Putting It Together
Barbra Streisand Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Be nice, girl!
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
Financing it is not
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!

Overall Meaning

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
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Robo


on Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)

I love Melinda Vesterfelt

More Versions