Napoleon XIV
Encyclopedia
Napoleon XIV was the pseudonym
of the American
singer-songwriter
and record producer
Jerry Samuels (born 3 May 1938, New York
), who achieved one-hit wonder
status with the Top 5 hit
novelty song
"They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" in 1966. Samuels also wrote The Shelter of Your Arms
, a top 20 hit for Sammy Davis, Jr.
in 1964.
in New York. The public found out his true identity when Cousin Brucie
of WABC
outed him. The record quickly climbed the charts, reaching the Top Ten nationally in just its third week on the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at #3 and sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc
.
The success of the single inspired a Warner Bros. album
of the same name in 1966 (reissued by Rhino
in 1985), most of which continued with the mental illness theme (for example: "Bats In My Belfry" and "Split Level Head" which features different vocal parts in each stereo speaker). A second single of two recordings from that album was relatively unnoticed.
Currently, Samuels works as a singer and agent who books various performers. He works the Delaware Valley
area.
NOTE: The backwards version of the album title track does not appear on either the original or reissue albums, although the backwards title is listed on the front cover.
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
of the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Jerry Samuels (born 3 May 1938, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
), who achieved one-hit wonder
One-hit wonder
A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success. The term is most often used to describe music performers with only one hit single.-Characteristics:...
status with the Top 5 hit
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
novelty song
Novelty song
A novelty song is a comical or nonsensical song, performed principally for its comical effect. Humorous songs, or those containing humorous elements, are not necessarily novelty songs. The term arose in Tin Pan Alley to describe one of the major divisions of popular music. The other two divisions...
"They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" in 1966. Samuels also wrote The Shelter of Your Arms
The Shelter of Your Arms
The Shelter of Your Arms is a 1964 album by Sammy Davis, Jr..The title cut was a major hit for Davis, reaching #3 R&B, #7 easy listening, and #17 pop.-Track listing:# "Bee-Bom" – 2:22...
, a top 20 hit for Sammy Davis, Jr.
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Samuel George "Sammy" Davis Jr. was an American entertainer and was also known for his impersonations of actors and other celebrities....
in 1964.
Biography
In 1966, Samuels concocted "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" while working at Associated Recording StudiosAssociated Recording Studios
Associated Recording Studios, familiarly known as Associated, was based in the music district of New York City from 1946 to 1985, near the famous Brill Building. As New York’s major independent recording studio for almost 40 years, Associated was used by all types of musicians, singers,...
in New York. The public found out his true identity when Cousin Brucie
Bruce Morrow
Bruce Morrow is an American radio personality known to many listeners as Cousin Brucie.-Radio work:...
of WABC
WABC (AM)
WABC , known as "NewsTalkRadio 77 WABC" is a radio station in New York City. Owned by the broadcasting division of Cumulus Media, the station broadcasts on a clear channel and is the flagship station of Cumulus Media Networks...
outed him. The record quickly climbed the charts, reaching the Top Ten nationally in just its third week on the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at #3 and sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
.
The success of the single inspired a Warner Bros. album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
of the same name in 1966 (reissued by Rhino
Rhino Entertainment
Rhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty record label and production company. It is owned by Warner Music Group.-History:Rhino was originally a novelty song and reissue company during the 1970s and 1980s, releasing compilation albums of pop, rock & roll, and rhythm & blues successes...
in 1985), most of which continued with the mental illness theme (for example: "Bats In My Belfry" and "Split Level Head" which features different vocal parts in each stereo speaker). A second single of two recordings from that album was relatively unnoticed.
Currently, Samuels works as a singer and agent who books various performers. He works the Delaware Valley
Delaware Valley
The Delaware Valley is a term used to refer to the valley where the Delaware River flows, along with the surrounding communities. This includes the metropolitan area centered on the city of Philadelphia. Such educational institutions as Delaware Valley Regional High School in Alexandria Township...
area.
Singles
- 1966 "They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" / "!aaaH-aH ,yawA eM ekaT oT gnimoC er'yehT" Warner Bros. (5831)
- 1966 "I'm In Love With My Little Red Tricycle" / "Doin' The Napoleon" Warner Bros. (5853)
- 1973 "They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haa!" / "!aaH-aH ,yawA eM ekaT oT gnimoC er'yehT" Warner Bros. (WB 7726) (re-issue of WB 5831)
- 1990 "They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haa!" (1966 recording) / "They're Coming To Get Me Again, Ha-Haaa!" Collectables (3859)
Albums
- 1966 They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa! Warner Bros. LP W 1661/WS 1661
Side 1
- "I'm In Love With My Little Red Tricycle"
- "Photogenic, Schizophrenic You"
- "Marching Off To Bedlam"
- "Doin' The Napoleon"
- "Let's Cuddle Up In My Security Blanket"
- "They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!"
Side 2
- "Bats In My Belfry"
- "Dr. Psyche, The Cut-Rate Head-Shrinker"
- "I Live In A Split Level Head"
- "The Nuts On My Family Tree"
- "The Place Where The Nuts Hunt The Squirrels"
- "I'm Happy They Took You Away, Ha-Haaa!" (by Josephine XV)
- 1985 (reissue of above on Rhino LP 816)
NOTE: The backwards version of the album title track does not appear on either the original or reissue albums, although the backwards title is listed on the front cover.
- 1996 The Second Coming Rhino / WEA/Rhino R2 72402
- "Ode To A Farmer Boy" (New Recording 1995)
- "The Explorer" (previously unreleased, recorded in 1968 for second unissued album, For God's Sake, Stop The Feces)
- "They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!"
- "I'm In Love With My Little Red Tricycle"
- "Photogenic, Schizophrenic You"
- "Marching Off To Bedlam"
- "Doin' The Napoleon"
- "The Place Where The Nuts Hunt The Squirrels"
- "Let's Cuddle Up In My Security Blanket"
- "Goofin' On The Job" (Recorded in 1968)
- "Bats In My Belfry"
- "Dr. Psyche, The Cut-Rate Head-Shrinker"
- "I Live In A Split Level Head"
- "I'm Happy They Took You Away, Ha-Haaa!" - Josephine XV
- "The Nuts On My Family Tree"
- "I Owe A Lot To Iowa Pot" (New Recording - 1995)
- "Can You Dig It?" (Recorded in 1968)
- "The Song I Wrote For Robert Goulet" (New recording - 1995)
- "They're Coming To Get Me Again, Ha-Haaa!"
- "It May Appear Ridiculous" (New recording - 1995)
- "!aaaH-aH ,yawA eM ekaT oT gnimoC er'yehT" (unlisted bonus track)