Communications Breakdown

July 24, 2017      Tom Belford

It was a rainy weekend where I live, so I spent an inordinate amount of time browsing through YouTube videos.

I used to read books. Now I watch videos on an iPad (in a room surrounded by bookshelves, for old-time sake).

 

This background proffered to explain why two of my posts this week (at least) will feature videos.

[I rate right up there with Einstein whoever invented those YouTube algorithms that serve up one after another related, but slightly different, and irresistible videos.]

 

Today’s features Roy Orbison, whose name conjures up all-time classics like Oh Pretty Woman, Only the Lonely, Crying, Sweet Dreams Baby, Blue Bayou.

Given those (and other) classics, one wonders how his Communication Breakdown ever got released.

Even for most Orbison fans, that song is best left on the B side.

But that said, maybe it deserves a fresh listen and a celebrated reputation as the anthem of failed donor relationships.

Give the real Orbison version a listen here.

I think you’ll agree, Communication Breakdown should have special standing in the greatest hits of fundraising anthems. Any songs you would add?

Tom

P.S. Can’t get enough? Do yourself a huge favor and listen to this donor’s version of Communication Breakdown … “You don’t need me, and I don’t need you!” Donor relations will never be the same!

3 responses to “Communications Breakdown”

  1. It’s amazing the # of songs that are actually FR songs. Yes. This is a good one, indeed. And Carly Simon’s “You’re so Vain” might be the best. And Ian MacQuillin (Rogare) has done some great stuff with the Beatles and their commitment to fundraising.

    Yes. Anthems to fundraising and for fundraising. Dylan and the times they are a changing. I mean wow.

    Keep it up, Tom.

  2. Thank you Simone. And here are those two Beatles and fundraising blogs, though the copyright fascists/lawyers justifiably protecting their clients’ intellectual property (delete according to ideological preference) have caused the removal of most of the YouTube clips, so you’ll have to hunt down the songs on Spotify.

    https://fundraising.co.uk/2013/12/11/just-give-money-beatles-fundaising/#.WXiyFzOZMvA

    https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/04/25/want-come-get-beatles-fundraising-outtakes/#.WXiyGDOZMvA

  3. Marjorie E Fine says:

    The bast! The guy in the Las Vegas t shirt was too much. Thanks so much for this. I am working on a project on how to fix the discinnect between comunication teams and fundraising teams-can we make this our (anti) anthem?

    I so appreciate your work. Many thanks again for all you do. You make me a better social justice fundraisng consultant.

    Si se puede!

    Margie Fine