Napoleon XIV


Jerry Samuels, known by the stage name Napoleon XIV, is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. He achieved one-hit wonder status with the Top 5 hit novelty song "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" in 1966.
Under the name Scott David, he co-wrote "As If I Didn't Know" with Larry Kusik, a top 10 hit for Adam Wade in 1961. Samuels also wrote "The Shelter of Your Arms", a top 20 hit for Sammy Davis Jr. in 1964.

Biography

Samuels began his recording career in 1956 when he cut the single "Puppy Love"/"The Chosen Few" for the Vik Records subsidiary of RCA Victor Records.
In 1966, Samuels concocted "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" while working at Associated Recording Studios 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 No. 3 and sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. In the Cash Box Top 100 the record even climbed to No. 1 for one week in its second week on the charts.
The success of the single inspired a Warner Bros. album of the same name in 1966, most of which continued with the mental illness theme. A second single of two recordings from that album was relatively unnoticed. His manager was Leonard Stogel.
Currently, Samuels works as a singer and agent who books various performers. He works the Delaware Valley area.

Discography

Singles

1966 ''They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!''

Warner Bros. LP W 1661/WS 1661
Side 1
  1. "I'm in Love with My Little Red Tricycle"
  2. "Photogenic, Schizophrenic You"
  3. "Marching Off To Bedlam"
  4. "Doin' The Napoleon"
  5. "Let's Cuddle Up in My Security Blanket"
  6. "They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!"
    Side 2
  7. "Bats in My Belfry"
  8. "Dr. Psyche, The Cut-Rate Head-Shrinker"
  9. "I Live in a Split Level Head"
  10. "The Nuts on My Family Tree"
  11. "The Place Where The Nuts Hunt The Squirrels"
  12. "I'm Happy They Took You Away, Ha-Haaa!"

    1985 Reissue

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
  1. "Ode To A Farmer Boy"
  2. "The Explorer"
  3. "They're Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!"
  4. "I'm In Love With My Little Red Tricycle"
  5. "Photogenic, Schizophrenic You"
  6. "Marching Off To Bedlam"
  7. "Doin' The Napoleon"
  8. "The Place Where The Nuts Hunt The Squirrels"
  9. "Let's Cuddle Up In My Security Blanket"
  10. "Goofin' On The Job"
  11. "Bats In My Belfry"
  12. "Dr. Psyche, The Cut-Rate Head-Shrinker"
  13. "I Live In A Split Level Head"
  14. "I'm Happy They Took You Away, Ha-Haaa!" – Josephine XV
  15. "The Nuts On My Family Tree"
  16. "I Owe A Lot To Iowa Pot"
  17. "Can You Dig It?"
  18. "The Song I Wrote For Robert Goulet"
  19. "They're Coming To Get Me Again, Ha-Haaa!"
  20. "It May Appear Ridiculous"
  21. "!aaaH-aH,yawA eM ekaT oT gnimoC er'yehT"