Putting It Together

Look, I've spent a lot of time working on this
 Look, no one's gonna buy it -- no one.
 Nobody in middle america, anyway. That's for sure.
 Producer 3: he's right!
 Sweetheart, it's just not commercial!
 What is commercial?
 It's not what's selling nowadays
 I mean - personally, I love it, but
 Be nice, girl!
 Nobody's into this kind of material
 You have to pay a price, girl!
 This album needs a hit single we can push
 They like to give advice, girl!
 The whole idea's too risky
 Don't think about it twice, girl!
 The audience won't understand this kind of thing!
 It's time to get to work!
 I disagree! why don't you wait until you hear it?
 This is like your old stuff!
 Art isn't easy
 You've got to appeal to the kids
 Even when you're hot
 Why would you want to make an album like this anyway?
 Advancing art is easy
 I think we ought to talk seriously about this
 Financing it is not!
 Why take chances?
 A vision's just a vision if it's only in your head!
 Nobody respects your artistic integrity more than I do, but
 If no one gets to hear it, it's as good as dead!
 You have to think about you career!
 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
 Do we really need all these musicians?
 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
 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!
 Would you agree to do an interview?
 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...
 Well, she's an original!
 Was!
 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!