In 1966, American songwriter and sound engineer Jerry Samuels, under the pseudonym Napoleon XIV, released one of the strangest and most talked-about singles of the decade. His novelty song, “They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!”, climbed the charts with its dark humor, bizarre production, and controversial theme. Though Samuels had other musical accomplishments, this one oddball hit became his lasting legacy.
| Stage Name | Napoleon XIV |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Jerry (Jerrold) Samuels |
| Born | May 3, 1938 – New York City, New York, USA |
| Died | March 10, 2023 – Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Genres | Novelty, Spoken Word, Pop |
| Main Labels | Warner Bros., Vik Records |
| Most Famous Hit | “They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!” (1966) |
| Peak Chart Positions | #3 US, #4 UK, #1 Canada |
| Other Roles | Studio Engineer, Booking Agent, Songwriter |
| Notable Songs (for others) | “The Shelter of Your Arms” (Sammy Davis Jr.), “As If I Didn’t Know” (Adam Wade) |
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Jerrold “Jerry” Samuels was born on May 3, 1938, in New York City. He showed an early interest in music and audio technology. By the mid-1950s, he was active in the recording industry. In 1956, he released his first single, “Puppy Love”, backed with “The Chosen Few,” under RCA Victor’s Vik Records label. These songs went largely unnoticed, but they marked his formal entry into the business.
During the early 1960s, Samuels worked as a studio engineer at Associated Recording Studios in New York. This behind-the-scenes role gave him access to emerging technology, allowing him to experiment with sound and tape manipulation—skills that would soon define his biggest success.
Creating “They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!”
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In 1966, Samuels wrote a song unlike anything heard before. Titled “They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!”, the track narrated the descent into madness of a man left by his lover. Though it sounded comedic, the lyrics revealed a darker psychological theme.
Instead of singing, Samuels rhythmically spoke the lyrics in a rising and falling pitch. He achieved this effect by using a variable frequency oscillator synced with a looped 10-second percussion track, consisting of just snare drum, tambourine, and thigh-slapping. The result was both hypnotic and unsettling.
To match the song’s eccentric vibe, he released it under the fictional name Napoleon XIV, and credited the songwriting to “N. Bonaparte.”
Release and Chart Success
Warner Bros. Records released “They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!” in 1966. Despite—or perhaps because of—its strangeness, the song became a hit.
It reached:
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#3 on the Billboard Hot 100
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#4 on the UK Singles Chart
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#1 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles
It sold over one million copies and earned RIAA gold certification. Few novelty songs in history ever reached such popularity.
The B-side, titled “!Aaah-Ah, Yawa Em Ekat Ot Gnimoc Er’Yeht”, was the A-side played in reverse. This creative gimmick reinforced the record’s offbeat reputation. Fans and collectors were equally amused and confused.
Backlash and Controversy
Despite its commercial success, the song sparked criticism. Many radio listeners and mental health advocates felt the track made fun of people with mental illnesses. In response, several radio stations—particularly in New York—banned the song from airplay. As the backlash grew, sales slowed, and the single gradually dropped off the charts.
Still, the initial success led Warner Bros. to release a full album, also titled They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa! The LP continued with the psychological themes, featuring similarly strange spoken-word tracks. Though the album drew curiosity, it did not chart and had minimal long-term impact.
Follow-Up Work and Career After the Hit
Samuels attempted to follow up the hit with a few more singles as Napoleon XIV, including:
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“Split Level Head”
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“Photogenic, Schizophrenic You”
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“Marching Off to Bedlam”
None of these singles charted, and by the late 1960s, Napoleon XIV faded from the spotlight.
However, Samuels continued to work in music and remained active as a booking agent and producer. He never distanced himself from the Napoleon XIV persona but instead embraced his role in pop culture history.
Songwriting Successes Beyond Napoleon XIV
While Napoleon XIV was a short-lived novelty act, Jerry Samuels had a more substantial career as a songwriter for other artists. Notably, he co-wrote:
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“As If I Didn’t Know” – a 1961 Top 10 hit for Adam Wade (with lyricist Larry Kusik)
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“The Shelter of Your Arms” – a Top 20 pop and Top 10 R&B hit for Sammy Davis Jr. in 1964
These songs showcased his versatility beyond novelty records, proving that Samuels was more than a one-joke act.
Legacy of “They’re Coming to Take Me Away”
More than half a century later, “They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!” remains one of the most bizarre and memorable novelty singles of all time. It is often featured in collections of oddball hits, and it helped define the genre of novelty and outsider music.
The song continues to get airplay on Halloween-themed shows, retro radio stations, and novelty countdowns. Its influence also extends to parody artists like “Weird Al” Yankovic and others who use sound manipulation in comedic ways.
In 1988, an expanded version of the original album was released on CD, including unreleased tracks and remixes. In 1996, a bootleg compilation titled For God’s Sake, Stop the Feces! surfaced, containing other unreleased Napoleon XIV material. Though not commercially released, it became a collector’s item among fans of novelty and outsider music.
Later Life and Passing
Jerry Samuels largely stepped away from public life in the 2000s but remained active in local music circles in Pennsylvania. In his later years, he gave occasional interviews, expressing pride in his unique contribution to pop music.
Samuels passed away on March 10, 2023, at the age of 84. His death was reported by family and music historians who credited him with creating one of the most distinctive—and divisive—songs in 1960s music history.
Discography (Select)
As Napoleon XIV
Albums:
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They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa! (1966) – Warner Bros.
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Napoleon XIV: The Second Coming (planned but unreleased commercially)
Singles:
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“They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!” (1966) – #3 US, #4 UK
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“Split Level Head” (1966)
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“Photogenic, Schizophrenic You” (1966)
As Songwriter (for Others):
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“As If I Didn’t Know” – Adam Wade (1961) – #10 Billboard Hot 100
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“The Shelter of Your Arms” – Sammy Davis Jr. (1964) – #17 Hot 100, #3 R&B