Putting It Together (Album Version)

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

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