PUTTING IT TOGETHER
Barbra Streisand
(from The Broadway Album)
Barbra:Look, I`ve spent a lot of time working on this --
Voice 1:Look, no one`s gonna buy it -- no one.
Voice 2:No one in Middle America, anyway. That`s for sure.
Voice 3:He`s right!
Voice 1:Sweetheart, it`s just not commercial!
Barbra:What is commercial?
Voice 2:It`s not what`s selling nowadays.
Voice 1:I mean - personally, I love it, but --
B (sung):Be nice, girl!
Voice 3:Nobody`s into this kind of material.
B (sung):You have to pay a price, girl!
Voice 2:This album needs a hit single we can push.
B (sung):They like to give advice, girl!
Voice 1:The whole idea`s too risky.
B (sung):Don`t think about it twice, girl!
Voice 2:The audience won`t understand this kind of thing!
B (sung):It`s time to get to work!
Barbra:I disagree! Why don`t you wait until you hear it?
Voice 3:This is like your old stuff!
B (sung):Art isn`t easy.
Voice 3:You`ve got to appeal to the kids.
B (sung):Even when you`re hot.
Voice 2:Why would you want to make an album like this anyway?
B (sung):Advancing art is easy.
Voice 1:I think we ought to talk seriously about this.
B (sung):Financing it is not!
Voice 2:Why take chances?
B (sung):A vision`s just a vision if it`s only in your head!
Voice 1:Nobody respects your artistic integrity more than I do, but -
B (sung):If no one gets to hear it, it`s as good as dead!
Voice 2:You have to think about you career!
B (sung):It has to come to life!
B (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 / Having it can 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
Voice 2:Do we really need all these musicians?
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
Have to hold to your vision
Voice 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!
Voice 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
Soon as you remember your objective
Keeps 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
You gotta keep a link with your tradition
Got to learn to trust your intuition
While you reestablish your position
So that you can be on exhibi-
Spoken:So that your work can be on exhibition!!!
B (sung):
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
And a little luck along the way
Putting in a personal appearance
Gathering supporters and adherents
Voice 1:Well, she`s an original!
Voice 3:WAS!
Noting every song 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 by bit by reel by stack by stock by stick by steel
by shpiel and the-e-e-en, It`s the state of the art! Send " Putting It Together" Ringtone to your Cell