They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa! - A Novelty Song with a Dark Twist
If you are looking for a song that will make you laugh and shiver at the same time, you might want to check out They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa! by Napoleon XIV. This song is a classic example of a novelty song, a type of music that is designed to be humorous, catchy, and sometimes bizarre. But behind the funny facade, there is also a dark story of mental illness and social stigma.
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In this article, we will explore the history and the meaning of this song, as well as how you can download it for free if you want to add it to your music collection. Let's dive in!
What is a novelty song?
A novelty song is a type of song that is built upon some form of novel concept, such as a gimmick, a piece of humor, or a sample of popular culture. Novelty songs partially overlap with comedy songs, which are more explicitly based on humor, and with musical parody, especially when the novel gimmick is another popular song.
Definition and examples of novelty songs
According to Wikipedia, novelty songs were a major staple of Tin Pan Alley from its start in the late 19th century. They continued to proliferate in the early years of the 20th century, some rising to be among the biggest hits of the era. Varieties included songs with an unusual gimmick, such as the stuttering in K-K-K-Katy or the playful boop-boop-a-doops of I Wanna Be Loved By You, which made a star out of Helen Kane and inspired the creation of Betty Boop; silly lyrics like Yes! We Have No Bananas; playful songs with a bit of double entendre, such as Don't Put a Tax on All the Beautiful Girls; and invocations of foreign lands with emphasis on general feel of exoticism rather than geographic or anthropological accuracy, such as Oh By Jingo!, The Sheik of Araby, and The Yodeling Chinaman.
In more recent times, novelty songs have been influenced by genres such as rock, pop, rap, and electronic music. Some examples are The Monster Mash by Bobby Pickett, Eat It by Weird Al Yankovic, Gangnam Style by Psy, What Does The Fox Say? by Ylvis, and Baby Shark by Pinkfong.
Napoleon XIV They're Coming To Take Me Away Ha-Haaa! song
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They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa! Jerry Samuels
They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa! 1966 novelty record
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Why do people enjoy novelty songs?
Novelty songs are often enjoyed for their entertainment value, as they can make people laugh, dance, or sing along. They can also provide a sense of nostalgia, as they remind people of their childhood or past experiences. Some novelty songs may also have a social or political message, such as satire or criticism, that resonates with listeners.
However, not everyone likes novelty songs. Some may find them annoying, offensive, or low-quality. Some may also prefer more serious or artistic forms of music. Novelty songs may also lose their appeal over time, as they become outdated or overplayed.
Who is Napoleon XIV?
N Napoleon XIV was the pseudonym of Jerry Samuels, an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and talent agent. He was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx, and he began his recording career in 1956 with the single "Puppy Love"/"The Chosen Few". He also wrote some successful songs for other artists, such as "As If I Didn't Know" for Adam Wade and "The Shelter of Your Arms" for Sammy Davis Jr.
The inspiration and creation of his hit song
In 1966, Samuels came up with the idea for a song that would be based on the rhythm of the old Scottish tune "The Campbells Are Coming". He wrote some lyrics about a man who goes insane after his girlfriend leaves him, and he recorded them in a spoken style over a simple percussion track. He used a variable-frequency oscillator to alter the speed of his vocal track, creating a pitch shift effect that made his voice sound higher and crazier as the song progressed.
He decided to use a stage name for the record, and he chose Napoleon XIV because he liked how it looked next to Napoleon. He also added a subtitle to the song: "The Flip Side of 'They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!'". The flip side was actually the same song played backward, with reversed lyrics and music.
He released the record on Warner Bros. Records in July 1966, but no radio station would play it until WABC in New York aired an excerpt as a joke. The listeners loved it and demanded to hear the whole song, and soon it became a nationwide hit. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, No. 1 on the Cash Box Top 100 chart, No. 2 in Canada, and No. 4 in the UK. It sold over one million copies and earned a gold disc.
What is the song about?
The lyrics and the music of the song
The song is composed of three verses and three choruses, each one ending with the phrase "They're coming to take me away, ha-haaa!". The verses describe how the narrator's life has become miserable since his girlfriend left him, and how he begs her not to leave because he would go berserk. The choruses reveal that he has gone completely out of his mind, and that he is being taken away to a "funny farm" where life is beautiful all the time. He also mentions that he will be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats, implying that he is being taken by an ambulance or a psychiatric ward staff.
The lyrics are humorous and absurd, but they also have a dark undertone of mental illness and social isolation. The narrator is clearly suffering from a breakdown, but he is also ridiculed and rejected by society. He has no one to talk to except his ex-girlfriend, who is not even there. He is delusional and paranoid, believing that someone is coming to take him away against his will.
The music of the song is simple and catchy, but also unsettling and disturbing. The only instruments are a snare drum, a bass drum, a tambourine, and some hand claps. The rhythm is steady and repetitive, creating a hypnotic effect. The vocal pitch shifts from low to high at key points, making the voice sound more manic and desperate. The sirens in the background add to the atmosphere of chaos and danger.
