# If you want it, come and get it: The Beatles and fundraising – the outtakes - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/04/25/want-come-get-beatles-fundraising-outtakes/ - Published: 2014-04-25T20:24:45+01:00 - Author: Ian MacQuillin **Like any album, my previous [blog about the Beatles and fundraising](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/2013/12/11/just-give-money-beatles-fundaising/) 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). ## Advertisement _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](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=425GpjTSlS4) 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](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8Dpt7TI9q0)_, which could also be the theme tune for the FRSB.   ### **Helter Skelter ** A  dischordant [early foray in heavy metal,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helter_Skelter_%28song%29) _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](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Heaecj6R09g) 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. * **[Eleanor Rigby signature auctioned for charity](https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/11/28/eleanor-rigby-signature-auctioned-charity/)( 28 November 2008)** * **[Donated Beatles album raises over £2,000 for the British Heart Foundation](https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/05/22/donated-beatles-album-raises-over-2000-for-bhf/)( 22 May 2023)** * **[Just give me money: the Beatles and fundraising](https://fundraising.co.uk/2013/12/11/just-give-money-beatles-fundaising/)( 11 December 2013)**