Barbra Streisand has recorded more than 60 albums, almost all with Columbia Records. Her early works in the 1960s (her debut The Barbra Streisand Album which won two Grammy Awards in 1963, followed by The Second Barbra Streisand Album, The Third Album, My Name Is Barbra, etc.) are considered classic renditions of theater and nightclub standards, including her version of Happy Days Are Here Again. Beginning with My Name Is Barbra, her albums were often medley-filled keepsakes of her television specials.
Starting in 1969, Streisand tackled contemporary songwriters; like many talented singers of the day, she found herself a fish out of water in attempts to tackle rock, but her vocal talents prevailed and she gained newfound success with the pop and ballad-oriented Richard Perry-produced album Stoney End in 1971. The title track, written by Laura Nyro, was a big hit for Streisand.
Streisand's 1980 album, Guilty featured the songwriting, production and vocal talents of Barry Gibb and was the best-selling album of her recording career. During the 1970s, she was also highly prominent in the pop charts, with number-one records like The Way We Were, Evergreen, No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) (her duet with Donna Summer), and Woman In Love; some of these came from soundtracks of her films. She recently took part in supporting Haiti in singing "We are the World 25th anniversary.
When the 1970s ended, Streisand was named the most successful female singer in the U.S. - only Elvis Presley and The Beatles having sold more albums. [1]
[1] In 1982, New York Times music critic Stephen Holden wrote that Streisand was "the most influential mainstream American pop singer since Frank Sinatra."
Putting It Together
Barbra Streisand Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You have to pay a price, girl!
They like to give advice, girl!
Don't think about it twice, girl!
It's time to get to work!
Art isn't easy
Even when you're hot
Advancing art is easy
A vision's just a vision if it's only in your head
If no one gets to hear it, it's as good as dead
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 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
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
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!
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
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
By by reel
By stack, snit by snit
By meal, shout by shout
By deal, spat by spat
Shpiel by shpiel
And that, is the state of the art!
The song "Putting It Together" by Barbra Streisand is an insightful reflection on the creative process of making art, particularly in the entertainment industry. The lyrics begin by acknowledging the challenges that artists face in their work, such as criticism and financial struggles. However, the focus quickly shifts to the importance of persistence and attention to detail in the art-making process. Streisand emphasizes the need to start with a solid foundation, to take every comment as it comes, and to balance musicianship with presentation and financial concerns. The song is ultimately a celebration of the hard work and dedication required to create a successful work of art, and it encourages artists to stay true to their vision even in the face of external pressures to conform.
Line by Line Meaning
Be nice, girl!
Be polite and pleasant, young woman!
You have to pay a price, girl!
Success requires sacrifice, missy!
They like to give advice, girl!
People enjoy offering suggestions, young lady!
Don't think about it twice, girl!
Don't hesitate, my dear, just do it!
It's time to get to work!
It's time to start working, honey!
Art isn't easy
The creation of art is challenging
Even when you're hot
Even if you're popular and successful
Advancing art is easy
The progression of art is simple
Financing it is not
Raising money to support the arts is difficult
A vision's just a vision if it's only in your head
A dream is meaningless if it is not acted upon
If no one gets to hear it, it's as good as dead
If nobody sees or hears your art, it's pointless
It has to come to life
Art must be made real
Bit by bit, putting it together
Slowly creating, piece by piece
Piece by piece, only way to make a work of art
Art is made by putting each part together
Every moment makes a contribution
Each moment adds to the final product
Every little detail plays a part
Small aspects of art are important
Having just a vision's no solution
Having a plan without execution is useless
Everything depends on execution
The success of art relies on how it is made
Putting it together, that's what counts
What matters most is the process of creating art
Ounce by ounce, putting in together
Slowly building the art, bit by bit
Small amounts, adding up to make a work of art
Small pieces building the whole of the art
First of all you need a good foundation
To make good art, start with a solid base
Otherwise it's risky from the start
Otherwise, the art could fail before it even begins
Takes a little cocktail conversation
Networking and socializing can help fund art
But without the proper preparation
But, without proper planning, it can fail
The art of making art
Creating art is an art in itself
Link by link, making the connections, yes we do!
Creating art requires connecting various pieces
Learning how to play the politician
Learning to navigate social situations like a politician
Like you play piano, bass and drums
Play social situations with as much skill as playing an instrument
Otherwise you'll find your composition
Otherwise, the art could fail
Isn't gonna get much exhibition
Won't get much attention or appreciation
Every minor detail is a major decision
Small decisions have significant impact on art
Have to keep things in scale
Maintain balance and proportion in art
Have to hold to your vision
Don't let others steer the direction of the art
If it gets the funds for your foundation
If socializing leads to funding for the art
Every time I start to feel defensive
Each time I feel challenged or criticized
I remember vinyl is expensive!
Producing art is costly
Maybe one!
Only one, it's pricey
Dot by dot, building up the image
Slowly forming the picture, dot by dot
Shot by shot, keeping at a distance doesn't pay
Creating art requires up-close attention to detail
Still if you remember your objective
However, if you keep your aim in mind
Not give all your privacy away
Don't reveal everything about yourself
A little bit of hype can be effective
Some buzz can help promote the art
As long as you can keep it in perspective
As long as it is kept in context or balanced
Even when you get some recognition
Even if the art gains attention
Everything you do you still audition
You constantly prove yourself in the arts
Overnight you're a trend
Quickly you become popular
You're the right combination
You become the perfect mix for a thriving trend
Then the trend's at an end
Then the popularity fades
You're suddenly last year's sensation
You quickly lose popularity
All they ever want is repetition
The public often wants something familiar
All they really like is what they know
They are drawn to what is comfortable and familiar
Gotta keep a link with your tradition
Must maintain a connection to one's roots or heritage
Gotta learn to trust your intuition
Must learn to trust one's gut feeling or instincts
While you re-establish your position
As you work to regain your status or influence
So that you can be on exhibit
So that you can present your art
So that your work can be on exhibition!
So that your art can be displayed
Be new, girl!
Be original, young woman!
They tell you till they're blue, girl!
They urge you until they're out of breath, young lady!
You're new, or else you're through, girl!
Be unique or else be discarded, missy!
And even if it's true, girl
Even if it is accurate, my dear
You do what you can do!
Do the best you can!
All it takes is time and perseverance
Success comes with persistence and patience
With a little luck along the way
Some good fortune doesn't hurt either
Putting in a personal appearance
Showing up in person
Gathering supporters and adherents
Building a fan base and followers
Mapping out the songs but in addition
Planning the art and also
Harmonizing each negotiation
Agreeing on the terms of each deal
Balancing the part that's all musicians
Weighing the perspectives of the artists involved
With the part that's strictly presentation
With the element that concerns marketing or publicity
Balancing the money with the mission
Balancing financial concerns with artistic aims
Till you have the perfect orchestration
Until you reach the ideal balance of all elements involved
Even if you do have the suspicion
Even if you suspect
That it's taking all your concentration
That it's consuming all your attention
Beat by beat, part by part
Note by note, piece by piece
Sheet by sheet, chart by chart track by track
Writing and arranging, step by step
By by reel
By the take or the version of the recording
By stack, snit by snit
By the number of tapes, snips or cuts made in editing
By meal, shout by shout
By the time taken or the intensity of the recording
By deal, spat by spat
By the agreement or the argument in making the art
Shpiel by shpiel
Piece by piece, layer by layer
And that, is the state of the art!
And that, is the condition of art!
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robo
on Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)
I love Melinda Vesterfelt