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!