Putting It Together

[BARBRA, spoken]

Look, I, I've spent a lot of time working on this, I believe in it

[PRODUCER 1, spoken]

Look, no one's gonna buy it, no one

[BARBRA, spoken]

Well wha— how do— how can you—

[PRODUCER 2, spoken]

No one in middle America, anyway, that's for sure

[PRODUCER 3, spoken]

He's right

[BARBRA, spoken]

Well, wh— why, I mean

[PRODUCER 1, spoken]

Sweetheart, it's just not commercial

[BARBRA, spoken]

What is commercial, really?

[PRODUCER 2, spoken]

It's not what's selling nowadays

[PRODUCER 1, spoken]

I mean, personally, I love it, but—

[BARBRA]

Be nice, girl

[PRODUCER 3, spoken]

Nobody's into this kind of material

[BARBRA]

You have to pay a price, girl

[PRODUCER 2, spoken]

This album needs a hit single we can push

[BARBRA]

They like to give advice, girl

[PRODUCER 1, spoken]

The whole idea's too risky

[BARBRA]

Don't think about it twice, girl

[PRODUCER 2, spoken]

The audience won't understand this kind of thing

[BARBRA]

It's time to get to work

[BARBRA, spoken]

I disagree

Why don't you wait 'til you hear it?

[PRODUCER 3, spoken]

This is like your old stuff!

[BARBRA]

Art isn't easy

[PRODUCER 3, spoken]

We gotta appeal to the kids

[BARBRA]

Even when you're hot

[PRODUCER 2, spoken]

Why would you want to make an album like this anyway?

[BARBRA]

Advancing art is easy

[PRODUCER 1, spoken]

I think we ought to talk seriously about this

[BARBRA]

Financing it is not

[PRODUCER 2, spoken]

Why take chances?

[BARBRA]

A vision's just a vision if it's only in your head

[PRODUCER 1, spoken]

Nobody respects your artistic integrity more than I do, but—

[BARBRA]

If no one gets to hear it, it's as good as dead!

[PRODUCER 2, spoken]

You have to think about your career

[BARBRA]

It has to come to life!

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 part

Having just a vision's no solution

Everything depends on execution

Putting it together, that's what counts!

Ounce by ounce, putting it 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, spoken]

Do we really need all these musicians?

[BARBRA]

Link by link, making the connections

[BARBRA, spoken]

Yes, we do!

[BARBRA]

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

[PRODUCER 1, spoken]

Why don't we talk about this over dinner, darling?

[BARBRA]

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, spoken]

Now would you agree to do an interview?

[BARBRA, spoken]

Maybe one!

[BARBRA]

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 reestablish your position

So that you can be on exhibit—

So that your work can be on exhibition!

Be new, girl

They tell you 'til 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, spoken]

Well, she's an original

[PRODUCER 3, spoken]

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

'Til 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)

Spiel by spiel (Doubt by doubt)

And that is the state of the art!