Etcetera: Introduction

“Etcetera” is a Beatles’ song but an unreleased track. Although this song doesn’t sit in the vaults at EMI, we understand that there is an acetate copy somewhere out there, possibly with Paul McCartney. So, we await that disc to surface, if it ever does.

Performer and Instrument

• Paul McCartney: vocals, acoustic guitar

Etcetera: Background

The rarest Beatles’ record is possibly “In Spite Of All The Danger.” That’s because it’s the Beatles’ first record. Of course, that recording is from July 1958, so the band’s name was The Quarrymen. However, Etcetera has got to be among the most obscure and something we all want to hear.

If “Etcetera” surfaces, it will possibly be part of a compilation album of outtakes and not be a valuable record like “In Spite Of All The Danger.” Still, Beatlemaniacs would love to hear it.

Originally, the song was for a relative newcomer on the music scene, Marianne Faithfull.

“I knew Marianne, so it was natural that I would be asked to write a song at some point. I did write a song, but it was not a very good one. It was called Etcetera, and it’s a bad song. I think it’s a good job that it’s died a death in some tape bin.

Even then, I seem to remember thinking it wasn’t very good. There was always the temptation to keep your better songs for yourself and then give your next-best songs to other established people, so when it was someone like Marianne, who at the time was a newcomer, those people would tend to end up with fairly dreadful offerings of mine.

I suppose, thinking back on it, after As Tears Go By, maybe they were looking for more sort of a Yesterday, something more poignant, more baroque. I probably thought, well, this is really all I’ve got at the moment. I’ll send it round and hope it’s all OK, and maybe they’ll put a baroque thing on it and that’ll make it OK. She probably did Yesterday because they figured, Well, at least it’s better than Etcetera.”

Paul McCartney
Many Years From Now, Barry Miles

Recording Studio: Etcetera

On August 20, 1968, while recording for the “White Album,” The Beatles had to concentrate on two songs, “Mother Nature’s Son,” and “Wild Honey Pie.” In between those songs, Paul McCartney recorded a version of “Etcetera” in a single take. At the time, he was waiting for some session musicians to come into the studio.

That tape recording was taken away and never seen again. Apparently, the song has lyrics and a bridge. Furthermore, the start of the song is said to be in a similar style to that of “Here, There and Everywhere.”

The recording is said to be notable for its informal, laid-back atmosphere. McCartney, known for his boundless creativity, experimented with various instruments, including the piano, guitar, and even a toy xylophone. The end result is a delightful, lilting tune with a rustic, folksy flavour, reminiscent of the Beatles’ more acoustic moments.

Paul McCartney was a perfectionist and, as such, immediately decided to scrap the song. Despite the song allegedly disappearing, there is an acetate copy in Paul’s archives. Apparently, it is similar to a version of his other work, “Thingumybob.” That composition was given to the Black Dyke Mills Band, and there is a recording from them available below.

Regarding the Paul McCartney version, there is no bootleg available, and the song has never been commercially available, so all we can do is sit tight and hope that McCartney will release it. However, don’t hold your breath, because he doesn’t even like the song. But if the song does become available, The Beatles Fan Club will let you know!