The reception and the controversy of the song
The song was an instant success among listeners who found it funny and catchy, but it also sparked some controversy among critics who found it offensive and insensitive. Some radio stations banned it for making fun of mental illness or for being too disturbing for children. Some mental health organizations protested against it for promoting negative stereotypes and stigma about people with mental disorders. Some listeners also complained that the flip side of the record was annoying or scary.
Samuels defended his song by saying that he did not intend to mock or hurt anyone with mental problems, but rather to express his own feelings of frustration and loneliness. He also said that he added a twist at the end of the song to reveal that the narrator was not talking about a human being leaving him, but rather a dog. He hoped that this would make people realize that the song was not meant to be taken seriously.
Despite the controversy, the song remained popular among fans who enjoyed its novelty and humor. It became a cult classic among music lovers who appreciated its originality and creativity. It also inspired many covers, parodies , and remixes by other artists, such as The Damned, Neuroticfish, The Residents, and Butthole Surfers.
How to download the song for free?
If you want to listen to this song anytime and anywhere, you might be wondering how you can download it for free. However, before you do that, you should be aware of the legal and ethical issues of downloading music for free.
The legal and ethical issues of downloading music for free
Downloading music for free without the permission of the artist or the record label is considered illegal in most countries. It is a form of piracy that violates the intellectual property rights of the creators and distributors of music. It can also harm the music industry by reducing the revenue and incentives for producing new music.
Downloading music for free without paying for it is also considered unethical by many people. It is a form of stealing that deprives the artist and the record label of their fair compensation for their work and investment. It can also show a lack of respect and appreciation for the artistic value and effort of making music.
Therefore, if you want to download music for free, you should do it only from legal and ethical sources that have the consent of the artist or the record label. You should also support the artist and the record label by buying their music, attending their concerts, or sharing their music with others.
The best free music download sites to get the song
Fortunately, there are some free music download sites that offer legal and ethical ways to get the song. These sites either have a license or an agreement with the artist or the record label to distribute their music for free, or they offer music that is in the public domain or under a creative commons license. Here are some of the best free music download sites to get They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!:
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Conclusion
In conclusion, They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa! is a novelty song that has a dark twist. It was created by Jerry Samuels under the pseudonym Napoleon XIV in 1966, and it tells the story of a man who goes insane after his girlfriend leaves him. The song was a huge hit among listeners who found it funny and catchy, but it also faced some controversy among critics who found it offensive and insensitive. If you want to download this song for free, you should do it only from legal and ethical sources that have the permission of the artist or the record label.
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about this song. If you did, please share it with your friends and family who might also be interested in this topic. And if you have any questions or comments about this article, please leave them below. We would love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who sang They're Coming to Take Me Away?
A: The original version of They're Coming to Take Me Away was sung by Jerry Samuels under the pseudonym Napoleon XIV in 1966. He was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and talent agent. He used a variable-frequency oscillator to alter the speed of his vocal track, creating a pitch shift effect that made his voice sound higher and crazier as the song progressed.
Q: What genre is They're Coming to Take Me Away?
A: They're Coming to Take Me Away is a novelty song, a type of song that is built upon some form of novel concept, such as a gimmick, a piece of humor, or a sample of popular culture. Novelty songs are often humorous, catchy, and sometimes bizarre. They partially overlap with comedy songs and musical parody.
Q: What is the meaning of They're Coming to Take Me Away?
A: They're Coming to Take Me Away is a song that tells the story of a man who goes insane after his girlfriend leaves him. He begs her not to leave because he would go berserk, but she does anyway. He then reveals that he has gone completely out of his mind, and that he is being taken away to a "funny farm" where life is beautiful all the time. He also mentions that he will be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats, implying that he is being taken by an ambulance or a psychiatric ward staff. The song is humorous and absurd, but it also has a dark undertone of mental illness and social isolation.
Q: Is They're Coming to Take Me Away offensive?
A: They're Coming to Take Me Away was controversial when it was released in 1966, as some people found it offensive and insensitive for making fun of mental illness or for being too disturbing for children. Some radio stations banned it, some mental health organizations protested against it, and some listeners complained about it. However, the creator of the song, Jerry Samuels, defended his song by saying that he did not intend to mock or hurt anyone with mental problems, but rather to express his own feelings of frustration and loneliness. He also said that he added a twist at the end of the song to reveal that the narrator was not talking about a human being leaving him, but rather a dog. He hoped that this would make people realize that the song was not meant to be taken seriously.
Q: Where can I download They're Coming to Take Me Away for free?
A: If you want to download They're Coming to Take Me Away for free, you should do it only from legal and ethical sources that have the consent of the artist or the record label. You should also support the artist and the record label by buying their music, attending their concerts, or sharing their music with others. Some of the best free music download sites to get They're Coming to Take Me Away are Jamendo Music, Free Music Archive, and Internet Archive. You can find links to these sites in the article above. 44f88ac181
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