Origin of "They're Coming to Take me Away, Ha Haa!"
James Curran
coming to take me Away Ha Haa". My source say it was first recorded by
Jerry Samuels in 1966. However, someone else reports that in the 50's, he
heard a 78 of the song, sung by a woman, and his mother claims to have
lip-synched to that record in high school in the early '40's.
Can anyone clear up this matter?
David Marston
James Curran <Ja...@NovelTheory.com> wrote:
>Does anyone know definitely the origin of Napoleon XIV's song "They're
>coming to take me Away Ha Haa". My source say it was first recorded by
Samuels came on the Demento show for an interview years ago. He said that
he was inspired (in 1966) by a then-new technology that allowed altering
the pitch of a recorded track without also speeding up the tempo. Compare
that to Chipmunk records, which Ross Bagdasarian made by singing in his
normal voice at half tempo, and playing back the tape at double speed
doubled both pitch and tempo in the way we all know. The other tracks on
the Napoleon XIV album attest to Samuels' love of electronic processing.
--
................David Marston mar...@mv.mv.com
Al Kossow
Marston) wrote:
> In article <BRIZ5.36617$w35.6...@news1.rdc1.nj.home.com>,
> James Curran <Ja...@NovelTheory.com> wrote:
> >Does anyone know definitely the origin of Napoleon XIV's song "They're
> >coming to take me Away Ha Haa". My source say it was first recorded by
> >Jerry Samuels in 1966. However, someone else reports that in the 50's,...
>
> Samuels came on the Demento show for an interview years ago. He said that
> he was inspired (in 1966) by a then-new technology that allowed altering
> the pitch of a recorded track without also speeding up the tempo.
Thats nice...
What does this have to do with answering James' question if there was
an earlier version of the song?
--
The eBay Curse:
"May you find everything you're looking for.."
Brian
Hooray, Hooray by Beatrice Kay. She sings about going away
with the men in their little white coats. I'd have to play the record
again to remember the exact lyrics, but this is a start. Its on the
Columbia label and I would guess its from the late 40' to early 50's.
Its not a frantic version like Napolean's. It rather slow but a good
song.
Brian
Please remove the "X" in my email prefix only,when replying
Check out my website for novelty record listings,
Al Kossow
> On Wed, 13 Dec 2000 11:13:37 GMT, "James Curran"
> <Ja...@NovelTheory.com> wrote:
>
>>Does anyone know definitely the origin of Napoleon XIV's song "They're
>>coming to take me Away Ha Haa". My source say it was first recorded by
>>Jerry Samuels in 1966. However, someone else reports that in the 50's, he
>>heard a 78 of the song, sung by a woman, and his mother claims to have
>>lip-synched to that record in high school in the early '40's.
>>
>> Can anyone clear up this matter?
>>
>>
> Hooray, Hooray by Beatrice Kay. She sings about going away
> with the men in their little white coats. I'd have to play the record
> again to remember the exact lyrics, but this is a start. Its on the
> Columbia label and I would guess its from the late 40' to early 50's.
> Its not a frantic version like Napolean's. It rather slow but a good
> song.
And can be heard on these DrD shows in the 90's
910714
921018
940605
Barrett Hansen
NNTP-Posting-Host: haxrus.apple.com
X-Trace: news.apple.com 976837320 3759 17.205.21.66 (14 Dec 2000 23:42:00
GMT) wrote:
&What does this have to do with answering James' question if there was
&an earlier version of the song?
U Are An A SS H O L E!
And a big one at that!!!!!
Al Kossow
>
> &What does this have to do with answering James' question if there was
> &an earlier version of the song?
>
> U Are An A SS H O L E!
> And a big one at that!!!!!
>
At least I can spell, and use punctuation correctly.
Since that was sent out, the earlier song was identified
and I provided a list of three different DrD shows where
it can be heard, from Jeff Morris' web site.
If you have problems with that, feel free to give me a
call while I'm doing my radio show, and I'll be happy
to explain netiquette to you then.
Barrett Hansen
Hahahahahaha! Weird Al!
Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha!
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is credited to S. Skylar. It's a similar idea but I would say that
Samuels' song qualifies as an original. Here are some of the lyrics
from the Kay record:
Hooray, hooray, I’m going away
With the man in the little white coat
I’m all dressed up like a Christmas packet
Cozy and warm in a cute straight jacket
Hooray, hooray, I’m going away
And I bet you’re wonderin’ where
Well, I just heard from Napoleon B.
He wants to have a little talk with me
Hooray, hooray, I’m going away with the man in the little white coat
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