NAPOLEON XIV

Second Coming

$17.98 CD

The name Jerry Samuels may elude even hardcore comedy fans, but his nom de plume Napoleon XIV was inescapable in 1966, when his novelty classic, "They’re Coming To Take Me Away," swept the country. The infectious ditty, warbled by a refugee from an insane asylum, benefited from ingenious effects and production that made it popular on radio stations across the nation. The record became a million-seller almost overnight and spawned several knock-off’s, as well as an album that soon became a valuable collector’s item. Rhino was weened on novelty records—in response to popular demand, we reissued the Napoleon XIV album on vinyl back in the ’80s—so it’s a natural home for The Second Coming. This CD includes the legendary LP in its entirety, plus three tracks from a lost follow-up album and recent recordings, all of which demonstrate how thin the line between genius and madness really is...plus, newly penned liner notes from novelty expert Dr. Demento!

Selection # 72402