mac Dermot, James Rado, Gerome Ragni
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind