They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
They're coming to take me away, --"They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" (1966) |
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"They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" (1966) is a record by Jerry Samuels, recorded under the name Napoleon XIV. Released on Warner Bros. Records. It was covered several times, by Amanda Lear for example.
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Story
The lyrics describe the effect on the mental health of an individual after a break-up. His paranoid thinking makes him believe that he is about to be transported to the "funny farm" (referring to a mental hospital), and he welcomes them as an end to his misery. The main character seems to be addressing an ex-girlfriend or wife, and describes his descent into madness after she has left him. However, the last verse of the song finishes: "They'll find you yet and when they do, they'll put you in the ASPCA, you mangy mutt", which was intended to imply that the singer is actually referring to a runaway dog.
Answer song
In the same year of its release came an answer song by 'Josephine XV': I'm Happy They Took You Away, Ha-Haa!.
In the Neerlandosphere
There were two translations "Ze Nemen Me Eindelijk Mee, Ha-Haaa!" by Tineke de Nooij, performed by Floris VI (Dick Rienstra), and under the same title, but with different lyrics, by Hugo de Groot (Cees De Man).
There was a reinterpretation by Bob Bouber under the title Ik wil me Donaldukkie terug (1968).
See also