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 a career!
B(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 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, 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 coctail conversation,
But without the proper conversation,
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 moment as it comes.
Learning how to play the politician
Like you play the 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 payStill 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 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 exhibit...
Spoken: So that your word can be on exhibition!!!
Barbra (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 out 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!
Nothing every song buy 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 conversation.
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,
Shpici by shpici, doubt by doubt
And that...
Is the state of the art!