They’re coming to take me away (ha ha)

There was a one hit wonder recording in i1966 that made it to number 3 on Billboards top 100 chart that in today’s cancel culture might be considered inappropriate. The song was by Jerrold "Jerry" Samuels who was born on May 3 1938. The singer, songwriter and producer.used the pseudonym Napoleon XIV, for his novelty song "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" There is no singing only spoken rhyme and the musical number nstruments consist of a snare drum, tambourine , and hand claps.The B side of the record is simply the A side played in reverse.

Today any sound can be made on a recording by simply touching a button. In the 1960s things were different and Samuels went to a lot of trouble to create his signature sound. He said the vocal glissando was achieved by manipulating the speed of his vocal track,using a multitrack variation on the technique that Ross Bagdasarian iutilized in creating the novelty songs by original Chipmunks.Samuels was working as a recording engineer at the time for Associated Recording Studios in New York. He discovered he could use a Variable Frequency Oscillator to alter the frequency of the hysteresis motor of a multitrack tape recorder and raise or lower the pitch of a voice without every changing the tempo.

This gave him the idea for his hit song based on the rhythm of the old Scottish tune "The Campbells Are Coming". Samuels recorded a percussion track at the standard speed, then played it back through headphones while recording the vocals on a different track. He gradually adjusted the VFO and the pace of his vocals to produce his desired effect. Some tracks were Samuels also layered in siren effects that gradually rose and fell with the pitch of his vocals, which added to the intensity of the song.

They’re Coming to Take Me Away went to No. 1 on the Cash Box Top 100 charts, No. 2 in Canada, and No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart. July of this year will March 55 years since the release date. The lyrics at first glance appear to be in regard a man's mental anguish after a woman breaks up with him. It describes his descent into madness which leads to his being committed to a "funny farm" which is slang for a mental facility.In the last line of the third verse it’s revealed that he is being driven insane by the loss of a dog who has run away and not a female.

"They'll find you yet and when they do, they'll put you in the ASPCA, you mangy mutt". Samuels, admitted he was concerned the recording could be considered as making fun of those who struggle with mental illness and this is why he added that line. The adjustment made by Samuels worked and the song became a hit. Today, with more sensitivity to mental illness such a song probably would not be recorded but in 1966 things were different. Those who grew up listening to this record may have enjoyed it and not understand what all the fuss is about.

Even cartoons in days gone by had scenes with the men in white coats and butterfly nets in their hands and children laughs because they were not taught any better. Jerry Samuels has occasionally revisited his Napoleon XIV character in order to record other songs, which usually have bern comedy recordings with an insanity theme.Those who struggle with mental illness and or their loved ones might be offended by the songs that Samuels has recorded but long time fans may have a fond memory attached to it. I recall my youngest brother speaking the lyrics as he walked through the house and he was so cute. As a child I could not comprehend the seriousness of mental illness.

I think of those who say they wore blackface in good natured humor and didn’t not understand how offensive it is to others. Napoleon XIV simply wanted to entertain with his spoken word music and never desired to offend. The fact that They’re coming to take me away was such a hit and there were no protests indicates that it was indeed accepted by h masses for what it was intended to be, a novelty.