Napoleon XIV is the pseudonym for the American singer and songwriter Jerry Samuels, who achieved one-hit-wonder status with his bizarre and darkly comedic song "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" in 1966. Born on May 3, 1938, in New York City, Samuels worked as a recording engineer and songwriter before recording the tune that would define his career. The song, delivered with manic energy over a persistent drumbeat, tells the tale of a man driven to insanity by the departure of his beloved and became a controversial novelty hit due to its depiction of mental illness.

Despite its contentious reception, "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" shot up to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart before radio stations began pulling it due to complaints. The backlash did not deter Samuels from releasing subsequent records under the Napoleon XIV moniker, though none reached the commercial zenith of his signature track. Over the years, the song has resurfaced in various forms, including re-releases and cover versions by other artists, cementing its status as a cult classic in novelty music history. Napoleon XIV's creative output features comically provocative titles and themes, with works like "For God's Sake, Stop the Feces!" underscoring his fondness for blending humor with the macabre.

Genres

Novelty

Latest Release

For God's Sake, Stop the Feces!

Napoleon XIV

Album - 29 Tracks - Released April 20, 2023