"If we didn't get the record, we didn't exist"

Barry Mann's quote, "If we didn't get the record, we didn't exist", records the intense pressure and determination fundamental in the music market throughout the peak of his career as a songwriter. To unload this declaration, it is essential to think about the context of Mann's career in the 1960s, a time when the music industry was increasingly competitive and busy.

First of all, this quote highlights the significance of concrete success in the kind of tape-recording offers and chart-topping hits for artists and songwriters. Throughout Mann's period, getting a record out was associated with creative recognition and business success. Without a recorded song, artists and songwriters ran the risk of fading into obscurity, as records were the main medium through which artists were heard and valued by the public.

Moreover, the expression "we didn't exist" highlights the existential stakes connected to the act of recording. For artists like Mann, whose creativity and livelihood depended upon their music reaching audiences, a record was proof of presence and effect. In an industry that often equates success with visibility and sales, not having a record suggested being invisible and eventually forgotten. This shows a broader human desire for acknowledgment and legacy, magnified in an industry where so much is at stake.

Additionally, Mann's quote speaks to the collective effort required in the music industry. The "we" represents not only the individual artist or songwriter however likewise the groups of people-- producers, musicians, label executives-- who work relentlessly to bring a tune to life and ensure its success. The recording ends up being a culmination of shared efforts and dreams.

Last but not least, this sentiment can be seen as a reflection of the short lived nature of popularity. The music market is constantly trying to find the next big hit, and without something tangible like a tape-recorded song to preserve relevance, artists and their work could rapidly be overshadowed by emerging skills. Thus, Mann's quote encapsulates the seriousness and need of producing records, which act as both a lifeline and tradition in the ever-evolving realm of music.