Putting It Together Lyrics - Barbra Streisand

Barbra: look, I've spent a lot of time working on this 

Producer 1: look, no one's gonna buy it -- no one. 

Producer 2: no one in middle america, anyway. that's for sure. 

Producer 3: he's right! 

Producer 1: sweetheart, it's just not commercial! 

Barbra: what is commercial? 

Producer 2: it's not what's selling nowadays. 

Producer 1: I mean - personally, I love it, but 

Barbra (sung): be nice, girl! 

Producer 3: nobody's into this kind of material. 

Barbra (sung): you have to pay a price, girl! 

Producer 2: this album needs a hit single we can push. 

Barbra (sung): they like to give advice, girl! 

Producer 1: the whole idea's too risky. 

Barbra (sung): don't think about it twice, girl! 

Producer 2: the audience won't understand this kind of thing! 

Barbra (sung): it's time to get to work! 

Barbra(spoken): I disagree! why don't you wait until you hear it? 

Producer 3: this is like your old stuff! 

Barbra (sung): art isn't easy. 

Producer 3: you've got to appeal to the kids. 

Barbra (sung): even when you're hot. 

Producer 2: why would you want to make an album like this anyway? 

Barbra (sung): advancing art is easy. 

Producer 1: I think we ought to talk seriously about this. 

Barbra (sung): financing it is not! 

Producer 2: why take chances? 

Barbra (sung): a vision's just a vision if it's only in your head! 

Producer 1: nobody respects your artistic integrity more than I do, but 

Barbra (sung): if no one gets to hear it, it's as good as dead! 

Producer 2: you have to think about you career! 

Barbra (sung): it has to come to life! 

Barbra (sung): bit by bit, putting it together 

Piece by piece, only way to make a work of art 

Every moment makes a contribution 

Every little detail plays a parts 

Having just a vision's no solution 

Everything depends on execution 

Putting it together, that's what counts! 

Ounce by ounce, putting in together 

Small amounts, adding up to make a work of art 

First of all you need a good foundation 

Otherwise it's risky from the start 

Takes a little cocktail conversation 

But without the proper preparation 

Having just a vision's no solution 

Everything depends on execution 

The art of making art 

Is putting it together, bit by bit 

Producer 2: do we really need all these musicians? 

Barbra: link by link, making the connections, yes we do! 

Drink by drink, taking every comment as it comes 

Learning how to play the politician 

Like you play piano, bass and drums 

Otherwise you'll find your composition 

Isn't gonna get much exhibition 

Art isn't easy 

Every minor detail is a major decision 

Have to keep things in scale 

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Have to hold to your vision 

Producer 1: why don't we talk about this over dinner, darling? 

What's a little cocktail conversation 

If it gets the funds for your foundation 

Every time I start to feel defensive 

I remember vinyl is expensive! 

Producer 3: would you agree to do an interview? 

Barbra: maybe one! 

Dot by dot, building up the image 

Shot by shot, keeping at a distance doesn't pay 

Still if you remember your objective 

Not give all your privacy away 

A little bit of hype can be effective 

As long as you can keep it in perspective 

Even when you get some recognition 

Everything you do you still audition 

Art isn't easy 

Overnight you're a trend 

You're the right combination 

Then the trend's at an end 

You're suddenly last year's sensation! 

All they ever want is repetition 

All they really like is what they know 

Gotta keep a link with your tradition 

Gotta learn to trust your intuition 

While you re-establish your position 

So that you can be on exhibit... 

So that your work can be on exhibition! 

Be new, girl! 

They tell you till they're blue, girl! 

You're new, or else you're through, girl! 

And even if it's true, girl, 

You do what you can do! 

Bit by bit, putting it together 

Piece by piece, working on the vision night and day 

All it takes is time and perseverance 

With a little luck along the way 

Putting in a personal appearance 

Gathering supporters and adherents... 

Producer 1: well, she's an original! 

Producer 3: was! 

Barbra: mapping out the songs but in addition 

Harmonizing each negotiation 

Balancing the part that's all musicians 

With the part that's strictly presentation 

Balancing the money with the mission 

Till you have the perfect orchestration 

Even if you do have the suspicion 

That it's taking all your concentration 

The art of making art 

Is putting it together, bit by bit 

Beat by beat, part by part 

Sheet by sheet, chart by chart track by track, bit by bit, 

Reel by reel, pout by pout 

Stack by stack, snit by snit, 

Meal by meal, shout by shout 

Deal by deal, spat by spat 

Shpiel by shpiel, doubt by doubt 

And that... is the state of the art!