If you want it, come and get it: The Beatles and fundraising – the outtakes
Ian MacQuillin | 25 April 2014 | Blogs
Like any album, my previous blog about the Beatles and fundraising had too many potential tracks to fit in it. So here are the outtakes.
The Night Before
In The Night Before, from the album Help! and film of the same name, Paul McCartney recounts the story of a major donor who goes back on his word, made at a glitzy and glamorous charity reception the ‘night before’, to make a serious donation to the cause.
We said our goodbyes, sings, Paul, adopting the persona of the major gift fundraiser as s/he (though it’s probably a she) bids goodnight (On the night before, John and George chant behind, reminding us when the conversation took place).
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Love was in your eyes, Paul-as-the-fundraiser continues, referring to the love of mankind, philanthropy (On the night before, John and George chant behind, reminding the recalcitrant donor about precisely when be became so enthused with the cause).
But in the cold light of day, the ‘donor’ is no longer quite so keen to part with his money.
Now today I find, you have changed your mind.
Last night is the night I will remember you by
When I think of things we did, it makes me want to cry
Was I so unwise (On the night before)
Were you telling lies (On the night before)
The song also touches on the subject of the ethics of major gift fundraising – the line When I think of things we did is perhaps referring to a session at the IoF National Convention when a well-known charity fundraiser called on major gift fundraisers to do more flirting with their potential donors, while we best not even consider what the line Treat me like you did the night before might relate to.
Mind you, there’s a good chance this story has a happy ending. The potential major donor probably became a trustee of the charity so there’s no need to make a donation at all as he is now giving freely of his ‘time’ instead.
[The video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPUnyeTzzks is no longer available].
Not Guilty
George suffers another bout of existential angst while getting his knickers in a rather ungrammatical twist (‘like you heard me said’!!) over the guilt people feel when they decide not to give to charity when asked to do so, and the rhetorical contortions they perform to try to alleviate those guilty feelings. It’s almost as if he had an encounter with a ‘chugger’ in mind:
Not guilty
For getting in your way
While you’re trying to steal the day.
Not guilty
And I’m not here for the rest,
I’m not trying to steal your vest.
Vest = tabard? Uncanny.
No use handing me a writ
While I’m trying to do my bit.
I don’t expect to take your heart.
I only want what I can get.
I’m really sorry that you’re underfed.
But like you heard me said:
Not guilty.
Despite going through 102 takes, Not Guilty was left off the final track listing for the White album and although George Harrison recorded it in 1979, the Beatles version didn’t see the light of day (officially) until released on Anthology 3 in 1996.
[The video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0lmqGT5s7Q is no longer available].
Please Mr Postman
The Beatles bemoan declining response rates for direct mail.
There must be some word today
Please Mr Postman
Look and see, is there a letter for me.
[The video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqHp3tOj870 is no longer available].
Incidentally (and totally unrelated to fundraising, so you can skip this bit if you wish) Please Mr Postman was performed by the Beatles on a BBC radio show in March 1962, which was the first time a Motown song was heard on the BBC (Please Mr Postman was recorded by the Marvelettes in 1961). With their taste for American R’n’B (three covers of Motown songs on their second album), French haircuts and Italian-cut suits, there’s an argument to be made that the Beatles were the first Mod band, but one that can only be made with hindsight and would never have held water in 1964.
Anyhow, I present in support of this argument You Can’t Do That, which could also be the theme tune for the FRSB.
Helter Skelter
A dischordant early foray in heavy metal, Helter Skelter paints a sonic soundscape of the disintegrating thought processes of, say, a publicity-seeking backbench MP – people who claim to be supporters of ‘traditional’ charity (Do you don’t you want me to love you) – as they slide down the helter skelter of the same tired and worn out anti-charity arguments:
When I get to the bottom I go back to the top of the slide
Where I stop and I turn and I go for a ride
’Til I get to the bottom, and I see you again.
[Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueBUFUWSXHs is no longer available].
Your mother should know
Paul McCartney gets all sentimental in a peaen to the late, great Dorothy Donor.
[Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08r4huUMPaI is no longer available].
No reply
Face-to-face fundraising gets another kicking from a Cuban-heeled Chelsea boot. This time it’s the story of a two-step door-to-door fundraiser who goes back to his prospect, only for the person, who’s already agreed to the return visit, to pretend she’s not in.
And then, when the contact details are passed to the telephone agency, she’s still pretending she’s not it.
[The video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hSvFKI2VBQ is no longer available].
Come and Get It
At my first fundraising conference in March 2001, even before my first official day as editor of Professional Fundraising, I asked a group of fundraisers what were the kinds of issues I should be aware of. And to my amazement one of them said that major gift fundraisers were often afraid to ask for a donation and would do anything to put off making the ask. Of course, the Beatles already knew all about this in a McCartney song written in 1969.
If you want it, here it is
Come and get it
Make your mind up fast
If you want it anytime I can give it
But you better hurry ’cause it may not last
Did I hear you say that there must be a catch?
Will you walk away from a fool and his money?
If you want it, here it is
Come and get it
But you better hurry ’cause it’s going fast
The Beatles only ever recorded this as demo in the twighlight of their career (with Paul playing all the instruments) but it was a hit for one of the great ‘lost’ British bands, Badfinger.
And finally…
A couple of years ago, there was a bit of a furore that resulted in a conference being cancelled because there were not enough (well, hardly any) female speakers in the line up. The Beatles even had something to say about this.
[youtube height=”450″ width=”800″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN6ZZiKWZYA[/youtube]
- Eleanor Rigby signature auctioned for charity (28 November 2008)
- Donated Beatles album raises over £2,000 for the British Heart Foundation (22 May 2023)
- Just give me money: the Beatles and fundraising (11 December 2013)
About Ian MacQuillin
Ian MacQuillin is the founder and director of Rogare, the fundraising think tank at Plymouth University's Centre for Sustainable Philanthropy. He has worked in fundraising since 2001 as editor of Professional Fundraising (2001-2006), account director at TurnerPR (2006-2009) and head of communications at the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (2009-2013).