Lyric discussion by turnstiles 

Cover art for Harlem Roulette lyrics by Mountain Goats, The

The hook in this song is so brilliant, I believe I know what he is speaking about, but I'm not completely sure.

Frankie Lymon was a teenage R&B singer in the late 1950's who came from a tough upbringing in New York City. He had some big hit songs, but then his voice changed and music styles changed, and he got hooked on drugs. The song tells the story of the night he died of an overdose.